2008-2009 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

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(CUIT) policies and procedures
• selling or otherwise commercializing
notes (whether taken in class by a
student or distributed to the class
by an instructor), syllabi, exams, or
content on a University or individual
faculty member Web site that is not
accessible to anyone outside of the
University community
• representing any commercial interest
on campus or operating any business
on campus without authorization from
the Associate Dean of Career Services
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
Many policy violations that occur in the
Residence Halls rules are handled by the
Associate Directors of Residential
Programs. Some serious offenses are
referred directly to the Assistant Dean
for Judicial Affairs. Violations in
University Apartment Housing are handled
by building managers and housing
officials. Some serious offenses are
referred directly to the School’s housing
liaison in the Office of Graduate Student
Services.
Most violations of rules concerning
fraternities or sororities as organizations
are handled by the Assistant Director of
Greek Life and Leadership. Some serious
offenses are referred directly to the
Office of Judicial Affairs.
In matters involving rallies, picketing,
and other mass demonstrations, the
Rules of University Conduct outlines
procedures.
The Office of Judicial Affairs (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 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 SEAS 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.
After a complaint is received a student
may be removed from housing
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 determines
whether Dean’s Discipline is an appropriate
response or if the complaint should
be referred elsewhere. If Dean’s
Discipline is to occur, a student is
informed in writing of the complaint
made against him/her and of the time
and place of the hearing. 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 SEAS 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 administrators will make a determination,
based on all of the information
available to them, regarding whether the
accused student is responsible for the
violation. The standard of proof that the
hearing administers will use to make this
determination is the preponderance of
the evidence standard. This standard
allows for a finding of responsibility if the
information provided in the hearing
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 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
SEAS 2008–2009