The Judicial Process

When a report is received alleging that a student or student organization may have violated the Code of Community Standards and Conduct, the student or student organization is notified that a meeting will take place with a College official. Spelman strives to ensure reasonable and fair proceedings that reflect the College's educational philosophy. The process is as follows:

Step 1: Student or student organization receives notification that there may be a violation of the College's policy, procedures, and/or regulations.

Step 2: Student or student organization (representative) meets with the Associate Dean of Students for an administrative hearing or to prepare for a hearing with the Community Standards Review Committee.

Step 3: The hearing or pre-hearing takes place.

Step 4: A decision is made either by the Associate Dean of Students for an administrative hearing or by the Community Standards Review Committee for a formal committee hearing. Decisions will be based upon supportive documentation, student or student organization statements, and/or witnesses to the behavior in question.

Step 5: If a student or student organization is found responsible for a violation, there may be sanction(s), condition(s), and/or restriction(s) administered along with a deadline for completion, if applicable.

Appeal Procedures

Spelman College will allow one (1) appeal for any decision resulting in deferred suspension, suspension, and expulsion. Appeals must be written and submitted to the appropriate appeal officer or committee within three business days from the receipt of the decision letter. Appeals must be detailed and state the grounds for appeal in order to be valid for review. Appeals are not intended to be a rehearing of the case and serves as a review of the written content to determine the validity of the appeal. Appeals must be based on one or more of the following:

Appropriateness of sanction(s), condition(s), and/or restriction(s) in light of the incident
Procedural error
Evidence of compelling additional information regarding the incident

Note: Appeals will be accepted from the student(s) involved in the case. Appeals from any other body other than the student(s) involved in the case will not be considered.

Committees

There are three (3) committees that serve the Division of Student Affairs:

Community Standards Review Committee
Community Standards Appeals Committee
Policy and Procedures Committee

Community Standards Review Committee and Community Standards Appeals Committee

The Community Standards Review Committee will conduct disciplinary hearings in referred cases. The committee will be composed of members of the College community who serve as a pool of members from which to choose for each hearing. There will be no more than five (5) members for each actual hearing. A quorum for the Committee is three (3) members with at least one member from each category (faculty, staff, and student) present.

The Community Standards Appeals Committee will convene to review written appeals from the Community Standards Review Committee's recommendations. The Committee will be composed of members of the College community who serve as a pool of members from which to choose for each appeal. A quorum for the committee is three (3) members with at least one member from each category (faculty, staff and student) present.

A chair for both committees will be appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and will be a member of the faculty or staff. In the absence of a chair, the Associate Dean of Students will name a chair from the previously selected committee members.

Policy and Procedures Committee

The Policy and Procedures Committee has the charge of reviewing the Student Handbook and the code of student conduct. The committee is selected by the Associate Dean of Students and is composed of members of the College community.

Residence Life--One representative
Student Activities--One representative
Public Safety--One representative
Academic Affairs--One representative
Office of the President--One representative
Student Government Association--One to three representatives

The Office of Student Affairs also reserves the option to appoint additional members to the Committee as deemed appropriate.