Home > FAQs > Hearings, Meetings & Investigations

Hearings, Meetings & Investigations

I have received a letter/email indicating that I am under formal investigation for a possible violation of university policy. What does that mean?
When we receive information that suggests a student has been involved in a possible violation of university policy, we will often launch a formal investigation (if the incident is not likely to be resolved immediately through an administrative hearing, see below). During a formal investigation, we seek additional information from an accused student about the incident in question. A student is asked to give his/her perspective on the incident. This helps us determine whether or not sufficient information exists to believe that a policy infraction did in fact occur. Once we receive a student's written response, we may follow up orally or in writing with additional questions, drop the matter, or continue in the next steps of our process. Students are strongly encouraged to seek the guidance of a disciplinary advisor before submitting a statement. Students are assigned both a staff and student advisor when a formal investigation is initiated.
I have received an email requesting that I make an appointment for an administrative hearing. What is that and what can I expect?
An administrative hearing is one way we resolve violations of university policy. A formal investigation may or may not precede a resolution through an administrative hearing. Students are asked to schedule a meeting with a Student Conduct dean. At that meeting students will be given an opportunity to explain their involvement in an incident in which a policy infraction is at issue. A determination of responsibility will be made, and, if the student is found responsible, sanctions will be issued.
I was “written up" by an R.A. and now a Residence Coordinator has contacted me requesting to meet for a Conduct Meeting. What does that mean and how does it relate to the university disciplinary process?

Residence Coordinators (RCs) resolve some violations of university policy that occur in the residence halls. RCs will meet with students via conduct meetings to determine if a policy violation did in fact occur, and if so, issue sanctions. The advantage of a conduct meeting is that the incident is not recorded on a student's disciplinary record. Serious infractions of university policy, or students with a disciplinary history, will likely be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for university-level action through our disciplinary process.

Find out more about RC conduct meetings here.  

How are members of the Undergraduate Conduct Board selected?
The Undergraduate Conduct Board recruits new student members in the spring semester of each year. Rising juniors and seniors may apply.

Faculty or staff who are interested in joining the Board should contact Stephen Bryan at 919-684-6938. Faculty appointments are approved by the dean of Trinity College or the Pratt School of Engineering. Staff appointments are approved by the vice president of Student Affairs.
Why do students (and not just faculty and staff) participate in the Undergraduate Conduct Board?
The Duke Community Standard (DCS) stresses the commitment that students share with all members of the community to enhance the climate for honesty, fairness, respect, and accountability at Duke University. Further, The DCS asks that students not only reflect on their own behavior, as important as that is, but that they also act to encourage the integrity of their peers.

Participation in the Undergraduate Conduct Board is one way for students to shape their environment so that it reflects the ideals expressed in the Duke Community Standard.

[Adapted from the Duke Community Standard in Practice: A Guide for Undergraduates.]
How is it decided whether I have a UCB or an Administrative Hearing?
The majority of cases are usually handled by Administrative hearing. Undergraduate Conduct Board (UCB) hearings are usually reserved for serious cases in which the potential outcome includes suspension, if there are numerous witnesses, the facts of the case are complicated, and/or if the accused student(s) has/have previous offenses.

Students who face a possible sanction of suspension or expulsion may request to have his/her case heard by a panel of the UCB. Non-Greek groups who face possible dissolution may request a hearing by a panel of the UCB. Groups affiliated with IFC, NPHC, IGC or Panhellenic Association facing dissolution may request a panel hearing of the the Greek Conduct Board (GCB).
How are members of the Undergraduate Conduct Board selected for my panel?
Hearing panels charged with determining a verdict and a sanction shall consist of three students and two members of the faculty or staff selected from the Undergraduate Conduct Board (UJB). Hearing panels charged with determining only a sanction shall consist of two students and one faculty or staff member selected from the UJB. (In some circumstances, the conduct officer may choose to utilize a 5-person panel consisting of three students and two faculty or staff members to determine a sanction.) In most cases, panel members are selected for cases on the basis of availability.

(See Sexual Misconduct for hearing panel composition of these cases.)

An accused student may agree to a smaller panel or different student-to-faculty/staff ratio in the event that a full panel is not available. The accused student also may challenge any panel member if there is a significant conflict of interest. Such a challenge must be made at least 24 hours prior to the hearing and will be granted only for sufficient cause.
Copyright | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Duke.edu | Student Affairs | Dean of Students