A student charged with disciplinary infraction subject to "Dean's Discipline" is entitled to notice of the charges, an opportunity to be heard and an opportunity to appeal a disciplinary decision to the Dean of the School of Public Health.

Ordinarily, a disciplinary proceeding begins with a written communication from the Office of the Dean of Students requiring the student to attend a disciplinary hearing to respond to a specified charge. (In rare cases, the proceeding may begin with an oral communication requiring the presence of the student at a hearing). The hearing is held before the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and two other members of the Faculty of the School of Public Health, appointed by the Dean of the School of Public Health. The hearing is a fact-finding, not an adversarial courtroom-type, proceeding; the student need not be present to hear other witnesses and there is no formal cross examination or objection to evidence. In addition, although students are always free to consult an attorney, they may not have an attorney present during a disciplinary hearing or at any appeal.

The student is informed of the evidence that led to the charges against him or her and asked to respond. The student may offer his or her own evidence. This includes the student's own appearance at the hearing and may include the appearance by others (witnesses) on his or her behalf and any written submission or relevant documents that student may wish to submit.

After the Office of the Dean of Students has heard the student and others and considered all the evidence, it reaches a determination and notifies the student in writing of the decision. If the student is found to have committed a disciplinary infraction, the penalty can include censure, probation, suspension and dismissal.

The student has the right to appeal a decision that results from a disciplinary hearing to the Dean of the School of Public Health. The appeal must be made in writing within seven days of the time he or she is notified of the decision, and it must clearly state the grounds for appeal. Such appeal should be sent to the Dean.

Normally, on such an appeal, the Dean of the School of Public Health relies solely upon the written record and does not conduct a new factual investigation. Moreover, the Dean focuses upon whether, in the Dean's view, the decision made and the discipline imposed are reasonable under all of the circumstances of the case. There is no further appeal within the University.

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The University-wide Rules of University Conduct govern conduct incident to demonstrations, rallies and picketing and may displace "Dean's Discipline" in cases of serious violations.

 

6/4/97