Westminster College Student Conduct

Pre-Hearing Conference

A pre-hearing conference is initiated between the hearing officer and the student(s) following the receipt of a report of an alleged violation(s). The purpose of the conference is: (a) to explain the judicial process to the student; (b) to provide the student with an opportunity to hear the allegations against them; (c) to review the facts as stated in the report(s); and (d) to allow the student to discuss the case with the hearing officer in an informal context. No decision(s) is rendered at this time.

During the pre-hearing conference, the hearing officer shall assume responsibility for informing the student of the following:

1. The offense the student or recognized student organization was alleged to have committed as stated in the written notice;
2. The date, time, and location of the alleged commission and other relevant circumstances as the Associate Dean may determine are appropriate to discuss;
3. The section of the Student Code of Conduct upon which the charges are based;
4. The student’s procedural rights in disciplinary matters as outlined in the Handbook for Students;
5. The sanctions which may possibly be imposed.
   The student will have 48 hours from the conclusion of the pre-hearing conference to indicate whether they prefer an administrative or Judicial Board hearing. The Associate Dean or their designee may (1) hear and make a decision whether the individual(s) charged in the case has violated the College’s Student Code of Conduct; or (2) refer the case to the College Judicial Board. If the student prefers a Board hearing, the Associate Dean will refer the case to the College Judicial Board. If the student prefers an administrative hearing, the Associate Dean will decide whether or not to honor the request or refer the case to the College Judicial Board.
6. The Associate Dean will try to schedule judicial hearings so that they are held within two (2) weeks of the date of the pre-hearing conference between the student and the Associate Dean. (Official College vacation days and no class days are not included within this two-week period.)
7. A student desiring to change their original statement as to whether they violated the Student Code of Conduct may do so by meeting with the Associate Dean no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing.