The Administrative Officer will be the hearing official and may invite student(s), faculty, staff or other experts whose knowledge may be beneficial to serve as the hearing panel, when appropriate. The hearing will consist of the following procedures:

The hearing will be closed, and all proceedings will be confidential. An exception will be allowed if both the charged student and the complainant agree to an open hearing.

The student charged may bring an advisor or legal counsel for assistance but must speak for himself or herself. The role of the advisor or legal counsel will be restricted solely to advising the student.

The University and the charged student will have the opportunity to call and examine witnesses and to present and question other evidence. The student is responsible for having his or her witnesses at the hearing. The University can assist in obtaining the attendance of students and University personnel.

The hearing official will exercise control over the hearing. Rules of evidence as used in courts will not be applied in this type of hearing. Any person who disrupts the hearing may be asked to leave the hearing. Repetitious or irrelevant evidence may be excluded. Witnesses (other than the accused) will be present only during the time they are addressing the panel.

The standard of proof that will be used is the preponderance of evidence standard. In other words, a student will be found in violation of the Code of Conduct only when the evidence demonstrates that it is more likely than not that the student committed the violation. The weight and credibility of the evidence is considered.

The hearing panel will deliberate in closed session in order to render a decision.

The Administrative Officer will be responsible for delivering the decision in writing to the accused student. The decision shall include a summary of the findings and if the student is found in violation, the sanctions imposed.

The decision of the hearing official shall be final unless the student files an appeal.