4. Student Conduct Panel members direct questions to the accused student as needed. The Chairperson will monitor the question and discussion period to make sure that all questions are appropriate and the accused student has had the opportunity to fully respond.
5. The accused student is asked to identify the witnesses to be called and the relevancy of their testimony. The Chairperson should be liberal in allowing relevant witnesses. Character witnesses for the complainant are not usually appropriate.
6. The accused student ' s witnesses are heard first as follows:
a. Each witness provides a narrative account. The specific charges may be shared with the witness. b. Questions are asked by Student Conduct Panel members. c. Witnesses are dismissed and additional questions may be asked of the accused student, provided they are not redundant.
7. The accused student is given an opportunity to ask any questions or to give a brief summary statement.
8. The College shall also have the opportunity to bring witnesses and present findings to the Student Conduct Panel. The Panel may then ask follow-up questions for clarification before releasing the College personnel from the hearing.
Deliberation The Student Conduct Panel dismisses the student to deliberate the facts and to determine responsibility. Consider only the evidence submitted during the hearing. Avoid speculation unsupported by logical or factual analysis utilizing a " preponderance of the evidence " standard of proof( 51 %). The Student Conduct Panel decides whether or not the student is responsible for the violation( s).
Determining Sanctions 1. The Chairperson explains the possible sanctions available to the Student Conduct Panel and the sanctioning process using the sanction guidelines. 2. Student Conduct Panel members must reach consensus on their sanction recommendation. Panel members will vote by hand vote unless a secret ballot is requested of at least one Panel member.
Presentation of Decision A student will have a choice as to whether or not they wish to remain at NWTC while the panel is deliberating. If the student prefers to leave after they have presented their case, the decision of the panel will be sent to them electronically, via their student email account( mymail. nwtc. edu). The decision will be provided to the student within 24 hours of the meeting
If the student wishes to remain, a waiting area will be provided to them. Once the decision has been reached, the student will be allowed back in the meeting room. At this time, the chairperson presents the Student Conduct Panel ' s decision on each violation-- responsible or not responsible.
The Chairperson will make some comments regarding the findings of fact and the decision reached by the Student Conduct Panel. The student is not permitted to question the panel or Chairperson. The accused student is dismissed if he or she is found " not responsible " for any violations.
If the accused student is found responsible:
1. The Chairperson will deliver the sanctions decided upon by the Student Conduct Panel as well as the rationale for determining that particular sanction. 2. The accused student is informed of the right to appeal the decision and / or sanction. 3. The student is dismissed. 4. The panel decision is submitted to the Dean of Student Development’ s office. The Dean will review and approve findings after all students in that report have been heard and their notes reviewed. Then the Dean of Student Development will notify students via a decision letter.
Appeal of the Conduct Process All students have the right to appeal disciplinary decisions with the exception of students who request a formal hearing but do not attend their scheduled hearing time. Appeal requests must be made in writing to
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