Student Conduct Process for Behavioral Issues

General student conduct and behavior review process for alleged violations.

Process Overview

1. Incident occurs.
2. Incident report is submitted and the alleged violation is reviewed.
3. The case is reviewed based on the type of alleged violation.

Residential Life-Level Process

This process applies when charges are brought forward at the Residential Life level for a residential student with an alleged Resident Student Handbook violation.

1. Respondent receives a Notice to Appear (NTA).
2. Respondent accepts or denies responsibility.
   • If the respondent accepts responsibility, the respondent is provided sanctions and may appeal the sanctions.
   • If the respondent denies responsibility, a hearing occurs.
     • If the board finds the respondent responsible, sanctions are provided and the respondent may appeal the sanctions.
     • If the board finds the respondent not responsible, the respondent may appeal.

University-Level Process

This process applies when charges are brought forward at the University level for a student with an alleged Code of Student Conduct violation.

1. Respondent receives a Notice to Appear (NTA).
2. Respondent accepts or denies responsibility.
   • If the respondent accepts responsibility, the respondent is provided sanctions and may appeal the sanctions.
   • If the respondent denies responsibility, a hearing occurs.
     • If the board finds the respondent responsible, sanctions are provided and the respondent may appeal the sanctions.
     • If the board finds the respondent not responsible, the respondent may appeal.

1. Tape recorder is turned on.
2. Each participant announces their name and relationship to the hearing.

   In the room should be:

   • Coordinator of Student Conduct Program or designee, who serves as facilitator
   • Hearing Officer(s)
   • Student accused
   • Complainant
   • Others as appropriate
3. The charges are read.
   • Please do not use names of other individuals who were involved who are not present for the hearing. You may say “subject,” “other individual,” etc.
   • The University’s rule of evidence is based on a “more likely than not” perspective.
   • The student may be advised and accompanied by a member of the University community or an individual of their choice, who may, if requested by the student, present a statement to a hearing officer(s) on behalf of the student. Any other presentations and questioning of witnesses shall be conducted solely by the student.
4. The complainant makes an initial statement, providing relevant evidence that they may want to introduce, provided the accused student has had the opportunity to view that evidence in advance.
   • Witnesses on behalf of the complainant are called in individually.
   • Questions may be asked of the complainant or witnesses by anyone participating in the hearing, including the student accused, following the initial presentation. This presentation is given uninterrupted.
5. The student accused makes a presentation and may provide any relevant evidence they have. It is not necessary that the complainant see or be aware of this evidence in advance.
   • Witnesses on behalf of the student accused are called in individually.
   • Questions may be asked of the student accused or witnesses by anyone participating in the hearing, including the complainant, following the initial presentation. This presentation is given uninterrupted.
6. Follow-up questions are asked by all parties.
7. Closing statement is given by the complainant.
8. Closing statement is given by the student accused.
9. The Hearing Officer(s) clarifies any questions they may have prior to adjourning all parties involved.
10. Within three class days of the hearing, the findings will be announced. Sanctions, when appropriate, will be delivered in writing to the charged student.

10/09

1. Introductions.
2. Hearing facilitator states the purpose of the meeting.
3. Initial presentation of witnesses and supporting information by the appealing student.
4. Responding presentation of witnesses and supporting information facilitated by the appropriate conduct officer.
5. Follow-up questions by all parties.
6. Closing statements by both the student accused and hearing officer(s).
7. Deliberation by the University Student Conduct hearing panel.
8. Decision of the hearing panel delivered to the facilitator.

   Written response prepared.

9. Announcement of findings within 24 hours (business days when SVSU is in session) to the appealing student.

07/09

1. Tape recorder is turned on.
2. Each participant announces their name and relationship to the hearing.

   In the room should be:

   • Coordinator of Student Conduct Program or designee, who serves as facilitator
   • Hearing Officer(s)
   • Student(s) accused
   • Complainant
3. The charges are read.
4. The complainant makes an initial statement, providing any material evidence they may want to introduce, provided the accused student has had the opportunity to view that evidence in advance and it applies to all students involved.
   • Witnesses on behalf of the complainant are called in individually to testify.
   • Questions may be asked of the complainant or witnesses by anyone participating in the hearing, including the student accused, following the initial presentation. This presentation is given uninterrupted.
5. Each student involved makes an initial presentation individually. Each student may be individually questioned by hearing officer(s). Other students charged do not enter until material evidence or witnesses they are calling are introduced.
   • Witnesses on behalf of the accused are called in individually to testify.
   • Questions may be asked of the accused or witnesses by anyone participating in the hearing, including the complainant, following the initial presentation. This presentation is given uninterrupted.
6. Follow-up questions by all parties.
7. Closing statement given by the complainant.
8. Closing statement given by the student(s) accused.
9. The Hearing Officer(s) clarifies any questions they may have prior to adjourning all parties involved.
10. Within three class days of the hearing, the Hearing Officer(s) will announce findings. Sanctions, when appropriate, will be delivered in writing to the charged student.

07/09

Introductions.

1. State the purpose of the meeting.
2. Each student involved makes an initial presentation individually. Each student may be individually questioned by hearing officer(s). Other students charged do not enter until material evidence or witnesses they are calling are introduced.
   • Witnesses on behalf of the accused are called in individually to testify.
   • Questions may be asked of the accused or witnesses by anyone participating in the hearing, including the complainant, following the initial presentation. This presentation is given uninterrupted.
3. The complainant who imposed the sanction will present the rationale for the sanction. All students are present.
   • Complainant will make an initial statement, including witnesses.
   • Questions may be asked of the complainant by anyone participating in the hearing, including the accused or witnesses, following the initial presentation. This presentation is given uninterrupted.
4. Follow-up questions by all parties.
5. Closing statement given by the charged student(s).
6. Closing statement given by the complainant.
7. The Board Member(s) clarifies any questions they may have prior to adjourning all parties involved.
8. Deliberation by the University Student Conduct Hearing Panel.
9. Announcement of findings within 24 hours (business days when SVSU is in session).

1. Tape recorder is turned on.
2. Each participant announces their name and relationship to the hearing.

   In the room should be:

   • Coordinator of Student Conduct Program or designee, who serves as facilitator
   • Hearing Officer(s)
   • Student(s) accused
   • Complainant
3. The charges are read.
4. The complainant makes an initial statement, providing any material evidence they may want to introduce which applies to all students involved.
   • Witnesses on behalf of the complainant are called in individually to testify.
   • Questions may be asked of the complainant or witnesses by anyone participating in the hearing, including the student accused, following the initial presentation. This presentation is given uninterrupted.
5. Each student involved makes an initial presentation individually. Each student may be individually questioned by hearing officer(s). Other students charged do not enter until material evidence or witnesses they are calling are introduced.
   • Witnesses on behalf of the accused are called in individually to testify.
   • Questions may be asked of the accused or witnesses by anyone participating in the hearing, including the complainant, following the initial presentation. This presentation is given uninterrupted.
6. A period of time in which questions may be raised by all parties shall follow.
7. Closing statement given by the complainant.
8. Closing statement given by the student(s) accused.
9. The Hearing Officer(s) clarifies any questions they may have prior to adjourning all parties involved.
10. Within three class days of the hearing, the Hearing Officer(s) will announce findings. Sanctions, when appropriate, will be delivered in writing to the charged student.

11/14