Student Conduct Language Guide

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Advisor

The individual who advises and supports the complainant or respondent through the student conduct process, as permitted by campus procedures. An advisor may be an attorney, union representative, advocate, support person, or any other individual of the student’s choosing with the exception of those who are witnesses with information about facts material to the underlying case.

For more information refer to the Respondent Resource Pool

Charge

A prohibited behavior under the Board of Regents Student Conduct Code allegedly engaged in.

Complainant

The individual who reported prohibited conduct under the Board of Regents Student Conduct Code. The University may also act as the complainant.

Hearing

An educational conversation about an incident or complaint.

Hearing Officer

The representative from OSCCR that oversees the case. In instances of Non-Academic and Student Group Misconduct the Conduct Educator communicates the charges, conducts a conduct conference and investigates the charges, and makes a determination of responsibility and offers an initial resolution.

Preponderance of the Evidence

As per the University of Minnesota Policy on Resolving Student Conduct Violations, OSCCR uses the Preponderance of the Evidence standard to determine responsibility in all cases. Meaning “That which is more likely to have occurred.” Also referred to as meaning “50% + a feather.

Respondent

The individual(s) or organization who is alleged to have engaged in conduct that could constitute prohibited behavior under the Board of Regents Student Conduct Code. A Student Group may be considered a respondent.

Outcomes

The result of a determination of responsibility. Outcomes may be a status (ex. Warning, Suspension, Expulsion) or task students must complete. Outcomes are educational in nature and intended to help students learn and grow from their mistakes.

Student Appeals Panel

The Student Appeals Panel (SAP) is the appellate body at UMD. The SAP assists in implementing the Board of Regents Student Conduct Code at the formal level. The SAP is comprised of trained students, staff, and faculty. The Student Experiences Committee appoints appellate body members from the campus community to serve on the SAP per UMD Shared Governance Bylaws.

Student Hearing Panel

The Student Hearing Panel (SHP) is the formal hearing body at UMD. The SHP assists in implementing the Board of Regents Student Conduct Code at the formal level. The SHP is comprised of trained students, staff, and faculty.

Student Hearing Panel Secretary

The Secretary of the panel is designated by the Director of OSCCR. The Secretary is not a voting member. The Secretary attends the hearing and handles all logistics, but does not participate in panel deliberations. After the panel reaches a conclusion, the secretary writes the panel decision explaining the panel’s reasoning based on the information provided to them by the panel. Each panel member reviews and approves the decision.

Witness

Individuals with information about facts material to the underlying case. Character witnesses are generally not allowed.