Hearing Board members are recruited through a nomination process during the academic year. Individual members of the College community may submit nominations (including self-nominations) in accordance with the timeline identified on the solicitation announcements. Hearing Officers may serve as Hearing Board members, advisors to students or advisors to a Hearing Board. The Coordinator of Student Conduct is responsible for constituting, training, advising, and assigning cases to members of the Hearing Board.
Each new nominee shall be required to successfully participate in a Hearing Board Training Seminar, generally conducted by the Coordinator of Student Conduct. Upon completion of the seminar, the Coordinator of Student Conduct confirms to the Vice President for Student Affairs that the student, faculty, or staff member possesses the knowledge, skills, and temperament to serve as a member of a Hearing Board. It is the Vice President’s responsibility to confirm that student nominees are in good standing with the College. The names of those eligible to serve as Hearing Board members are submitted to the College President for appointment.
In situations where the Coordinator of Student Conduct has reason to believe that a Hearing Board member has deliberately disregarded the rules, guidelines, procedures, or philosophy set forth in the Code of Conduct and College Conduct System, she or he may seek a review from the Vice President. The outcome of the review may be to confirm the member’s appointment or recommend to the College President a discontinuation of the appointment.
Hearing Board members who are placed on academic or College Probation, are unwilling or unable to maintain appropriate standards of conduct or competence, or who leave the College community, will also be recommended for removal from the Hearing Board.
Composition of the College Hearing Board – The Coordinator of Student Conduct calls on at least three qualified Hearing Board members to review a case of alleged student misconduct that is within the jurisdiction of the College Conduct System. It is the responsibility of the Hearing Board to determine responsibility and identify and describe any mitigating or aggravating factors they believe should impact the sanction(s) that are issued to the student(s) or student organization. Each Hearing Board will have at least one student member. The Coordinator of Student Conduct shall name a member of the Hearing Board to serve as the chair. The Chairperson shall be an individual who, based on their position at the College is authorized to serve as a Hearing Officer. All Hearing Board members participate as equals. It is the responsibility of the Hearing Board to conduct a hearing that meets the standards of the College Conduct System and is respectful of the sensitivities, confidentiality, and integrity of each participant. In cases where a Hearing Board member feels she or he is unable to hear a particular case without prejudice, the member will voluntarily remove himself or herself from that hearing.
The Coordinator of Student Conduct may name a non-voting advisor to the Hearing Board to observe all deliberations, advise on procedural matters, and interpretations of the Code of Conduct and other College policies.