Take a trip down memory lane. And recall a time perhaps in high school or elementary school where you waited in anxiety over the prospect of getting in trouble. Remember how nerve racking it was? Now, skip ahead to the present and imagine the same feelings, but only this time during a University Student Conduct Hearing. Scary, huh? Many Kean students will finish their careers at Kean without a single problem with Student Conduct, however just as with any institution there is a code which should not be broken. Kean's code is called the Student Code of Conduct. So, read along to learn how not to end up having to defend yourself.The procedures occurring once the code is broken are consistent with Kean's community values. To uphold its' stance as a reputable institution, the University must have a process for those who break the code. Generally a complaint would be brought up against you if you were in violations. A list of reasons why anyone may generate a complaint may include the following: knowingly making or furnishing false, falsified, or forged information to any member of the University community; misuse of access privileges to University premises; theft of University property; causing threat or physical harm to others; and hazing or any activity subjecting a person to intimidation, discomfort, exhaustion, or mental distress.
The full description of violations can be found in The Guide, but generally anything your conscious tells you is wrong more than likely is. Any student who is brought up on charges, then will be investigated by the Office of Student Conduct to ensure the claim is valid. Upon this, it is possible the student can be considered an emotional or physical threat to themselves or others and they can be put on suspension even though hearing has not taken place.
If this happens, the student will receive a written notice of the complaint, need to attend a student conduct conference where the student is informed of the procedures, and participate in a student conduct hearing where a decision may be rendered.
During this time, a student can bring in any witnesses who have a direct involvement in the violation accused. The hearing officers would include members of the University faculty, staff, or consultant appointed by the Office of Student Conduct.
If a student is found responsible for the accused action, unless they did something completely dangerous, they will not be expelled. Some of the solutions to the problem are called "remedies". The Office of Student Conduct wants to assist students in problems which are able to be fixed. Remedies and sanctions can occur such as written warnings, letters of reprimand, probation, suspension, service assignments, fines for drug/alcohol violations, restitution of damaged property or stolen items, and in more extreme cases an issue of a "No Trespass" order either on campus or residence life.
In a scenario where a student was found responsible, they could request an appeal based on feelings of an unfair hearing or new information to support their innocence. If this sounds similar to a real judicial system, it's because it is designed to be similar to the way the court system works. What happens at Kean, unless you break the law by also violating a Kean code, will not affect you legally. However, just as in the real world if you are suspected of breaking a law, you will have to be notified why you were accused, what the ramifications are, and go through proceedings and hearings to see the outcome.
So, if you want to avoid any of this at all costs, simply follow the code. Kean has a good reputation when it comes to its students, but still there is The Guide to prevent certain situations. Grab your copy of The Cougar's Byte next week to find out which section we will finish our series with.
