What to Expect at a Conduct Hearing

1. The hearing is closed to everyone but the student, the student's advisor, the student conduct administrator, their advisor, the Hearing Officer, and one person to record the hearing. 
2. Both the student conduct administrator and the student may present witnesses to support their position. Witnesses will come in one by one and are only in the room while being questioned.
3. Both the student and a student conduct administrator may enter evidence (written statements, pictures, videos, text messages, police memos, etc.) at the hearing. Remove or blackout personally identifying information (such as other students' names, ID numbers, addresses, etc.) 
   1. The student should number their evidence to assist the Hearing Officer.
4. The student may bring an advisor. Review Executive Order 1098, Article II.C to understand who may serve as an advisor. 
   1. The advisor may provide advice to the student but may not speak or speak for the student. 
   2. The student may confer with your advisor by asking for a break in order to speak outside the hearing room. Alternatively, if permitted by the Hearing Officer, you may whisper and/or exchange notes.

1. The student conduct administrator will give an opening statement in support of the University’s position on the matter and will submit evidence.
2. The student will give an opening statement in support of their position and submit evidence.
3. The student conduct administrator will call their witnesses into the room one by one. They will ask the witness questions. When they finish, the student may ask the witness questions.
4. After a student conduct administrator presents all of their witnesses, the student will present your witnesses. The student will ask questions of their witnesses and then the student conduct administrator may ask questions.
5. The Hearing Officer may ask questions of any witness.
6. After all the witnesses, the student conduct administrator will give a closing statement with recommended sanctions.
7. The student will then give a closing statement with recommended sanctions (if any).
8. The Hearing Officer will close the hearing.

1. Within 10 working days, the Hearing Officer will submit a report to the President’s designee (currently the Vice President of Student Life). The report will outline what happened at the hearing, if, by the preponderance of the evidence, the Hearing Officer found that there was a violation(s), and, if so, recommended sanctions.
2. Where a finding of no violation is made, the Hearing Officer will submit a report to the Vice President for Student Life and the campus will inform the parties.
3. If a violation of policy is found, then the Hearing Officer will ask the parties to submit an impact statement regarding suggested disciplinary outcomes and information that they believe is important for the Hearing Officer to consider.
4. After reviewing the statements, the Hearing Officer will recommend sanctions and notify the campus, which will then notify the parties.
5. Any party who is not satisfied with the hearing outcome may file a written appeal with the CSU Chancellor’s Office.

The student should prepare for the hearing by:

1. Reviewing the Student Conduct Procedures (Executive Order 1098).
2. Writing notes about what the student intends to say in their opening and closing statements.
3. Considering what evidence the student would like to present to back up their position and prepare copies for the hearing officer.
4. Considering possible witnesses that will help them support their position. Ask them well in advance if they can attend the hearing and prepare them for what will happen at the hearing.
5. Considering who might be the best support at the hearing as the student's advisor. Ask the advisor well in advance if they can attend the hearing. Explain to the advisor what their role is and what they can/can’t do during the hearing. Discuss how to communicate during the hearing.
6. Think about, and write down, potential questions to ask both the witnesses and potential witnesses that a student conduct administrator may call.
7. The hearing can last up to three hours. Clearing their schedule so that the student can be there the whole time.
8. If the hearing is held in person, there will be water bottles, pads of paper, pens, and extra copies of EO 1098 at the hearing for the participant's use. If the hearing is held over Zoom, have a bottle of water, a pen and paper, student's notes, and any other materials that the student need, close at hand.