What is the role of the Integrity Formation and Judicial Education Programs?

Our mission is to promote the developing character, conscience, citizenship, civility, and individual and social responsibility of our community at Seattle University (SU). We are responsible for managing the student judicial process, educational programs, and campaigns to promote reflection on ethics and to foster integrity development.

What is a conduct hearing?

A student who has allegedly violated a policy or policies found in the Student Code of Conduct will be notified and invited to a student conduct hearing. The hearing is an opportunity for the student to appear and communicate on her/his own behalf and respond to the alleged violations.

What is the Integrity Board, and where can I get an application to join?

The Seattle University Integrity Board (I-Board) provides opportunities for leadership and service in addition to developing life-long skills in facilitating and resolving conflicts, as well as promoting civility and citizenship within the University community. During student conduct hearings, I-Board is responsible for: determining the facts in alleged violations, deciding whether facts constitute a violation of the Code of Conduct or other applicable rules and regulations, recommending a reasonable sanction if a violation is found, and have the opportunity to develop programming. If you would like more information, please click here for details.

What happens if I miss my hearing appointment?

If a student fails to attend, the hearing will continue in her/his absence and a decision on sanctions will be made.

What can I do to reschedule my appointment?

Appointments cannot be rescheduled except for extreme circumstances, in which a doctor's note or some type of documentation should be provided.

What are my rights in the judicial process?

Students participating in a hearing have the right to

• Remain silent.
• Respond to all information
• Receive written notice of the decision
• Appeal the decision

What types of sanctions can be imposed in my case?

Sanctions are meant to be educational in nature for the certain. When determining sanctions, the hearing officer and/or board chair consider the nature of the incident and previous violations if applicable. Sanctions can include but are not limited to: essays, letter of apology, community service, restitution, alcohol and drug education, and meeting with faculty and staff at Seattle University.

Will anything appear on my transcripts due to this incident? What goes on my record if I am found responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct?

Can anyone else be present at my hearing?

Only a member of the university community may serve as an advisor to the student during a hearing.

Do you notify my parents/guardians about this? Or Will my parents be notified of my judicial status?

In cases involving alcohol and/or drugs, parents/guardians are notified that their student has violated alcohol and/or drug policy at Seattle University.

Can SU take judicial action if the incident took place off-campus? Or Does SU have jurisdiction over a student's behavior off-campus?

The Student Code of Conduct applies as long as the student is a member of Seattle University. Students are responsible for their behavior off-campus, and will participate in the judicial process if found violating policy outside of Seattle University.

What is the format of a hearing?

A Student Conduct hearing begins with the Conduct Officer notifying the student of her/his rights in the judicial process, and follows with a conversation about the alleged violations. The student will have the opportunity to give her/his perspective about the incident in question and the conduct officer may ask any clarifying questions. A notification of the conduct officer's decision will be sent via email to the student within a week after the hearing.

Is there any way to appeal the conduct decision made at the end of my hearing?

After a decision has been made in the conduct hearing and the Respondent receives the decision letter, the respondent or in cases of assault, the alleged student victim, may file an appeal by 4:30 PM on the third (3) business day following receipt of the decision from the hearing. The request should be submitted by email to the Dean of Students/designee.

Basis for Appeal: Appeals are not re-hearings, and they are not granted based on disagreement with the original decision. An appeal must meet one of the following to be granted:

• A procedural error materially and adversely affected the outcome of the case.
• Information has been discovered that was not reasonably available at the time of the hearing and that materially and adversely affected the outcome of the case. (If a student chooses not to attend a hearing, her/his testimony or tangible information may not be considered "new evidence" for the purpose of an appeal.)
• A clear abuse of discretion on the part of the hearing officer or hearing board.

When submitting an appeal the student accepts and/or acknowledges the Dean of Students of designee may:

• Affirm the hearing decision;
• Affirm the findings of the hearing decision but modify the sanction (including increasing the sanction);
• Dismiss the charge(s) in whole or in part;
• Conduct or direct further investigation or inquiry; or
• Undertake a combination of the actions specified in a. through d., above.

How long are judicial files kept in the Dean of Students Office?

All educational records, including judicial files, are kept by the Dean of Students and Seattle University. These records are cumulative and will be kept forever.

What happens if I do not complete an assigned sanction?

Student who do not complete assigned sanctions, or do not complete assigned sanctions before the given deadlines will be in further violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will result in additional sanctions and/or fines.

Will a sanction from Seattle University affect me after I graduate?

Students who have gone through the university judicial process will have a judicial record at Seattle University. Certain companies, government organizations, and graduate or professional schools may ask for background checks on students. Therefore, depending on the intended access of those records, they can or can not have an affect on graduate/law school acceptance or employment prospect.

Do I need an attorney?

Attorneys do not and will not have any involvement with any conduct hearings held at Seattle University.

What do I need to do to prepare for my conduct hearing?

Students should read over their conduct hearing notification letter and any other supplemental documents sent on behalf of the university. The incident report associated with the case will be made available upon request by email after receiving the notification letter. Additionally, students should be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct prior to their hearing.

Witnesses

How do I participate as a witness?

If a student has personal knowledge about a reported incident, he/she may appear as a witness. During a hearing, witnesses will be present only during the time they are providing statements and being questioned. Please contact the conduct officer in charge of the particular hearing to arrange participation in the judicial process.

Attorneys

I have been asked to represent a student involved in the Judicial Process. What do I need to know?

Attorneys have no involvement in the judicial process at Seattle University.

What are the limits of my involvement?

Attorneys cannot be present at the student's conduct hearing.

Parents

What is FERPA, and what records does it cover?

FERPA protects the privacy of all students' education records, which are defined as any records which are directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational agency or institution.

Can I be present during my student's hearing process?

Only an advisor or witness in the incident (who must be a member of the University community) can be at the student's hearing.

Advisors

What is my role in the disciplinary process?

Advisors may not actively participate in the hearing, but may consult with the student during the hearing. The advisor is not permitted to present information on behalf of a student. Additionally, the advisor may not function as a legal counsel to the conduct process.