Disciplinary Proceedings

Disciplinary Proceedings 

Any member of the University community (administration, faculty, staff, and students) may make a formal complaint against any student(s) for alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct. All allegations of violations should be prepared in writing or signed video or come to Ely 103 to make a report in-person with SARP staff . Be aware that the University’s ability to investigate complaints may be limited if the report is submitted anonymously.  

Students who allegedly violated the Student Code of Conduct prior to their separation from the University, including, but not limited to, Leave of Absence, Withdrawal, or Graduation, remain subject to the conduct process, even if they are no longer enrolled. 

Complaints alleging Title IX sexual harassment will be referred to and investigated by the Title IX Coordinator or designee, and the procedures for handling such complaints can be found here. Persons should refer to appropriate materials available online or in print for procedures for the resolution of such complaints. 

Those requesting charges are normally expected to serve as the complainant, and to present relevant information in administrative conferences and/or hearings. In instances where the University is initiating charges SARP staff will represent the University as the complainant. In addition, any allegation of violations should be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place, ideally no later than thirty (30) business days of discovering the alleged policy violation. SARP staff will conduct an investigation, evaluate all the information, which may include interviews with involved parties and the collection of relevant information that SARP staff deems as appropriate and relevant, and determine if the reported allegation(s) has merit and/or if they can be disposed of administratively by conciliation, restorative practices , mediation, or mutual consent of the parties involved on a basis acceptable to the SARP staff. If the charges are not resolved informally and/or cannot be disposed of by mutual consent, SARP staff may later serve in the same manner as a non-voting member of the Accountability Board or as the University representative presenting the case in an administrative conference or hearing. 

With the exception of sexual misconduct allegations, SARP staff may decide not to proceed with complaints resulting from incidents that occurred at a time too distant from the date of the filing of charges, or when information or testimony is too vague. Complaints generally should be made within 30 business days after discovery of the alleged violation and/or identification of the alleged violator. 

A student charged for alleged violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct will be entitled to an administrative conference or accountability hearing. SARP staff will make a determination of whether an administrative conference or accountability hearing will be held, based on the range of sanctions that may be issued for the particular violation. SARP staff will serve as the hearing officer for the administrative conference or as a member of the Accountability Board at all accountability hearings. The SARP staff handling the investigation will represent the University in those instances where the University is the complainant, and another SARP staff will conduct the accountability hearing or administrative conference. In rare occasions, the Director of SARP will assume the roles and responsibilities in the disciplinary process if other SARP staff are 110 unable to serve in that capacity and the case cannot be rescheduled within a reasonable time. 

SARP will primarily correspond with the student through their official Gallaudet-issued email address. Notification by email is considered official contact. Students are responsible to check their emails frequently. 

The University will resolve all complaints and reports in a prompt manner, striving to do so within 60 calendar days of the initial report. 

Extenuating circumstances may arise that require an extension beyond 60 days. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, the complexity and scope of the allegation(s) and investigation, the number of witnesses involved, the availability of the parties or witnesses, any intervening University break or holiday, or other unforeseen circumstances. 

Formal rules of process, procedures, and/or technical rules of evidence, such as are applied in criminal and civil court, are not used in the Student Conduct disciplinary proceedings. 

*Wherever this procedure refers to the “Coordinator of Student Accountability,” the role may be fulfilled by the Director of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices, the Manager of Student Accountability, Student Accountability Coordinator(s), or trained student staff members who support the work of the office.