The Michigan Daily - Monday, October 12, 1992- Page 7 Statement of Students' Rights and Responsibilities 12.2 (con't from pg. 4) Misuse of the disciplinary proce- dures, including (a) failure to obey the summons of a hearing body or judicial advisor. (b) knowingly falsifying or misrep- resenting information before a hearing body. (c) disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a hearing (d) knowingly initiating a disciplin- ary proceeding without cause. (e) attempting to influence the im- partiality of a member of a hearing body prior to, and/or during the course of , a hearing. (f) harassment and/or intimidation of a member of a hearing body or of a witness prior to, during and/or after a disciplinary proceeding. (g) failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by the hearing body (h) influencing or attempting to in- fluence another person to commit an abuse of the disciplinary procedures. B. Actions off campus While the conduct of students on campus is of concern to members of the academic community, student actions off campus may also negatively affect the security of the community and/or the integrity of the educational process. The University has differentiated these by the nexus to the institution and the egre- giousness of the violation. While all illegal conduct by students is abhorrent to the University, the ability to gather evidence, including testimony of wit- nesses, limits the institution from pursu- ing most violations which occur at a distance from the University. 1. The following actions committed off campus will result in a challenge through the student judicial system if they occur at University-affiliated events or facilities, including Greek chapters and coops: (a) illegal use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of alcohol or other drugs (b) physical assault, battery, and endangerment (c) murder (d) arson (e) harassment (f) hazing 2. The following violent actions, if they occur in Ann Arbor, can be chal- lenged through the student judicial sys- tem: (a) physical assault, battery, and endangerment (b) murder (c) arson 3. The following actions, regardless of where they occur, can be challenged through the student judicial system: (a) sexual assault (b) rape (c) harassment (d) fraud against the University Section VI: Regents' Bylaw 2.01 The Board of Regents of the Univer- 4sity of Michigan in Regents' Bylaw 2.01 -has given the President of the University the authority for "the maintenance of health, diligence, and order among the students." In cases in which student behavior interferes with the University's ability to maintain those conditions, the President, working through designated University officials, normally will refer a student case to the hearing procedures outlined in the procedures section of this document. PROCEDURES FOR RESPOND- ING TO VIOLATION OF THESE STANDARDS I. Purposes of the Procedures These standards and procedures have been established by the University to protect its educational purpose, to pro- vide for the orderly conduct of its activi- ties, to protect the victims of crime, and to safeguard the interests of the Univer- sity community. These disciplinary pro- cedures used by the University are con- sidered part of its educational process and reflect the philosophy of peer educa- tion and evaluation. Hearings or appeals ,onducted as a part of this process are not courts of law and they are not subject to many of the rules of civil or criminal hearings. Because some of the viola- tions of these standards are also viola- tions of law, students may be account- able to both civil authorities and to the University for their actions. Disciplin- ary action at the University will nor- mally proceed not withstanding any civil or criminal proceeding. II. Emergency Suspension If a student's actions indicate that his or her continued presence on campus or participation in University activities poses an imminent danger to persons or property, the Vice President for Student Affairs may take emergency action through an immediate suspension. Be- fore, or within 24 hours after, such emer- gency suspension is imposed, the stu- dent shall be given an opportunity to appear before a designee of the Vice President for Student Affairs. At such time the student may make a statement and present evidence bearing on the al- leged violation. If the emergency sus- pension is continued, the student is en- titled to a formal hearing within seven (7) calendar days or as soon as practi- cable after the accused student is pre- pared to participate in a hearing. III. Filing Complaints, Notice and Investigation A. Filing a complaint Individuals are encouraged to file complaints when they believe there has been a violation of this policy. The formal mechanisms are designed to af- ford due process protection to the indi- viduals involved, including time to pre- pare statements, but also resolve cases in a timely manner. Those filing complaints under these standards should contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, in the Fleming Building. A judicial advi- sor, located within the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, adminis- ters the procedures and guidelines of these standards. The judicial advisor will consult the Office of the General Coun- sel regarding such complaints. All complaints must be filed within one year of the date of the offense. B. Notice and Investigation The judicial advisor will make writ- ten notification within ten (10) working days after the filing of the complaint, as well as provide the accused with a com- plete copy of the complaint. All records and documents to be presented to the hearing committee will be made avail- able to both the accused and complain- ant. The judicial advisor will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed with mediation or a formal hearing. Such a review ordinarily will involve inter- viewing any complaining witnesses and the accused, as well as other necessary witnesses. If the judicial advisor deter- mines there is enough evidence for a hearing committee to find a violation of the policy, a formal hearing process or mediation will be initiated. If the judicial advisor determines there is insufficient evidence that a vio- lation has occurred, both the accused and the individual filing the complaint will be notified in writing. When a serious violation has been reported and it appears that a member of the University community is in serious and continuing danger, the judicial advi- sor wilImove the case ahead of others to insure a timely hearing. IV. Mediation The University believes a strong sys- tem of mediation of disputes will en- courage reporting and resolution of com- plaints. Mediation is appropriate when all parties involved (accuser(s) and ac- cused) voluntarily agree to engage in the mediation process. Mediation will in- volve resolution of the incident, includ- ing sanctioning when needed. If media- tion fails, the case will be forwarded for a formal hearing. To ensure these standards are ap- plied with a proper regard to their goals and purposes, such mediation will occur solely through or at the direction of the office of the judicial advisor. Other aca- demic and administrative offices may provide counseling and support for stu- dents. These offices include Counseling Services, Multicultural StudentProgram- ming, the Ombudsman, the Center for the Education of Women, Sexual As- sault Prevention and Awareness Center, the Department of Public Safety, Ser- vices for Students with Disabilities, the Lesbian and Gay Male Programs Office and faculty and staff within the schools and colleges. V. Formal Hearing The hearing board will consist of six students. At the beginning of each aca- demic year, students will be randomly selected from the student body to serve as potential hearing panelists until apool of 50 eligible students is obtained. Se- lected students may be excused by the judicial advisor if service could cause an undue hardship. The hearing will be chaired by a faculty or staff member drawn from a panel selected by the Student Relations Committee of Senate Advisory Com- mittee on University Affairs. The chair conducts the hearing and is a non-voting member of the committee. The chair selects a hearing committee by lot from the eligible pool of panelists. The judi- cial advisor shall provide appropriate training for the faculty and student panel in due process and questioning tech- niques prior to being assigned to a hear- ing committee. The chair shall ensure that panelists are both dedicated to their duty as well as unbiased. The chair's selections may be reviewed by both the complainant and the accused. The complainant or the accused may challenge a committee member based on bias or other cause, including the chair. The committee mem- ber shall be disqualified if the chair de- termines that the challenge is justified. The chair shall be disqualified if the Vice President for Student Affairs deter- mines that the challenge is justified. The chair may consult with the Gen- eral Counsel's office before, during, and after the hearing regarding procedural matters. The judicial advisor is respon- sible for sending the complete report of the investigation to the hearing commit- tee, and may be called as a witness. The accused retains the right to confront all witnesses, and the accused, complain- ant, and panelists may question wit- nesses. Either the complainant or the ac- cused may offer sworn affidavits to the panel for consideration. Both parties may be accompanied and counseled by an advisor of their choice who will be per- mitted to attend, but not participate in, the proceedings. Students with commu- nication disorders may have an advisor speak for them. The accused must be informed of his or her right to remain silent, and may not be compelled to be a witness against himself or herself. Committee delibera- tions will be in private. The chair will communicate in writing the results of the hearing to the accused and to the complainant. The letter communicating the results of the hearing will include a separate finding of facts in the case and how the facts were applied. If all members of the committee de- termine, by clear and convincing evi- dence, that the accused student has violated the policy, they will come to consensus on an appropriate sanction. If the accused accepts the finding and sanc- tion, the result will be communicated to the Vice President for Student Affairs who will enforce the sanctions. VI. Alternate Hearing Process The accused student may waive a full board hearing and request an admin- istrative hearing. These hearings are con- ducted by hearing officers appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs. Administrative hearings will be used during the summer when student board members and faculty chairs are unavail- able. An accused student has the option of delaying his or her hearing until the fall term, unless delaying the hearing causes imminent danger to persons or property. VII. Appeals If the accused student disputes the finding of the hearing committee or the administrative hearing officer, or the recommended sanction, he or she may appeal the decision. Such an appeal must be submitted in writing to the Vice Presi- dent for Student Affairs within ten (10) class days after the notice of the decision of the hearing panel. Upon petition, this time line may be extended. The appeal statement should contain the grounds for the appeal. Grounds for the appeal include: 1. the procedures described in this policy were not followed 2. the decision was clearly erroneous 3. the sanction was not appropriate for the violation. Appeals will be limited to a review of the record of the hearing, written statements submitted by parties and any new evidence. The Vice President will forward the student's letter of appeal and all records of the investigation and hearing to the appeals board. The stu- dent may challenge any member of the appeals board for bias. The board mem- bershall be disqualified if the Vice Presi- dent for Student Affairs determines that the challenge is justified. The Appeals Board is composed of three members who are to serve for the academic year and hear all appeals. They are appointed as follows: a student who is elected from and by the 50 students comprising the hear- ing panel a faculty member who is ap- pointed by SACUA an administrator who is appointed by the President of the University. Alternate members may be appointed to the Appeals Board as needed. Decisions by the appeals board will be by majority vote. The appeals board must make a decision within ten (10) working days of receiving the appeal. It may take any of the following actions: (a) affirm the original decision con- cerning the violation of the policy (b) affirm the original decision con- cerning the disciplinary sanction imposed (c) reverse the original decision concerning the violation of the policy and direct that the complaint be dis- missed (d) reverse the original decision concerning the violation of the policy and direct that a new hearing be held before a new hearing board (e) set aside the original decision concerning the sanction and impose a different sanction The appeal board will notify the Vice President for Student Affairs in writing of its decision, who will communicate the decision to the student. The student who filed the appeal may not make any further appeal from this decision. An exception to this rule can be made when a student has been tried in a civil or criminal court for the incident which resulted in a campus hearing and has been found not guilty in criminal court or has a decision in his/her favor in civil court. In this situation, a student may petition for an appeal before an Appeals Board, regardless of earlier appeals or length of time since the hearing committee's decision. VIII. Records Detailed records will be maintained by thejudicial advisor about any actions undertaken under the policy. Accord- ingly, records will be maintained by the judicial officer of formal complaints, hearings, mediations, resolutions, find- ings, sanctions and appeals. Two sets of records of these data will be maintained, an expunged version for public review and aconfidential version for permanent records. Confidentiality of the records will be maintained to the extent required by law, including the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. Records will be maintained in such as way that data on violations of this policy are easily avail- able to the public. The judicial advisor will annually compile and release de- tailed statistics and examples of the ad- ministration and enforcement of the policy. However, some data may not be releasable if the identity of individuals involved would be revealed. IX. Sanctions Hearing panels should fashion sanc- tions commensurate with the offending conduct. Because education may be the most effective and appropriate means of addressing behavior that violates these standards in a University community, the University encourages hearing pan- els to design sanctions which include an educational element. One purpose of the sanctions is to help students understand their behavior in the context of this aca- demic community. It is inappropriate for the University to try to change student's convictions; however, it remains appro- priate for the University to ask a student to change behavior. Sanctions should be designed to deter the student from be- haviors which harm, intimidate, harass, or threaten others. Regrettably, some conduct is so harmful to members of the University community or deleterious to the educational process that it requires more punitive sanctions. Hearing panels should impose such sanctions where ap- propriate. Certain factors should be considered in fashioning the sanctions. These in- clude the intent of the accused, the effect of the conduct on the victim and the University community, whether the stu- dent has violated the standards in the past, and whether sanctions such as edu- cation and community service are likely to change the student's conduct. The most severe sanctions, suspension from the University and expulsion, should be imposed only in very serious cases, in- cluding the willful failure to comply with a lesser sanction. The range of potential sanctions is as follows: A. For any Offense 1. Formal Reprimand: The indi- vidual receives a formal reprimand for violating the standards of behavior and a warning that future violations will be dealt with more harshly. 2. Community Service: The indi- vidual performs an appropriate amount of public service that is both beneficial to the community and likely to assist the individual in understanding the harm caused by his or her conduct. 3. Class Attendance: The individual enrolls in and completes a class that helps the person understand why the standards prohibit the conduct involved. 4. Restitution: The individualmakes restitution to the victim for actual loss. 5. University Housing Transfer or Removal: The individual is transferred to a another room or housing unit, or is removed from University housing en- tirely. Additional policies identifying responsibilities of students living in University Housing are available in the document Guidelines for Community Living. The disciplinary process and sanctions described in that document may be applied as appropriate. 6. Suspension from Specific Courses or Activities: The individual is removed from a course or activity; or the indi- vidual is moved to a different section of a course. 7. Combined Sanctions: A combi- nation of the sanctions described above may be imposed. B. For offenses which are violent, dangerous, repeated, or a willful failure to comply with a lessor sanction 8. Suspension: The individual is suspended from the University for a de- fined period of time. When a student is suspended during a term, his or her tu- ition is forfeited. The Vice-President for Student Affairs shall consult with the dean, chair, or director in the unit in which the student is enrolled before sus- pension is imposed. 9. Expulsion: The individual is ex- pelled from the University. When a stu- dent is expelled during a term, his or her tuition is forfeited. The Vice-President for Student Affairs shall consult with the dean, chair, or director in the unit in which the student is enrolled before ex- pulsion is imposed. The sanctions imposed under these standards do not diminish or replace the penalties available under generally ap- plicable civil or criminal laws. Students are reminded that many violations of the standards, including harassment and other discriminatory behavior, may vio- late various state and federal laws. EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE STUDENT COMMUNITY ON THEIR RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILI- TIES AND THESE STANDARDS A. Education and Prevention The prevention of behavior that vio- lates these standards and the establish- ment of effective procedures with due concern for all parties require a thought- ful educational program. 1. The University will provide re- sources and time for the prevention of, and education about conduct that vio- lates these standards. The University will provide information to deans, stu- dent affairs staff, chairs, and directors in each unit concerning: (a) student rights and responsibilities under this policy; (b) how complaints are filed; (c) sum- maries of cases; and (d) sources of support and information for victims and respondents. 2. Deans and heads of major administrative units are strongly encouraged to discuss these standards at meetings of faculty, staff, and teaching assistants. In addition, the deans and heads of major administra- tive units are urged to examine practices and behavior within their own units that may be inequitable or unjust to students. 3. Training programs for residen- tial advisors, those who meet students in crisis situations, and others serving in an advising capacity to students, will include training about referrals, resources, and methods for handling conduct covered by this policy. 4. The Office of Student Affairs will develop an overall educational program for students dealing with issues covered in this statement and will provide information, definition, support, identification of resources and exploration of behavioral alternatives. This educational program should be directed toward, but not restricted to, new undergraduae and graduate/ professional students. 5. The University will publish annually this statement and the procedures, including the resources available to advise, counsel, and assist in the mediation or reporting of violations of these standards. The information will explain how to utilize University-wide and school-specific resources. B. Exit Interviews The University will survey annually a sample of departing students to measure the existence and frequency of incidents that violate these standards, with a focus on violent or intimidating conduct, as well as survey all participants in the judicial system. 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