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disciplinary Hearing Procedures
Disciplinary hearings at Valdosta State University are
hearings to arrive at corrective recommendations regarding
alleged student misbehavior. These recommendations affect
the student or organization’s relationship with the University.
The administration of discipline is viewed as an educational
process NOT a criminal or civil trial proceeding. As such,
the disciplinary procedures used are determined and
administered by educators. Such procedures will give
cognizance to the test of fairness, justice, truth, and the
requirements of due process.
The procedures used by all disciplinary committees are as
follows:
A. All disciplinary hearings involving the accused student
and or organization and the appropriate disciplinary
committee are considered to be open meetings in
accordance with the Georgia Open Meetings Law,
and the Dean of Students or his designee will post
a notification 24 hours prior to the actual disciplinary
hearing outside the Dean of Students Office in its display
case.
B. Discplinary hearings are presided over by the chairperson
of the committee or his or her designee. The disciplinary
committee chair may exclude any person from the
disciplinary hearing who is materially interfering with the
disciplinary hearing proceedings. Any disruptions of a
disciplinary hearing can result in the possible immediate
interim suspension of the student and or organization
involved in the disruption. The chairperson of the
committee makes such a determination with the possible
input of the Dean of Students designee, and when that
determination is made those causing the disruption will
be asked to leave the hearing and its premises. If they
do not voluntarily leave, the University Police will escort
them off the premises.
C. Recommendations of the disciplinary committees are by
a simple majority vote. A disciplinary committee quorum
is more than 50% of its membership being present. A
hearing may proceed with less than a quorum if the
accused elects to proceed.
D. The disciplinary hearing will follow this sequence:
1. An oath is administered to the accused.
2. The presentation of the alleged violation(s) to accused.
(Charges are prepared and presented by a representative
of the Dean of Students Office.)
3. A call for a response from the accused to each violation
of either not responsible ot responsible is requested by
the chair.
4. The presentation of witnesses and documentation
supporting the alleged violation(s) is made.
5. The presentation of the comments and documentation
supporting the accused’s position .
6. Examination and questioning by the committee and
the accused follows witness comments and information
supporting the alleged violations, and after the witness
comments and information of the accused.
7. The presentation of the closing comments by both parties,
first the representative of the Dean of Student’s Office and
then the accused.
8. Committee deliberations then occur and they are closed
to the public. (The Committee may request the
representative of the Dean of Students Office assistance
in clarifying an issue in deliberations.)
9. The disciplinary committee reconvenes after deliberation
and reads their findings and/or recommendation(s) to the
accused. They also notify the accused of the right to
appeal.
10. Hearing is adjourned.
E. All comments are given under oath.
F. The accused student may bring an advisor of his or her
own choosing to the hearing.
G. The disciplinary committee has three charges.
- The first is to determine the facts.
- The committee is to determine responsibility for any or all violations.
- IF there is a finding of responsibility for any or all charges,they are to develop a suitable disciplinary recommendation(s).
- The final determination of the acceptability of the recommendation(s) as well as the implementation of the recommendation(s) will reside with the Dean of Students.
- Committee deliberations are closed to all but the disciplinary committee. The committee will hear only that information pertinent to the charge(s). Committee deliberations concerning the sanction(s)may draw upon the Dean of Students or his designee for guidance.
- The Disciplinary Committee will advise the accused of its recommendation(s) at the conclusion of the deliberations. The recommendation(s) of the committee is also communicated to the accused in writing, following the verbal notification at the judicial hearing.
- The accused student and or organization is also informed both verbally and in writing of the right to an appeal and is informed of how to pursue the appeal process.
- An audio recording of the hearing will be made and is on file in the Dean of Students Office.