In all cases, students or groups may elect to proceed through an informal process. If the matter is resolved through one of the informal processes set forth below, the charged student or group waives his/her/its right to appeal.
In certain cases, as determined by the Office of Student Conduct, the student may accept responsibility for the alleged violation at an educational conference. In this case, the conduct officer will administer a learning action plan, to which the student must agree to abide. If the student agrees to the proposed resolution, they waive their right to a hearing and appeal, the resolution becomes final, and the outcome if recorded but does not become part of the student's conduct history. If the student accepts responsibility but is unable to agree on the proposed learning action plan or they deny responsibility for the violations, the case will be forwarded to a formal hearing to determine responsibility and, if necessary, an appropriate sanction.
The Student Conduct Administrator or designee may refer certain low-level, first-time offenses to the Restorative Resolution Process. In this process, the student or group accepts responsibility for the alleged conduct and engages in a process of self-reflection. Both the student or group and the Student Conduct Administrator or designee recommend appropriate sanctions. If the Student Conduct Administrator or designee determines that the student or group has complied with the process, the sanctions are imposed. After the student or group has complied with the sanctions, the matter is closed and the conduct does not create a conduct record for that student or group. If the student or group fails to comply with the process or sanctions, formal conduct charges may be issued.
Mediation is a collaborative and confidential process where students who have a conflict with one another identify issues, develop options, consider alternatives, and develop a consensual agreement facilitated by a neutral third party. Mediation can take place in lieu of an administrative hearing when all parties involved have agreed to mediation, pending the approval of the Student Conduct Administrator or designated representative. Mediation may be offered by the Student Conduct Administrator as an alternative to a conduct hearing for all alleged offenses which do not involve drugs, repeat alcohol violations, violence, a threat of violence, sexual misconduct and sexual assault, or any matter which in the sole discretion of the University gives rise to a safety concern. It is an alternative to filing formal charges and does not result in a conduct file.
