2011-2012 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

Most violations of rules concerning
fraternities or sororities as organizations
are handled by the Associate Director
of Greek Life and Leadership. Some
serious offenses are referred directly
to the Office of Judicial Affairs and
Community Standards.
In matters involving rallies, picketing,
and other mass demonstrations, the Rules
of University Conduct outlines procedures.
The Office of Judicial Affairs and
Community Standards (located within
the Division of Student Affairs) is
responsible for all disciplinary affairs
concerning undergraduate students that
are not reserved to some other body.
The Office of Graduate Student Services
is responsible for all disciplinary affairs
concerning graduate students that are
not reserved to some other body.
Dean’s Discipline Process for
Undergraduate and Graduate
Students
The purpose of the Dean’s Discipline
process is twofold. First, it is used
to determine the accused student’s
responsibility for the alleged violation(s)
of Columbia Engineering or University
policy(ies). In addition, it is an
opportunity for the student to engage
in a meaningful conversation regarding
his or her role as a member of the
Columbia community. The Dean’s
Discipline process is not an adversarial
process, nor is it a legalistic one, and
therefore the technical rules of evidence
applicable to civil and criminal court
cases do not apply.
In a situation requiring immediate
action, a student may be removed from
housing, if applicable, and/or placed on
interim suspension by the Student Affairs
staff if it is determined that the student’s
behavior makes his or her presence
on campus a danger to the normal
operations of the institution, or to the
safety of himself or herself or others or to
the property of the University or others.
When a complaint is received, the
Office of Judicial Affairs and Community
Standards or Office of Graduate
Student Services determines whether
Dean’s Discipline is an appropriate
response or if the complaint should
be referred elsewhere. If a Dean’s
Discipline hearing is to occur, a student
is informed in writing of the complaint
made against him/her and of the next
step in the process. At the hearing, at
least two members of the staff of the
Dean of Student Affairs present the
accused student with the information
that supports the allegation that he/she
has violated Columbia Engineering or
University policy(ies). The student is then
asked to respond and will be given an
opportunity to present information on his
or her behalf.
At the conclusion of the hearing,
the hearing officers will make a
determination, based on all of the
information available to them, regarding
whether the accused student is
responsible for the violation(s). The
standard of proof used to make this
determination is the preponderance of
the evidence standard. This standard
allows for a finding of responsibility if
the information provided shows that it
is more likely than not that a violation
of Columbia policy(ies) occurred. If the
student is found responsible, the degree
of seriousness of the offense and the
student’s previous disciplinary record,
if any, will determine the severity of the
sanction that will be issued. The student
will be notified of the outcome of the
hearing in writing.
A student found responsible after
a hearing has the right to request an
appeal of the decision and the resulting
sanctions. There are three grounds upon
which an appeal of the decision may
be made. A student found responsible
for the violation of Columbia policy(ies)
may request a review of the decision
if: (1) the student has new information,
unavailable at the time of the hearing;
(2) the student has concerns with the
process that may change or affect
the outcome of the decision; or (3)
the student feels that the sanction
issued is too severe. The request for
review must be made in writing to the
individual indicated in the decision
letter and must be received within ten
(10) calendar days (or as indicated in
the hearing outcome letter) after the
student receives notice of the hearing
outcome. For more information about
the discipline process for undergraduate
students, please visit the Office
of Judicial Affairs and Community
Standards website (www.studentaffairs.
columbia.edu/judicialaffairs). For more
information about the discipline process
for graduate students, please visit the
Office of Graduate Student Services
website (www.engineering.columbia.
edu/graduate-student-services).
Confidentiality
In general, under University policy
and federal law, a student’s record,
including information about Dean’s
Discipline proceedings, is confidential;
however, there are certain exceptions
to this rule. One exception to this
principle is that the outcome of Dean’s
Disciplinary proceedings alleging a crime
of violence may be disclosed both to
the accuser and the accused. To read
more about the exceptions that apply
to the disclosure of student records
information, please visit http://facets.
columbia.edu/policy-access-studentrecords-ferpa.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity defines a university
and is essential to the mission of
education. At Columbia students are
expected to participate in an academic
community that honors intellectual work
and respects its origins. In particular,
the abilities to synthesize information
and produce original work are key
components in the learning process. As
such, academic dishonesty is one of
the most serious offenses a student can
commit at Columbia and can result in
dismissal.
Students rarely set out with the intent
of engaging in academic dishonesty.
But classes are challenging at Columbia,
and students will often find themselves
pressed for time, unprepared for an
assignment or exam, or feeling that the
risk of earning a poor grade outweighs
the need to be thorough. Such
circumstances lead some students to
behave in a manner that compromises
the integrity of the academic community,
disrespects their instructors and
classmates, and deprives them of an
opportunity to learn. In short, they cheat.
Students who find themselves in such
circumstances should immediately
contact their instructor and adviser for
advice.
The easiest way to avoid the
temptation to cheat in the first place is
to prepare yourself as best you can.
Here are some basic suggestions to
help you along the way:
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engineering 2011–2012