Roles Within the Conduct Process

Part 3.

3.1 In most cases, the reporting individual or University office which files a complaint that proceeds to a formal conduct process is the “complainant”. In cases involving potential violations of the Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault Prevention Policy, discussed at Part 10 of this Handbook, “Complainant” means an individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct prohibited by the policy. The student or student organization against whom the complaint is filed is the “respondent”.

3.2 The Dean of Students Office is responsible for coordinating support and advisory resources that are available to complainants and respondents involved in the University Student Conduct System. The Dean of Students Office will guide parties to on- and off-campus resources, including available advisors.

3.3 Graduate Assistants and Practicum Assistants are graduate students who educate complainants and respondents with regard to University Student Conduct System procedures; act as conduct officers in reaching informal resolutions of conduct complaints; and manage student referrals to University and community resources designed to assist students in fulfilling conduct sanctions.

3.4 Residence Directors are live-in professional staff in Student Living who educate complainants and respondents with regard to University Student Conduct System procedures; act as conduct officers in reaching informal resolutions of conduct complainants; and manage student referrals to University and community resources designed to assist students in fulfilling conduct sanctions.

3.5 The Coordinators of Community Standards are professional staff members who act as conduct officers in reaching informal resolution of student conduct complaints; advise the University Conduct Board; serve as administrative hearing officers; design and provide training and educational programming to the University community, and offer follow up support for students subsequent to the resolution of their conduct cases.

3.6 The Student Conduct Investigator investigates allegations of individual student and student organization misconduct; presents investigation materials to the University Conduct Board; and/or may file charges and serve as a complainant in the conduct process. The Student Conduct Investigator may serve as a conduct officer. Student conduct investigations may also be completed by personnel from Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Resolution Services, the Department of Public Safety, other internal personnel, or external professionals as appropriate.

3.7 The Associate Director of Community Standards acts as a conduct officer; advises the University Appeals Board; serves as an administrative hearing officer; provides training, advising, and educational programming to members of the University community concerning the University Student Conduct System; and acts at the direction and on behalf of the Director of Community Standards.

3.8 The Director of Community Standards directs the activities of the University Student Conduct System and acts as a conduct officer. The Director of Community Standards approves informal resolutions to conduct complaints; appoints University Conduct Board members; assigns conduct officers; serves as an administrative hearing officer; confirms University Conduct Board decisions; advises or arranges for the legal advisement of the University Appeals Board; and assures that the overall functioning of the University Student Conduct System is consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

3.9 The Dean of Students or a designee is responsible for the overall supervision of the University Student Conduct System, the imposition of interim suspensions, the appointment of University Appeals Board members, and the confirmation of University Appeals Board decisions, except as otherwise provided herein. Certain administrators have been granted authority to take specific administrative actions to promote the safety and well-being of members of the University community and to enforce other administrative policies.

a. Senior Director of Student Living, or a designee, is authorized to respond to alleged violations of Student Living Residential Policies consistent with the policies published by Student Living. These policies and procedures are independent of the University Student Conduct System. Questions about Student Living Residential Policies process should be directed to Student Living, 111 Waverly Avenue, Suite 200, or 315.443.3637.

The Senior Director of Student Living, or a designee, is also permitted to respond on an emergency basis to behavioral incidents alleged to violate the Code of Student Conduct by relocating a student within or removing a student from University housing on a temporary basis pending fulfillment of specific conditions and/or review of the matter by the University Student Conduct System.

b. The Barnes Center Clinical Director and Medical Director, or designee are authorized to respond to significant psychological, physical, or substance-abuse related conditions or other student behavior that poses a direct threat to members of the University community. A student who fails to attend and actively participate in an assessment, educational program, and/or other intervention as required or who engages in behaviors that pose a direct threat to members of the University community may be interimly suspended.

c. The Chief Equal Opportunity & Title IX Officer, also known as the Title IX Coordinator, or a designee, is authorized to respond to alleged incidents of sex or gender-based discrimination or harassment, and other federal or state discrimination laws. This includes providing interim relief such as adjusting academic schedules, relocating students in housing, or issuing a temporary no contact order or other actions consistent with the University’s responsibilities. Questions about discrimination or harassment, as well as the implications of Title IX, should be directed to Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services, 005 Steele Hall, 315.443.0211 or titleix@syr.edu.

d. The Director of Recreation, or a designee, is authorized to respond to alleged violations of the Barnes Center Recreation published and/or posted policies. These policies and procedures are independent of the University Student Conduct System. Questions about Recreation policies should be directed to the Barnes Center, 150 Sims Drive, 315.443.8000 or edu/bewell.

e. The Assistant Dean of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, or a designee, is authorized to respond to alleged violations of policies of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs consistent with published policies and procedures. These policies and procedures are independent of the University Student Conduct System. Questions about policies of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs should be directed to Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, 100 Women’s Building, 315.443.2718 or syr.edu.