| In 2009-2010, Student Conduct and Community Standards addressed 37 cases involving student organizations. |
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Overview of Process
The conduct process is used to determine if a student or student organization engaged in behavior that violates the Code of Student Conduct. Additional details are available in the Berkeley Campus Code of Student Conduct, including exceptions to this process.
COMPLAINT RECEIVED
When Student Conduct receives information that indicates that a student may have engaged in behavior that appears to violate the Code of Student Conduct, we inform the student of this and ask the student to schedule a meeting to discuss the incident.
INFORMAL RESOLUTION
An informal resolution is reached in the initial meeting with conduct staff and the student. If the student accepts the resolution, s/he agrees to complete sanctions and the case is resolved. Student Conduct may make other decisions at this time, such as determining that more investigation is needed, to issue a notification or to drop the case.
FORMAL RESOLUTION - HEARING
If the student does not want to accept the sanctions or prefers to have a hearing, of if Student Conduct believes it is appropriate, the case will be forwarded to a hearing. Prior to the hearing, the student will be asked to submit any information for the hearing body to review. The student will also receive a copy of the hearing packet to review prior to the hearing. For more detailed information about hearings, see Hearing Information.
DEAN'S DECISION - SANCTIONS
After the hearing, the decision letter is issued by the Dean of Students. Although the Dean must uphold the fining of responsibility, s/he may adjust the sanctions that the hearing panel recommends.. Sanctions aim to help a student reflect on his/her actions, to learn how to act in ways that are congruent with the community expectations, to repair any harm caused, and sometimes to remove the student from campus if warranted.
APPEALS
Appeals may be made in writing to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and must be based on new information not available at the time of the hearing, significant procedural error, or other good cause.
RESOLUTION
Student Conduct strives to resolve cases in a timely fashion. We must balance our need for adequate time to investigate alleged violations with the impact those alleged violations have on the campus community and individual students involved in the process. The Code currently requires that a student receive a formal notice of charges 30 days after a complaint is filed. Forty-five (45) days after that, a hearing is scheduled if the case has not been resolved. Students should also note that the campus conduct process is separate from legal proceedings and may occur simultaneously.
