Page 315 - SU Catalog 2017_18

314 Southern Union State Community College Southern Union State Community College
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Disciplinary Procedure Hearing Procedure
College disciplinary procedures assure the student’s right to procedural and substantive Attendance at Hearing
due process to safeguard the personal and confidential information concerning the student. 1. Disciplinary Committee hearings shall be private and confidential and will be limited
These procedures may differ from court procedures in the interest of student welfare and to persons officially involved. Persons present will include, but not be limited to, Dis-
confidence. Procedures and rules have been developed to assure fair hearing and appeal. ciplinary Committee members, the Dean of Students, the Chief of Police or designee,
The Dean of Students makes disciplinary decisions at the administrative level and the student requesting the hearing and his/her advisor, a recorder, and witnesses for
refers appropriate appeals to the College Disciplinary Committee where the fundamental both parties. Witnesses will be present only when giving testimony.
elements of due process are followed through a fair and reasonable hearing. The Dean may 2. The student has the right to have one advisor present during the hearing. The advisor
suspend a student at any time pending a formal hearing if, in his/her opinion, the presence of may not address the committee to give evidence on behalf of the student. In answering
a student on campus would seriously disrupt the normal operation of the College. The Dean or asking questions, the student may seek advice from the advisor before proceeding.
of Students is responsible for coordinating all disciplinary procedures and for maintaining 3. Minutes of the proceedings will be recorded. Minutes will be filed in the office of the
appropriate records of student conduct and disciplinary actions. Dean of Students and will be kept confidential.
Alleged violations of College regulations, with the exception of those related to academic Order of Hearing
matters, must be filed in writing with Campus Police in order to initiate disciplinary review. 1. Opening remark by Chairman of Disciplinary Committee.
Alleged violations of an academic nature must be filed in writing with the Dean of Students. 2. Review of charges and action taken in the case by the Dean of Students.
Any student, faculty member, or staff member may register a complaint. Once initiated, 3. Opening statement by the student requesting the hearing.
the Dean of Students will then inform the accused in writing, will request a conference, 4. Testimony and questioning of witnesses.
and will render a decision to the student regarding the case in question. The decision will Witnesses for the College will present testimony first. Both parties to the action
be one of the following: and the members of the Disciplinary Committee have the right to question wit-
1. Find the accused not guilty and dismiss the case. nesses. Following the testimony of all College witnesses, the student may call
2. Refer the student to a counseling agency. his/her witnesses.
3. Find the student guilty as charged and apply the appropriate penalty(s) as stated 5. Closing statement by the student. Handbook Student
under “Disciplinary Actions.” 6. Closing statement by the Dean of Students.
4. Refer the case directly to the College Disciplinary Committee. 7. Deliberations.
If the student is found guilty and the penalty assigned, the Dean of Students will also ex- The Disciplinary Committee will conduct its deliberations in closed and confidential
plain the student’s rights to appeal the case to the Disciplinary Committee. If the student session and will direct action to be taken to the Dean of Students.
wishes to appeal the case, s/he must give a written request, stating reasons for the appeal, 8. Any further consideration of the case must be through the President whose decision
to the Dean of Students within 48 hours. The Dean of Students will then have 48 business is final. Appeals must be in writing and submitted to the President within 48 business
hours to refer the case to the Disciplinary Committee along with his recommendation for hours of the Disciplinary Committee’s decision. The appeal must identify or state the
disciplinary action. The Committee will conduct a hearing under the guidelines specified reason that the student believes the decision of the committee should be overturned.
in “Hearing Procedures,” and will submit its decision in writing to the Dean of Students
who will in turn notify the student. Time Limit on Hearings
The Disciplinary Committee will make a determination on the total time allotted
COLLEGE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE for the hearing and may limit the time for all aspects of the hearing.
Recognizing the right of students to be granted protection by the inclusion of due process
in all matters of a disciplinary nature, the College assures due process through the action of DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS DEFINED
the College Disciplinary Committee. The following disciplinary actions will be administered according to the severity of the
The Disciplinary Committee is composed of three (3) faculty/staff members, one of infraction as determined by the Dean of Students, and/or the Disciplinary Committee.
whom will serve as chair, the Student Government Association president, and the residence 1. DISCIPLINARY REPRIMAND
hall president. Committee members may be substituted with personnel chosen by the Dean This may be an oral or written warning. It notifies a student that any further viola-
of Students when necessary. tion of college regulations may subject the student to more severe disciplinary actions.
The purpose of the Disciplinary Committee is as follows: 2. DISCIPLINARY PROBATION
1. Hear charges and evidence concerning student misconduct and to direct action to This is designed to encourage and require a student to cease and desist from violating
be taken in cases appealed by students and referred to the Committee by the Dean college regulations. Students on probation are notified in writing and are warned that
of Students. any further misbehavior on their part will lead to a more severe action.
2. Review and make recommendations to the Dean of Students on student disciplinary 3. DISCIPLINARY SUSPENSION
policies and procedures. This excludes a student from the college for a designated period of time. While