Student Conduct Review in a Self-Governing Community Judicial Council & College Hearing Board Information Session SGA & Student Affairs September 5, 2013

Work When the standards of our community are violated, Judicial Council and the College Hearing Board are part of a multi- step process to restore self-governance and provide educational outcomes. By and large, students who go through JudCo or CHB feel supported and believe the conduct review is a fair and impartial process. Since this is such a small sample of the student body, however, it is important for us to make available the relevant information to the larger community and to receive feedback on impressions and awareness of JudCo/CHB.

Case Statistics : JudCo was not a student run group : 13 out of 17 JudCo cases were marijuana related 6 out of 14 CHB cases related to sexual assault : 3 out of 7 CHB cases involved marijuana (in addition to other mitigating circumstances) 4 out of 7 cases involved physical misconduct (sexual or otherwise)

Judicial Council (JudCo) S S S S PO S S S S R R Security Officer C C Dean of Students Faculty Advisor VPAA Advisor or Witness Advisor or Witness The Dean of Students determines which body, JudCo or CHB, should administer the hearing. JudCo addresses lower level, first time offenses. Some examples might include alcohol policy violations, vandalism and theft (not bias-motivated), recreational drug use (CHB deals with distribution violations).

Hypothetical #1 A College Security Officer is called to Gates Lounge because of a noise complaint. As he is leaving the dorm, he smells the distinct odor of marijuana. He identifies the dorm room emitting the smell and knocks on the door, announcing himself as Campus Safety & Security. When the student answers the door, he/she/zi has blood shot eyes, is lethargic, and reeks of marijuana. Without entering the room, the officer notices a pipe and some ash on the student’s desk. When asked, the student admits to smoking but insists the marijuana does not belong to him/her/zir (a lie).

How do you think this plays out?

College Hearing Board (CHB) What kind of cases go to CHB? 1.Any matter in which a student violates the rights of a student, faculty, staff, or community member or College guest; 2.Any matter in which a student has harassed or injured any College community member or, by other conduct, has interrupted or interfered with any College program or facility; 3.Any matter of assault, sexual misconduct, hate crimes/bias-motivated incidents, or theft as defined by Iowa law or College policy; 4.Any matter that might result in the suspension or dismissal of a student.

Hypothetical #2 Campus Safety & Security receives multiple reports of theft from residential rooms. The report information indicates one student in particular and the head of security files a formal complaint following a thorough investigation. The case goes to CHB. The complainant brings a character witness, provides a narrative accounts, answers Board questions, and asks questions regarding the investigation. When the board convenes for deliberation, they are informed the student has a record and is currently on conduct probation.

How do you think this plays out?

Big Picture The process of student conduct review is an important part of self-governance. The confidentiality of every party involved in a hearing is paramount. Annual data regarding cases may be found on the Grinnell webpage, but no details are ever released to reveal the identities of those involved or case specifics. The process is educational and corrective, not disciplinary and punitive. The presumption of responsibility is with the complainant (we assume the respondent is not responsible unless there is overwhelming evidence).

Questions or Comments? Contact Remy Ferber, SGA Vice President of Academic Affairs, at [vpaa1]