The purpose of a University Hearing Board is to receive testimony when violations of the code of conduct are egregious or of a complicated matter; testimonies are heard from the designated investigator(s), the complainant, the respondent and other witnesses. The hearing procedures are to respect fundamental standards of fairness, they are not intended to be equivalent to those employed in a civil or criminal judicial process. They are set with an aim of providing the hearing board with the best opportunity for determining the truth of the matter’s dispute.
The Dean of Students or designee and Title IX Coordinator or designee (when required), will be responsible for assembling the University Hearing Board. The University Hearing Board is comprised of up to eighteen (18) members. Students – up to eight (8) members; faculty – up to five (5) members; and staff – up to five (5) members.
A three-person Appeals Board is drawn from members of the University Hearing Board, all of whom did not serve on the board for the initial hearing. The appellate panel reviews appeal requests submitted by the Dean of Students designee.
The Dean of Students or designee will have final authority to approve all those serving on the hearing board panel and the Appeals Board. The non-voting Chair to the board is the Dean of Students or designee, with responsibility for training the panel, conducting preliminary investigations, and ensuring a fair process for the party bringing the complaint and the respondent. In the event of a resignation from the board, the Dean of Students or designee will solicit a replacement from the representative group in which they serve; faculty, staff, or student.
The Provost appoints the faculty, the Dean of Students appoints the staff and the Director of Student Conduct selects students through an application process.