Overview of the Student Conduct Process

• Institutional Integrity: The reputation of an organization draws on the integrity of each person. An institutional value stands behind every decision a conduct hearing officer makes. This principle includes the ability of an institution to be honest and trustworthy through the efforts of its people. This will in turn create a conduct process which is undivided in aim and purpose. • Constant Evaluation: While the process in place has been developed, tested, and tried, and is binding regarding institutional policy, as a human creation, the conduct process is imperfect. Accordingly, all parts of the system must remain open to growth through the process of group discussion and decision-making. At the end of each academic year, the process is evaluated to determine if revisions are necessary. • Quality Service: This principle stresses the University’s obligation to provide services in a timely and affirming manner.

It is also based on group ownership of the conduct process, which in turn enables all Conduct Hearing Officers to give input concerning the conduct process in order to maximize VUSC’s overall effectiveness. This quality of an organization is a practical outgrowth of group ownership because diverse perspectives yield efficiency.

Student Conduct for On-and Off-Campus Students

The student conduct process has been developed to support VUSC’s community standards as stated in the Student Handbook and Vanguard University Catalog. The student conduct process has been created to respond to violations of community standards for on and off-campus students and to respond appropriately within the boundaries outlined in this manual. All decisions of the various hearing officers are considered University responses to violations of community standards. The groups assigned to hear conduct cases are Conduct Hearing Officers and “The Student Affairs Conduct Committee” (SACC). This section of the student handbook is divided into the following sections:

1) Overview of the student conduct process 2) Conduct Process 3) Sanctions 4) Appeals Process

It is important to note that in respect to conduct proceedings, formal rules of evidence are not followed, and past conduct may be considered in the conduct process. The standard used is “preponderance of evidence” which means that the incident was more likely than not to have occurred. VU will attempt to structure the procedures so as to facilitate a reliable determination of the truth and be fair and reasonable. Conduct Hearings and SACC meetings may be recorded by Vanguard for accuracy. When the staff becomes aware of an alleged violation of community standards for on or off-campus students he/she will report the incident through the proper channels as needed and qualifying reports will be handled by the appropriate hearing officer or SACC member. Members of staff appointed as hearing officers or SACC members may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Associate Dean of Residence Life • Assistant Director of Residence Life • Assistant Director of Commuter Life • Resident Directors • Graduate Assistance • Athletic Director or Coach • Student Affairs Representatives • Resident Assistant (as student representatives as needed) • Appointed faculty or staff member

When assigned to hear a case, a hearing officer will confront behaviors of on and off-campus students, including students studying abroad, that are not in compliance with community standards. Hearing officers will hear the majority of all student infractions reported to them by members of the community. A Conduct Hearing Summons Letter and a Resolution Letter with sanctions may be used by hearing officers.

Sanctions are used to provide a framework in which to make a decision that addresses the situation, and attempts to produce growth and behavior changes in the life of the student.

Student Affairs Conduct Committee Meeting (SACC)

The main function of the SACC is to assume initial responsibility for cases that are of a more serious nature. The student may be referred to the SACC if a student has serious or multiple violations of any kind. The SACC is chaired by the Associate Dean of Residence Life, or an individual designated by the Associate Dean of Residence Life and will include at least one other individual. A SACC hearing will be recorded and comprised of two people appointed by the chair for each hearing. Members of the SACC may include, but are not limited to, the following:

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