Conduct Review Committee
What is the CRC?
The Conduct Review Committee (CRC) manages the resolution process for conduct cases when the alleged policy violation is more severe than what can be addressed in a Resolution Meeting. The CRC is also the resolution process most commonly used when the respondent is a group of students or a student organization (i.e. House, club, or other campus organization). The final decision-maker in cases involving individual students as respondents will be made by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. In cases when a student organization is the respondent, the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs (AVP) will make the final decision regarding finding of responsibility and sanctions.
The CRC Process
The CRC resolution process includes the following:
The CRC co-chairs review the incident to identify respondents and possible policy violations. The Director of Conduct then notifies the respondents of the charge and requests the respondents meet with the CRC co-chairs.
The co-chairs may determine that preliminary sanctions may be warranted. Recommendations for preliminary sanctions will be made to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for individual respondents and to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs for student organizations as respondents. Preliminary sanctions may be imposed prior to the resolution of any conduct case.
The co-chairs investigate the incident by interviewing respondents and witnesses. The co-chairs may gather additional information and evidence from campus partners including but not limited to Campus Security and Student Affairs staff.
The co-chairs then compose a report summarizing the investigation and make a recommendation for a finding of responsibility based on the preponderance of the evidence. The report is then shared with the respondent for their review.
If the respondent agrees with the findings of the CRC co-chairs and accepts responsibility for a policy violation, the case is referred to the CRC student representatives for sanctioning recommendations. The sanction recommendations are then added to the preliminary report and submitted to the Dean or AVP.
If the respondent does not accept responsibility or agree with the preliminary findings of the CRC co-chairs, the case is referred to the CRC for a full hearing.
If the co-chairs determine that there is not sufficient evidence to determine whether a policy violation occurred, they may refer the case to the Dean or AVP for dismissal.
In cases when the respondent does not accept responsibility or agree with the preliminary findings of the CRC co-chairs, the case may be referred to the CRC for a full hearing.
The full committee consists of three members (one student, one faculty, one staff). During the full hearing, the committee will convene, review the evidence, interview the respondent and relevant witnesses, and make a recommendation for responsibility and sanctions. The CRC co-chairs then submit a report including a summary of the case and the decision of the CRC committee to the Dean or AVP.
The respondent is notified of the decision by the CRC co-chairs. The respondent has an opportunity to review and respond to the report by writing a letter and submitting it to the Dean or AVP. The respondent will be given the opportunity to meet with the Dean, within seven calendar days of receipt of the decision, to discuss the report and recommendations.
The Dean or AVP will inform the respondent of their final determination, including any sanctions that may be imposed, in writing. That notice will also include information regarding the respondent's ability to appeal the Dean or AVPs determination and the process for doing so.
An appeal may be submitted to the VPSA within 7 calendar days of receipt of the decision letter.