Page 83 - Smith College Student Handbook 16-17
P. 83

The Academic Honor Board is the committee of students and faculty responsible for upholding the Academic Honor Code and hearing cases
               of alleged infractions of academic rules and regulations. Its jurisdiction and procedures are outlined below and referenced in Article X of the
               Student Government Association Constitution and Article VII of the Bylaws. Violations of Academic Honesty occurring in a Five-College
               course are adjudicated by the host institution.

               ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENT
               Through this process, a college administrator designated by the College Conduct Board hears a complaint of a code violation, meets with the
               student who is the subject of the complaint, and determines the appropriate corrective action. Participation in this process is voluntary. To
               participate, a student who is the subject of the complaint must agree to the administrative settlement process, accept responsibility for the
               alleged code violation(s), acknowledge that there is no new evidence for the college to consider, and acknowledge no evidence of bias or
               conflict of interest in having the designated administrator decide the outcome. Students participating in Administrative Settlement will sign an
               agreement (i) waiving their right to the College Conduct Board hearing and appeal process, and (ii) accepting the outcome of the
               Administrative Settlement. An Administrative Settlement cannot result in removal from housing or recommendation for suspension, dismissal
               or permanent separation.

               APPEAL
               Appeals of the decisions of the College Conduct Board must be submitted to the Appeals Board within seven days of the date on the board's
               decision letter. Extensions will be granted only for good cause in extraordinary situations, such as hospitalization. The Appeals Board is a
               three member committee consisting of the dean of students (or designee), a member of the SGA cabinet appointed by the SGA president and
               one additional member of the administration appointed by the dean of students. The Appeal Board reviews the evidence presented to the
               College Conduct Board and evaluates whether there are grounds for the appeal. The only grounds for appeal that will be accepted by the
               Appeals Board are (i) gross error in procedure likely to have affected the outcome, (ii) violation of the student's rights as defined in the
               student handbook, (iii) new evidence that was unavailable at the time of the College Conduct Board hearing, or (iv) bias demonstrated by a
               member of the College Conduct Board, other than a conflict of interest which could have been raised prior to the College Conduct Board
               hearing. Disagreement with the board's decision is not, by itself, grounds for an appeal.

               COLLEGE CONDUCT BOARD AND THE COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION
               The student-run College Conduct Board ensures that students uphold the standards adopted for the student community. The College
               Conduct Board hears cases of alleged infractions of non-academic rules and makes decisions about the outcomes of these cases. The College
               Conduct Board carefully considers the nature of the complaint and the board’s responsibility to the complainant, the student who is the
               subject of the complaint and the greater college community. The College Conduct Board has the authority to enforce decisions and to
               impose penalties or sanctions. The primary goals of such sanctions are restorative, focusing on education and rehabilitation.

               The administration plays an important role in ensuring that the standards specified in the Code of Student Conduct, and this handbook, are
               maintained. Hearing advisors guide and provide continuity from year to year for the College Conduct Board. The administration generally
               refers cases of alleged infractions of the code to the Conduct Board, taking administrative action only when circumstances make that the best
               option and following consultation with the College Conduct Board. The board may also refer cases to the dean of students for action. Its
               jurisdiction and procedures are outlined and referenced in Article X of the Student Government Association Constitution and Article VIII of
               the Bylaws.

               DISCRIMINATORY HARASSMENT
               When a formal complaint of an alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct describes Discriminatory Harassment, an investigation,
               usually by the dean of the college or the dean’s designee, is required and findings will be presented to the Community Conduct Board as part
               of the hearing process. According to the Student Government bylaws the Community Conduct Board will include two (2) Smith community
               members and three (3) Conduct Board members.

               In such cases the normal procedures of the College Conduct Board will be followed. The normal procedures will include: referral of a case,
               review of the incident, notification of complaint, investigation, and hearing.


               In matters involving sexual harassment or assault, separate procedures will apply. Please refer to the Gender-based and Sexual Misconduct
               Policy or contact the Title IX coordinator.

               INTERIM SUSPENSION
               In addition to adjudicating certain violations, the dean of the college, or the dean’s designee, may impose a college or residential suspension
               prior to a student’s hearing before the College Conduct Board (sometimes referred to as an “interim suspension”). During an interim
               suspension, a student may be denied access to college houses, to the college campus (including classes), and/or to all other college activities
               and privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the dean, or the dean’s designee, may determine to be appropriate.

               INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT VIOLATIONS
               At any time the College Conduct Board may decide to invoke a formal investigative process in addition to receiving the complaint and the
               response from the parties involved in a matter alleging a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.



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