Facilitating a Resolution to Disciplinary Complaints

The following persons and groups shall be authorized to act as hearing bodies for the University:

Conduct Review Board. The Conduct Review Board (CRB) is empowered to conduct hearings for all types of complaints, and issue all forms of sanctions, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Authority | Composition | Eligibility | Hearing Procedures | Sanctions

Director of CCS. The Director of CCS is empowered to conduct hearings for all types of complaints. The Director of CCS may not impose sanctions involving suspension or dismissal from the University without the respondent’s consent.

CCS Staff. CCS staff may be empowered by the Director of CCS to conduct hearings for all types of complaints. CCS staff may not impose sanctions involving suspension or dismissal from the University without the respondent’s consent.

Peer Review Board. The Peer Review Board (PRB) may be empowered by the Director of CCS to conduct hearings for certain complaints that originate in the residence halls. All decisions made by the PRB shall be immediately forwarded to CCS for appropriate record-keeping. HRE is responsible for coordinating the activities of the PRB.

Generally, the PRB may hear complaints involving violations of Residence Living Policies and/or first- or second-time violations of University standards of conduct. Any complaint involving violence, threats of violence, sexual assault, illegal drugs, weapons, and/or other serious forms of misconduct may not be heard by the PRB.

The PRB may not impose sanctions involving suspension or dismissal from the University.

HRE Staff. HRE staff may be empowered by the Director of CCS to conduct hearings for certain complaints that originate in the residence halls. All decisions made by HRE staff shall be immediately forwarded to CCS for appropriate record-keeping.

Generally, HRE staff may hear complaints involving violations of residence hall policies and/or first-time violations of University standards of conduct. Any complaint involving violence, threats of violence, sexual misconduct, illegal drugs, weapons, and/or other serious forms of misconduct may not be heard by HRE staff.

HRE staff may not impose sanctions involving probation without the consent of the Director of CCS. HRE staff may not impose sanctions involving suspension or dismissal from the University.

The complete text of the Code of Student Conduct can be found here.

---

THE CONDUCT REVIEW BOARD

A. Authority

The Conduct Review Board (CRB) has the authority to determine if an accused member of the University of Denver community is responsible for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, and to impose sanctions as appropriate.

The Director of CCS or his/her designee has the authority to hear cases and impose sanctions on behalf of the CRB, provided such sanctions do not include involuntary suspension or expulsion from the University.

---

B. Composition

The CRB shall be composed of three (3) voting members, selected randomly from a pool of qualified individuals, and one non-voting Chairperson. The Chair shall be the Director of CCS or his/her designee.

1. If the accused is an undergraduate student, at least one voting member of the CRB shall be an undergraduate student.
2. If the accused is a graduate student, at least one voting member of the CRB shall be a graduate student.
3. If possible, at least one voting member of the CRB should be a member of the faculty.
4. If possible, at least one voting member of the CRB should be a University staff member.
5. If the complaint involves a violation of the University's Honor Code, at least one voting member of the CRB shall be a member of the faculty.

The CRB may conduct a hearing without these requirements, or with only two (2) voting members, provided that both the aggrieved party and accused student agree that the hearing should take place.

---

C. Eligibility

In order to be eligible to serve on the CRB, individuals must meet the following requirements.

1. Students must be registered as a full-time student in good academic and disciplinary standing after completing at least one quarter of coursework at the University.
2. Faculty must have been employed by and taught courses at the University for a minimum of one (1) academic quarter. Faculty must also have taught at least one course within the most recent two (2) academic quarters.
3. Staff must be currently employed part- or full-time, and must have been employed full- or part-time by the University for at least one complete academic quarter.

CCS shall be responsible for recruiting, selecting, and training members of the CRB. It is expected that members of the CRB shall recuse themselves from a particular hearing if there is the potential for their objectivity to be compromised.

---

D. Hearing Procedures

1. The Chair calls the hearing to order.
2. The Chair asks for identification of the parties attending the hearing.
3. The Chair states the conditions of the hearing, including:
   • The hearing will be audio-recorded. This recording will be destroyed no sooner than the conclusion of the appeals process.
   • The hearing will be closed, with participation limited to the accused student, the aggrieved party, and any advisors and/or witnesses.
   • All statements will be restricted to matters directly relevant to the case.
   • Any person disrupting, interfering with or failing to abide by the rulings of the Chair may be removed from the hearing.
   • Advisors, if present, are restricted to consulting with their advisees. Advisors may not address witnesses or the CRB unless invited to do so by the Chair.
   • Deliberations will be limited to the CRB. Deliberations will not be audio-recorded.
   • The hearing and its outcome are considered part of the accused student’s educational record, and as such are confidential.
4. The Chair asks the aggrieved party* and the accused student if there are any objections to proceeding with the hearing at this time. The Chair is solely responsible for deciding if such objections are reasonable and/or what measures should be taken to address them.
5. The Chair presents the complaint to the CRB and states the charges.
6. The Chair asks the accused student to respond to the charges with a statement of either “In violation” or “Not in violation”.
7. The aggrieved party* makes an opening statement.
8. The accused student makes an opening statement.
9. The aggrieved party* directs presents evidence and/or calls witnesses. The CRB has the first option of questioning the aggrieved party* and/or witnesses, followed by the accused student.
10. The accused student presents evidence and/or calls witnesses. The CRB has the first option of questioning the accused student and/or witnesses, followed by the aggrieved party*.
11. The aggrieved party* presents a closing statement.
12. The accused student presents a closing statement.
13. The Chair concludes the hearing.
14. The CRB enters closed deliberations. A unanimous decision among the three voting members is desirable for determining responsibility; however, a majority vote is acceptable if, in the Chair’s opinion, unanimity is not reasonably achievable.
15. If the CRB determines the student to be responsible for violation of the Code of Student Conduct, a unanimous decision among the three voting members is desirable for determining sanction(s); however, a majority vote is acceptable if, in the Chair’s opinion, unanimity is not reasonably achievable.

*If one has been designated and chooses to attend the hearing.

---

E. Sanctions

The CRB must select one of the following inactive sanctions to impose upon a student found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct:

1. Warning: the student receives a written statement that he/she has violated the Code of Student Conduct, and that further violations may result in increased levels of sanctioning.
2. Probation: the student is served notice that his/her actions are inappropriate for a member of the University community, and that further violations may result in suspension or expulsion. The probationary period shall last for at least one (1) quarter, and no longer than four (4) quarters.
3. Suspension: the student is informed that he/she is not welcome at the University for a period of at least one (1) quarter.
4. Expulsion: the student is informed that he/she is no longer welcome at the University.

The CRB may also impose further educational sanctions and/or restrictions upon the student at their discretion. It is recommended that at least one such active sanction be imposed.

Further information regarding sanctions may be found in the Code of Student Conduct.