The Peer Conduct Hearing Process

Taken Directly from the Student Conduct Code, Appendix 3:

Campus Peer Conduct Board (CPCB): The CPCB is chaired by the Associated Students' Commissioner of Justice who is appointed by the Dean of Students. In addition to the Commissioner of Justice, this board is comprised of up to seven voting student members (quorum requires 2 members including the Commissioner of Justice) who are selected annually by the Commissioner of Justice via an application process. The CPCB normally hears conduct cases comprising individuals and groups involving non-residential students as well as those conduct issues which occur in areas other than Residence Life. The board may also hear matters involving possible group responsibility. When appropriate, the CPCB will hear cases referred by the Residence Peer Conduct Board (RPCB). CPCB recommendations for suspension/expulsion shall be reviewed by the Dean of Students who will make the final decision pending a possible appeal. CPCB will hear matters regarding Student Government.

Residence Peer Conduct Board (RPCB): The RPCB is comprised of up to seven voting student members (quorum requires 2 members). It is their responsibility to hear conduct cases involving violations of the Student Conduct Code including violations of Residence Life policies and procedures and to impose appropriate sanctions. The RPCB normally hears conduct cases comprising individuals and groups involving residential students as well as those conduct issues which occur in areas other than Residence Life. The Board may also hear matters involving possible group responsibility. When appropriate, the RPCB will hear cases referred by the CPCB. Sanctions, up to and including revocation of housing privileges, may be appealed to the Director of Housing and Residence Life. RPCB recommendations for suspension/expulsion and removal from housing shall also be reviewed by the Director of Housing and Residence Life who will make the final decision pending a possible appeal to the Conduct Appeals Board or the Dean of Students.

The CPCB/RPCB process is more formal then the Administrative Hearing process. CPCB/RPCB are peer based conduct boards, meaning that students are hearing other students’ cases, deciding responsibility, and determining sanctions.

Below is an abbreviated outline of the peer conduct board hearing process:

1. The Presiding Officer initiates the start of the hearing.
2. The complainant (complaining party) and respondent (accused student) provide an opening statement.
3. The complainant and respondent provide an account of the situation.
4. The board will then ask both the complainant and respondent questions.
5. The complainant and respondent provide a closing statement.
6. The board then conducts a closed-door deliberation based on the facts of the case and if the facts provide evidence that it is more likely then not the respondent committed the violations as charged.
7. Once the board has come to a decision, both parties are invited back to the hearing room. The board announces its decision.
8. If the student is found not responsible for the violations, everyone is dismissed, the hearing is over.
9. If the student is found responsible the board commences a discussion about appropriate sanctions given the incident, violations, and respondent’s past history.
10. The respondent and complainant are both able to provide sanctioning recommendations and any mitigating and/or aggravating circumstances.
11. The board then dismisses all parties and proceeds into a closed-door deliberation regarding sanctioning. Once the board has reached consensus on sanctions, all board members are dismissed.
12. The Presiding Officer of the hearing then documents the process of the board in a Presiding Officer Report. When that Report has been reviewed by the Board Advisor, the Final Outcome letter is sent to the student.

Students who have attended the CPCB/RPCB process do have the right to an appeal the finding and/or sanctions. If a student chooses not to appear at the hearing, or fails to schedule a hearing that student loses the right to an appeal.

Please note:

• Attorneys are not permitted to represent accused students. Students may have advocates with them and that advocate may advise the student but not address the board. See the Code (Article IV, Part D, Hearings) more details on this element of the hearing process.
• Final Outcome letters are not sent without the Presiding Officer Report.
• All correspondence for Administrative and Peer Conduct Board hearings are sent via a student’s “@chapman.edu” email address. No other email will be utilized due to privacy rights.