Jenzabar University

The dean of students and/or her/his designee(s) is responsible for the interpretation and implementation of university policy regarding student rights and responsibilities. In the event that a student violates the code of conduct, he/she will be given due process according to the guidelines of the conduct process and the student’ rights and responsibilities. If the dean of students or his/her designee considers there to be imminent danger of harm to person, property or obstruction of university life, she/he may suspend a student from university classes/activities or remove a student from residence until a formal hearing is conducted.

1. Students are responsible for reading the Student Code of Conduct and Policies and being familiar with its contents. Not knowing its content does not preclude the student from being responsible for the information provided.
2. Students will be notified of the date, time and place of the conduct hearing at least 72 hours (three business days) in advance. The notice will include a description of the policies allegedly violated and the name of the person filing the report. Students will be notified of all conduct proceedings and results through their Dominican University email account unless informed otherwise by the conduct officer(s). Student may request a waiver of the 72 hour notice to request an expedited hearing.  When possible, those requests will be accepted.
3. Students may be assisted at hearings by only one Dominican University faculty or staff member. The faculty or staff member cannot speak for the accused student; the faculty or staff member can only advise the student. Communication from the advisor can only happen between the accused student and the faculty or staff member and can be limited at the discretion of the conduct officer. Students must notify the conduct officer if they intend to bring a faculty or staff member and must provide the faculty or staff member’s name at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. No one other than the principals in the case, one advisor per student, any direct witnesses, and conduct officers are allowed to be present.
4. The conduct officer(s) determination will be made on the basis of whether it is more likely than not that the accused student violated the student code of conduct.
5. The accused student(s) have a right to review a list of witnesses in advance of the hearing and review written statements in advance by contacting the conduct officer(s) hearing the case.
6. Both the accused student(s) and complainant(s) will have the opportunity to bring direct witnesses and present information. The accused student(s) will have the right to speak on his/her behalf, hear and respond to witnesses, and review any written statements at the hearing. Students are not allowed to have copies of any of the materials. If the accused student is bringing witnesses, they must inform the conduct officer at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing.
7. The decision in each case will be based on information presented at the hearing. The conduct history of the accused student(s) will not be used in determining the student’s culpability, but will be used in determining the appropriate sanction(s). If the alleged violation is a pattern offence (relationship violence, stalking etc.) and the evidence of pattern is relevant, an exception will be made.
8. A decision will be presented to the student within 72 hours (three business days) of the hearing or as defined by the conduct officer(s).
9. All witnesses, in any hearing, must attend if called. If a student is called as a witness and does not appear, this will be considered a failure to comply, and the student is subject to disciplinary action. Witnesses must be truthful and appropriate in all their testimony.
10. If the accused student fails to appear for the hearing, the conduct hearing will be held in the student’s absence.
11. The conduct officer(s) will deliberate in private and render a decision based on the information presented at the hearing.
12. If there are multiple conduct officers, decisions will be made by a majority vote.
13. No recording devices of any kind are allowed.
14. A student may request a review of the decision of a hearing. See the Review Process section for clarification on how to appropriately request a review of a decision.
15. A student may waive their due process rights and accept responsibility and a sanction. This action may be initiated by the student or the University.