Office of Student Life
Student Conduct

Student Conduct Hearing Procedures

This is a general outline for administrative or University Conduct Board (UCB) hearings. Individual hearings may vary based on circumstances. Please contact your hearing coordinator with specific questions about your hearing.  

Opening and Purpose

  • The hearing coordinator will begin the hearing with an opening statement before asking the respondent, and – if applicable – board members, to introduce themselves for the record.
  • If respondent has an advisor, they will also introduce themself for the record. The hearing coordinator will provide instructions to the advisor, specifically that while the advisor may write notes to the respondent, they may not directly address the hearing coordinator, UCB members or witnesses.
  • The hearing coordinator will review the purpose of the hearing.

Charges

  • The hearing coordinator will read the charge(s) in the case and ask the respondent if there are any charges they wish to accept responsibility for before proceeding. 

Opening Statement

  • The respondent can make brief opening remarks to explain why they asked for a hearing and what their desired outcome is. 
  • The opening statement should be brief because the respondent will have the opportunity to offer additional testimony and evidence later in the hearing. 

Presentation of Witnesses

  • The hearing coordinator will bring witnesses into the Zoom meeting individually.
  • The hearing officer or conduct board can ask the witnesses questions first.
  • The respondent can ask the witnesses questions next.
  • The process is repeated for each witness individually.
  • The hearing coordinator’s responsibility is to determine relevancy. They may ask a respondent or witness to focus on information relevant to the hearing, rephrase the question or move to the next topic. 

Closing Statement

  • The respondent will have the opportunity to make brief closing remarks.
  • The respondent may choose to summarize the critical information shared (or not shared) during the hearing and any additional information, including sanction recommendations.

Closing the Hearing and Deliberations

  • The hearing coordinator will share brief closing information and the hearing will conclude.
  • If the hearing is a University Conduct Board hearing, the board will deliberate and consider each charge under the Code of Student Conduct.
  •  The respondent will receive an email with the outcome, which will list any violations and assigned sanctions. If the hearing coordinator or UCB finds no violations, the hearing outcome letter will provide that information and advise that the case has been closed.