Procedures • A faculty member, administrator, staff member or student who has reason to believe that a violation of the Conduct Code has been committed by one or more students must notify the Dean of Student Services in writing. • The Dean of Students will investigate and gather evidence relevant to the case and listen to student testimonies. The Dean of Student Services reserves the right to consult with the Director of Central Services, Security Office, the Housing Manager, the Executive Vice President and/or the President for recommendations in determining disciplinary actions. • Based on this investigation, the Dean of Student Services or his or her designee decides whether the evidence warrants further action through either a Conduct Council or a standard disciplinary sanction. • Students who receive a disciplinary sanction of disciplinary probation or dismissal have the right to appeal their case to the President of the university. The President of the university reserves the right to convene a Conduct Council if necessary to further investigate the case. Students have the right to waive their right to appeal before the Conduct Council by completing an appropriate form. • If it is deemed necessary, the Dean of Student Services or his or her designee notifies the President in writing whether or not the evidence warrants convening a Conduct Council. • The Dean of Student Services or his or her designee then selects two faculty members and one administrative staff to serve on the Conduct Council. The Dean also informs the SGA for student representation. • If there is a case for convening a Conduct Council, the Dean of Student Services or his or her designee notifies in writing the student(s) suspected of committing the violation of the date, time and place of the Conduct Council’s meeting. Notification to a student’s AUD email address of record is considered official. • The Conduct Council reserves the right to take adequate time to schedule and conduct its proceedings. These proceedings will include interviewing the student(s) involved and, if required, calling witnesses to testify and conducting a follow-up investigation prior to reaching a decision on the innocence or guilt of the student(s) involved and, in the latter case, deciding appropriate disciplinary measures. • The Conduct Council must inform the student(s) involved in writing of the alleged violation of the Conduct Council and of the verdict reached and disciplinary measures decided by the Conduct Council. The letter to the student(s) must be dated and signed by the Chair of the Conduct Council, and a copy must be sent to the President, Director of Central Services, the Registrar, the Chief Financial Officer (if the student is dismissed from the university), and the Housing Manager (if the student is dismissed from the residence halls). • Before any final disciplinary action may be taken against the student(s) for violation of the Conduct Code, the student(s) is/are entitled to have 72 hours (three working days) to appeal the Conduct Council’s verdict to the President. The AUD Grievance Officer is available to guide the student through the appeal process. • The President will respond to the appeal in writing. A copy of the President’s dated and signed response to the student(s) will be sent to the Chair of the Conduct Council. • The President has the right to overturn the Conduct Council’s verdict or suggest a reconvening of the Conduct Council to reexamine the case. In exceptional cases, the President will inform the Chair of the Conduct Council in writing of the decision to overturn the verdict and the reasons behind this decision.
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AUD . Student Handbook . 2013-2014