JUDICIAL AFFAIRS

1. The student should meet with and discuss the matter thoroughly with the professor or staff member attempting to reach resolution immediately, but no later than 30 calendar days after the incident(s) has occurred.
2. If resolution is not achieved and the student wishes to pursue his/her grievance, the grievance must be filed in written form with the direct supervisor of the faculty or staff member. The grievance must be filed within one week after the meeting with the faculty or staff member, subject to the availability of the parties involved.
3. The supervisor receiving the grievance will do the following within three weeks:
   a. Inform the faculty or staff of the receipt of the grievance.
   b. Investigate the situation which may include but not be limited to requesting a statement of circumstances relevant to the grievance from the faculty or staff member, a conference with either or both parties, additional documents and other information relevant to the situation.
   c. The supervisor makes a ruling regarding the grievance within one week after the requested documents are received and conferences concluded.
4. If either party wishes to appeal the ruling, a statement of appeal must be filed with the direct supervisor of the person making the previous ruling within one week of the postmark of the letter containing the original grievance decision.
5. The hearing process is repeated with the addition of information from the original supervisor. If the appeal is filed by the faculty or staff, the student will be duly notified.
6. The grievance may be continued by either party through the administrative structure to the President.

Tips for the accused student
This information was developed in an effort to help you prepare for a hearing with the Office of Judicial Affairs.  It is not meant to supplement the Standards of Student Behavior, which details the process you will go through.  You should make yourself familiar with the standards and read these tips before your hearing.

It has been reported that you were involved in a violation of the Standards of Student Behavior.  Receiving this notice does not presume the degree of your involvement and the administrator will not approach your case with any predetermined decision.  Therefore, the receipt of this material should not be interpreted as a prejudgment.  The standard used to reach a decision will be preponderance of the evidence.

When a student is referred to the Judicial Affairs office due to a possible violation of the Vincennes University’s Standards of Student Behavior (our conduct code) a pre-hearing meeting is scheduled.  At the pre-hearing meeting, the Associate Dean of Students will review:

• The Student Conduct process,
• Statements and reports,
• The student’s rights and responsibilities, and
• Options to resolve the matter. 

The student may choose to reach an agreement or admit the violation(s) and accept the sanction.  If the student chooses to admit to the violation(s) and sanction the pre-hearing conference will serve as the judicial hearing.  If the student chooses to contest the allegation(s) a hearing will be scheduled.

  

As you prepare for your hearing, you should keep in mind the following pointers:

1. You will review statements and reports which will be used by the administrator as part of the judicial process.  Think of questions you will want to discuss at the hearing.  Write them down in advance of the hearing.  Look for missing information, gaps in time that are not explained and any misinformation or inconsistencies among the statements.
2. You are allowed to have witnesses, submit documents, or statements to support your case.  All documents or statements must be submitted to the Dean of Students or University Police prior to the hearing.  Statements should be submitted, signed, dated and typed or clearly written in ink.
   1. All statements should be recollections of the incident 
   2. Written statements will generally be requested during the investigation and should be completed at the University Police station
   3. Only individuals having first-hand knowledge of the incident should write a statement and they may be called as witnesses at the hearing
3. You may choose an advisor to assist you in preparing your case.  Advisors are normally limited to members of the Vincennes University community (faculty or staff)
4. Tell the truth.  Contradictions in your story will not help your cause.
5. Should a student fail to appear at a scheduled hearing, after proper notification, the hearing may be conducted in his/her absence at the discretion of the hearing officer.

A student has the opportunity to appeal the decision of the disciplinary hearing to the Student Life Advisory Committee.  Appeal requests must be presented to the Dean of Students in writing within five business days of the receipt of the decision from the hearing process.  Any questions about the process should be referred to the Dean of Students office 812-888-4945.

1. The student is found responsible for violating university alcohol or drug policy
2. The student is under 21 years of age at the time.

Part II. A student's parent or guardian will be notified if they meet the criteria in Part I and at least one of the following criteria in regards to the student's involvement in a violation involving alcohol or a controlled substance.

1. The student received a sanction of probation or stronger through the campus judicial system because of the serious nature of the incident and not because of prior alcohol or drug problems.
2. The incident involved significant property damage.
3. The student was found responsible for harassment or intimidation while under the influence of alcohol or drug.
4. Medical attention to any person, including the student, was required as a result of the student?s alcohol or drug-related behavior.
5. The student operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of a drug.
6. The student exhibited reckless disregard for personal safety and/or the safety of others while intoxicated or under the influence of a drug.
7. Evidence indicates that the student?s alcohol or drug related behavior interfered with the academic process of him/herself or others.