What is an Administrative Hearing?
An Administrative Hearing takes place when formal charges/alleged violations are processed and a hearing is scheduled with a single administrator. In most cases, this individual hearing officer is a member of the Office of Community Standards or Office of Residence Life. The Office of Community Standards determines who shall hear a case. Your notice should detail the contact information for the administrator responsible for the hearing. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Community Standards at (610) 660-1046.
Preparing for an Administrative Hearing:
Note: These are guidelines for preparation only. In some instances, there may be requirements and/or deadlines issued, to which you must comply.
1) The administrative hearing officer will be respectful to you as a fellow member of the SJU community and will expect that you conduct yourself respectfully in return.
2) Dress appropriately for your hearing as a signal of the seriousness with which you are taking the proceedings.
3) Show up on time for the hearing. If you do not know where to go, try to find the hearing location beforehand. Be sure to give yourself enough time to make it, especially if you are coming from off-campus and need to find a parking spot.
4) Do your homework before the hearing. Learn about the Community Standards process and the standards you have been charged with violating. If you are a resident student, and if appropriate, talk to your Resident Assistant or someone in Residence Life. Consult with a Community Standards Advisor if needed.
5) You may want to visit the hearing officer prior to the hearing to review the incident report. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure of something or need clarification. Email or call the hearing officer or stop by his or her office. In some cases, a pre-hearing will be scheduled for you to review the report and ask questions you may have.
6) During the hearing, you are able to present pertinent information and testimony of witnesses to substantiate your case. If you are thinking about bringing a witness to the hearing, let the hearing officer know.
7) Finally, remember that the hearing is your opportunity to share your experience with regards to the incident report. It is important to be honest and mature throughout the conversation. We do value this honesty and maturity in our process.
What is an Alternative Resolution?
At times, the Office of Community Standards may decide to address behavioral concerns with students in the absence of formal charges for violations of policy. It is important that all students treat these communications seriously, as failing to do so can result in a different administrative action, including formal charges. Requested meetings should be treated with the same degree of seriousness as formal hearings.
Any professional staff member of the University community may be responsible for the resolution meeting, consistent with the published process. In most cases, the responsible administrator is a member of the Office of Community Standards or Office of Residence Life. Your notice should detail the contact information for the administrator responsible for the resolution. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Community Standards at (610) 660-1046.
Preparing for a Resolution Meeting/Hearing:
Note: These are guidelines for preparation only. In some instances, there may be requirements and/or deadlines issued, to which you must comply.
1) Alternative resolutions are not charges for violating the Community Standards. Rather, they are another option for resolving a complaint or addressing concerning behavior. As noted above, if you do not demonstrate good faith participation in this resolution option, formal charges may result.
2) The administrator responsible for your alternative resolution will be respectful to you as a fellow member of the SJU community and will expect that you conduct yourself respectfully in return.
3) Dress appropriately for any meetings that take place as a signal of the seriousness with which you are taking the proceedings.
4) Show up on time for the meeting. If you do not know where to go, try to find the meeting location beforehand. Be sure to give yourself enough time to make it, especially if you are coming from off-campus and need to find a parking spot.
5) Remember that it is important to be honest and mature throughout the conversation. We do value this honesty and maturity in our process.
