/Institutions/Keuka-College/json/2017-2018/Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Keuka-College/json/2017-2018/Student-Handbook.json

Conduct Officer

Responsibilities

This section outlines the responsibilities of the conduct officer.

1. The conduct officer may carry out a conduct hearing if alleged violations are brought to their attention by Keuka College officials, employees, students, or members of the general public. The conduct officer will also determine if the referral can be disposed of administratively on a basis acceptable to both the conduct officer, and the accused party or parties. If such is the case, the decision imposed by the conduct officer is final.
2. Upon concluding any hearing, the conduct officer notifies the accused student in writing of the charge(s), the complaint(s), the date(s) of the alleged violation(s), and the Code of Conduct section(s) that are alleged to have been violated. A time shall be set for such a hearing, not more than 15 days after the student has been notified of their alleged violations of the Code of Conduct. Maximum hearing time limits may be extended by the conduct officer.

Hearing Before the Conduct Officer

1. During the hearing, no party may be represented by legal counsel. The student may be accompanied by an advisor who may be his or her parent(s), legal guardian(s), faculty, staff, or another student, but have a non-speaking role, and must sign a FERPA release form.
2. The conduct officer may hear and consider any relevant information. Efforts will be made to obtain the most reliable information available. The following may not be considered in the hearing process:
   1. Information obtained through a search of the student’s person, effects, or room without their consent or appropriate notification, unless obtained through a warrant or through conditions stated in Keuka College policies.
   2. The suspected student’s refusal to consent to a search or to give information concerning the alleged facts, if a criminal prosecution relating to the same violation is pending, independent of the conduct hearing. The conduct officer will notify the student in advance of the right to remain silent and will draw no inference from the student’s refusal to give information.

Disposition

After formulating a decision, the conduct officer will inform the student of the following possible outcome(s):

1. Dismiss the referral.
2. Impose appropriate outcomes to become operative immediately upon written notice to the student (unless otherwise specified). Outcomes are deferred in the event of an appeal. The results of the hearing are confidential (with the exception of cases of sexual assault or rape wherein federal law requires the victim to be notified).
3. Reassign the incident if the conduct officer is in doubt as to whether the student violated the Code of Conduct or if the matter may involve the suspension or expulsion of the student.
4. The coordinator of student conduct and community standards also considers all matters that may involve the suspension or expulsion of a student. Behavior that would warrant such separation includes that which is of a recidivist nature or that which poses a significant threat to the well being of the College students, or personnel.
5. The coordinator of student conduct and community standards may temporarily suspend (interim) any student pending the closing of a conduct hearing, if, in the judgment of the coordinator, the student’s continued presence at Keuka College poses a significant threat to the general welfare of the College personnel, students, or facilities. A student suspended under this section may seek review of this decision by requesting the coordinator to reconsider the decision within seven calendar days after the student has received the notice of interim suspension.