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Conduct Review Process

  • This overview gives a general idea of how SCC conduct proceedings work, but it should be noted that not all situations are of the same severity or complexity. Thus, these procedures are flexible, and are not exactly the same in every situation, though consistency in similar situations is a priority. The Student Code of Conduct process and all applicable timelines commence with notice to an administrator of a potential violation of College conduct expectations.

    NOTICE. Once notice is received from any source (victim, Resident Assistant, 3rd party, Responsible Authority, online, etc.), SCC will proceed with a preliminary inquiry and/or may schedule an initial educational conference with the responding student(s) to explain the conduct process and gather information.

    Preliminary Inquiry and/or Educational Conference

    SCC conducts a preliminary inquiry into the nature of the incident, complaint or notice, the evidence available, and the parties involved. The preliminary inquiry may lead to:

    1. A determination that there is insufficient evidence to pursue the investigation, because the behavior alleged, even if proven, would not violate the Student Code of Conduct, (e.g.: for reasons such as mistaken identity or allegations of behavior that falls outside the code);
    2. A more comprehensive investigation, when it is clear more information must be gathered; or
    3. An educational conference facilitated by the Dean of Students or designee with the responding student.

    When an initial educational conference is held, the possible outcomes include:

    1. A decision not to pursue the allegation based on a lack of or insufficient evidence. The matter should be closed and records should so indicate;
    2. An administrative resolution to an uncontested allegation (see immediately below);
    3. A decision to proceed with additional investigation and/or referral for a formal Conduct Committee Hearing for resolution.

    If a decision on the allegation is made and the finding is that the responding student is not responsible for violating the Code, the process will end. The party bringing the complaint may request that the Dean of Students and/or, if allegation involves a Title IX violation, the Title IX Coordinator reopen the investigation and/or grant a Conduct Committee Hearing. This decision shall be at the discretion of the Dean of Students or designee and/or the Title IX Coordinator, if applicable, in consultation with each other and will only be granted for extraordinary cause.

  • If the College’s finding is that the responding student is in violation, and the responding student accepts this finding within seven (7)  days; the administrator conducting the initial educational conference will then determine the sanction(s) for the misconduct, which the responding student may accept or reject. If accepted, the process ends.
    If student accepts the findings, but rejects the sanction, SCC will conduct a sanction-only Conduct Committee Hearing to recommend a sanction to the Dean of Student Affairs and campus-specific Dean of Students or designee. The sanction is then reviewed and finalized by the Dean of Students Team and is subject to appeal by any party to the misconduct.
    If the administrator conducting the educational conference determines that it is more likely than not that the responding student is in violation, and the responding student rejects that finding in whole or in part, the process moves to a formal Hearing.
    If the responding student contests the findings determined during the preliminary inquiry, additional investigation may then be commenced and/or a hearing may be held when there is reasonable cause to believe that one or more Student Codes of Conduct have been violated. A formal notice of the complaint will be issued, and a hearing will be held before a Conduct Committee.  A finding will be determined and is final except in cases that involve Title IX or other discrimination allegations. In those cases, the hearing results serve as a recommendation to the Dean of Students or designee and, where appropriate, the Title IX Coordinator, who review and finalize the finding.   If the finding is that the responding student is not responsible, the process ends. Applicable appeals options are described in Section 12 of the Formal Conduct Procedures.

    If the student is found in violation(s), sanctions will be recommended by the Conduct Committee to the Dean of Students Team and Title IX Coordinator when applicable, who will review and finalize the sanctions.

    For detailed information about the Conduct Procedures, please refer to the Student Code of Conduct (PDF) manual.

  • Special Hearing Provisions for Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination and Other Complaints of a Sensitive Nature

    All hearings under this sub-section will be conducted only by committee members trained on Title IX regulations, policies and protocol.  For sexual misconduct, discrimination and other complaints of a sensitive nature, whether the alleged victim is serving as the party bringing the complaint or as a witness; alternative testimony options may be provided, such as placing a privacy screen in the hearing room or allowing the alleged victim to testify from another room via audio or audio/video technology. While these options are intended to help make the alleged victim more comfortable, they are not intended to work to the disadvantage of the responding student.

    The past sexual history or sexual character of a party will not be admissible by the other parties in hearings unless such information is determined to be relevant by the Committee Hearing Chair. All such information sought to be admitted by a party or the College will be presumed irrelevant until a showing of relevance is made, in advance of the hearing, to the Chair. Demonstration of pattern, repeated, and/or predatory behavior by the responding student, in the form of previous findings in any legal or campus proceeding, or in the form of previous good faith allegations, will always be relevant to the finding, not just the sanction. The parties will be notified in advance if any such information is deemed relevant and will be introduced in the hearing.

    The party bringing any complaint alleging sexual misconduct, other behavior falling with the coverage of Title IX and/or a crime of violence will be notified in writing of the outcome of a hearing, any sanctions assigned and the rationale for the decision.

  • Under the Student Code of Conduct, the Dean of Students or designee and/or Title IX Coordinator, if applicable, may impose restrictions and/or separate a student from the community pending the scheduling of a campus hearing on alleged violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct when any of the following conditions exist: 

    Interim actions can include separation from the institution or restrictions on participation in the campus community for no more than ten (10) business days pending the scheduling of a Conduct Committee Hearing on alleged violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct. A student who receives an interim suspension may request a meeting with the Dean of Students or designee to demonstrate why an interim suspension is not merited. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, the College may still proceed with the scheduling of a Conduct Committee Hearing.

    1. A student represents a threat of serious harm to others
    2. A student is facing allegations of serious criminal activity
    3. In order to preserve the integrity of an investigation
    4. In order to preserve College property and/or to prevent disruption of, or interference with, the normal operations of the College.

    During an interim suspension, a student may be denied access to College housing and/or College campus/facilities/events. As determined appropriate by the Dean of Students or designee, this restriction may include classes and/or all other College activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible. At the discretion of the Dean of Students or designee and with the approval of, and in collaboration with, the appropriate Instructional Dean(s), alternative coursework options may be pursued to ensure as minimal an impact as possible on the responding student.