Suffolk University - Frequently Asked Questions

Suffolk University has established the Community Standards and Student Discipline System to promote and maintain an academic environment that is consistent with the mission of the University.

How do I file a report?

Complaints can be reported to the Student Affairs Office. A copy of an incident report is available under the “Submit a Complaint” section of the website. Any member of the Suffolk University community can submit a complaint within 30 days of discovery of the alleged violation.

I received a letter that I have to schedule an informal conference. What’s that?

An informal conference is an informal meeting of a student alleged to have violated the Community Standards, a dean, and the complainant for the purpose of achieving resolution with all parties agreeing to the outcome. If an agreement is reached, the case will end with no opportunity for appeal. If no agreement is reached, the case will be dismissed or referred for a formal discipline hearing.

What’s the difference between an administrative hearing and a Student Discipline Committee hearing?

Both hearings are formal hearings. A dean serves as the hearing officer in an administrative hearing. The Student Discipline Committee is comprised of a dean, faculty member and student with the purpose to determine whether a student has violated the Community Standards and to recommend sanctions that may be imposed when a violation of the Community Standards has been found.

What happens at an administrative hearing or Student Discipline Committee hearing?

The general order of a formal discipline hearing is as follows:

Introduction of the discipline hearing, dean, charged student, complainant and witnesses (if called)
Honesty statement
Opportunity for the charged student and complainant to challenge the dean and/or Student Discipline Comittee for bias
Reading of the charges
Charged student’s response to the charges: responsible, not responsible or no response
Opening statements
Questioning by the dean and/or Student Discipline Committee
Witness statements
Questioning by the complainant, charged student and dean and/or Student Discipline Committee
Closing statements
Hearing closure
Deliberations by the dean or Student Discipline Committee

What are my rights within the Student Discipline System?

A charged student and alleged victim of a charged student’s misconduct will be entitled to:

Receive written notice of charges
Obtain the name of the individual complainant (if applicable)
View the written complaint in the Student Affairs Office in the presence of a Student Affairs Office staff member during normal business hours
Be notified of the date, time and place of the administrative hearing
Receive notice of the fact that failure to schedule an administrative hearing by the due date or appear for an administrative hearing may result in the administrative hearing being conducted in the absence of the charged student or alleged victim of the charged student’s misconduct
Provide the names of up to 4 witnesses with knowledge of the incident that may appear at an administrative hearing on his/her behalf to the Dean of Students, or designee, within 48 hours of the hearing. If the charged student wishes to present more than 4 witnesses, he/she must submit a written request to the Dean of Students, or designee, indicating the names of the additional witnesses and why their testimony would be beneficial. The request must be submitted to the Dean of Students, or designee, at least 48 hours prior to the administrative hearing. Character witnesses are not permitted.

Challenge the appointment of the dean for bias
Present his/her case
Decline to answer any questions or make any statements during an administrative hearing. The outcome of the administrative hearing will be based upon the information or lack thereof presented at the hearing
Be informed in writing of the decision and sanction, if any
Request an appeal in writing of the decision resulting from an administrative hearing no later than 5 business days after the date of the determination letter. Notification is the date on which a document is mailed, an email is sent, a telephone conversation takes place or a written message is delivered.

A charged student and alleged victim of a charged student’s misconduct is entitled to one appeal

How can I find out the details of a complaint?

A student may view the complaint at the Student Affairs Office and seek clarification of all the charges and procedures. All names (other than the student requesting the report) will be blocked out to protect the privacy and confidentiality of other individuals.

What if I was not aware of the particular policy for which I am being charged?

Every student is responsible for knowing the rules as outlined in the Student Policies and Procedures Handbook. Therefore, it is important to ask questions if you unsure of the policies.

Can I be held accountable for my behavior off campus?

Yes. The Community Standards and Student Discipline System applies to off-campus conduct that adversely affects the College community or the pursuit of its objectives or calls into question the suitability of a student as a member of Suffolk University Community.

What should I do to prepare for an informal conference or a hearing?

Familiarize yourself with the Community Standards and other University policies
Schedule the informal conference within the required time frame. Make arrangements to be there on time
Learn the details of the complaint
If you are having an administrative hearing of a Student Discipline Committee hearing and plan to have witness appear on your behalf, submit their names to the Student Affairs Office within 48 hours of the hearing. Contact an advocate from the Suffolk Community
Prepare opening and concluding statements
Dress appropriately by avoiding overly casual attire (e.g., hats, sandals, torn clothing, etc.)

How many witnesses can I bring?

Students may bring up to 4 witnesses to a formal discipline hearing who have knowledge of the incident. The names of the witnesses should be submitted to the Student Affairs Office within 48 hours of the hearing. Character witnesses are not permitted.

Can legal counsel represent me during the hearing process?

Legal counsel may not represent you at a hearing.

What happens if I cannot attend the informal conference or the discipline hearing?

If you cannot attend the hearing due to an unavoidable circumstance then you should immediately contact the Student Affairs Office. Obtain the name of the person you speak with. Efforts may be made to reschedule the hearing; however, it is not always possible or likely that this will occur. Therefore, you should be aware that a hearing could proceed in your absence.

What will happen if I am found responsible for violating University policy?

If you are found responsible for violating University policy, you will be assigned a sanction(s) that you will be required to complete. The types of sanctions will depend upon the seriousness of the violation and your disciplinary history.

When and how can I appeal a decision?

The outcome of a disciplinary conference can not be appealed. If you do not agree with the outcome, the complaint will be forwarded for an administrative or Student Discipline Committee hearing.

The outcome of an administrative hearing of a Student Discipline Committee hearing may be appealed with in 5 days of your being notified of the outcome. An appeal will be considered if there was a failure to follow the process or procedures outlined in the Student Discipline System. An appeal is not a new hearing on the matter.

Will my parents/guardian be notified of an incident?

Your parents/guardian will be notified of an incident if you are under 21 and you are found responsible for an alcohol or other drug violation.

What goes on my record if I am found responsible for violating University policy and how might that impact me in the future?

Records of all disciplinary proceedings involving students are maintained in the Student Affairs Office. Your disciplinary record is not part of your academic transcript. Repeated violations of the Community Standards may affect your active participation in some college activities. If you transfer to another institution, you may be required to submit a dean’s certification as part of the application process. If that is the case, the incident may be discussed by Suffolk’s Dean of Students. You may also be required by employers to provide a letter from the Dean of Students that you had a clear disciplinary record disciplinary record in college.