11. To be notified in writing within five (5) business days of the outcome of the hearing. Notification could include the finding, judicial sanctions, or information concerning the date, time, and location of a secondary judicial hearing in the event the case is forwarded to a different judicial officer/board. 12. To be informed of the appeal process and given the opportunity to file a request for appeal within five (5) business days of the date of the hearing outcome document. (See “Appeal Process” for further explanation.) Communications With the Student Regarding the Disciplinary Matter The University judicial process is an educational process. University officials communicate and engage with the student throughout the judicial process to promote student learning and so the student assumes responsibility for managing his/her own affairs. University staff interact with the student and his/her parent or guardian to the degree that it is appropriate and permissible by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). When doing so, the intent of the interaction with the parent or guardian is to inform the parent or guardian and appropriately engage them in promoting the educational experience of the student. University staff does not interact with legal counsel who is representing a student. Judicial Procedures Initial Review or Hearing 1. Incident report: Members of the University community and nonaffiliate persons may file a report regarding the behavior of a student. If the reported information constitutes a potential violation of the Student Conduct Code and/or University standards, policies, and procedures, the University will pursue the matter through the University Judicial System, beginning with either an initial review, or a hearing. 2. Initial review: The assigned University judicial officer/board reviews the report, notifies the involved student(s) of the report, gathers relevant information, and interviews any witnesses. The judicial officer/board may elect not to interview a witness who does not have first-hand knowledge of the incident, presents information that is deemed to be unnecessary for the deliberation process, or presents information about the involved student’s character. After the judicial officer/board has gathered all relevant information, the judicial officer/board conducts a hearing or refers the case to another judicial officer/board. 88
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