University Hearing Board
The University Hearing Board is an integral part of the campus community and strives
to support the mission of the department and the larger WCU community. Comprised of
students, faculty, and staff, the University Hearing Board reviews student conduct
cases and is the most formal process in the University's conduct system.
The University Hearing Board provides an opportunity for students to serve the University
community, develop life-long skills in facilitating and resolving conflicts, and promote
civility and citizenship within the WCU community.
University Hearing Board members gain a variety of skills through their experience.
Participation on the University Hearing Board will be included on a student’s cocurricular
transcript and is a unique leadership position.
Additionally, Board members will:
- Have an opportunity to make an impact on students by assisting them in their growth
and development.
- Gain experience in analytical and critical thinking, decision making, and understanding
the principles of due process.
- Become more familiar with University policies and procedures.
- Uphold community standards that support our commitment to civility, including maintaining
an environment that affirms the worth and dignity of each member of our community
and which supports the ideals of an inclusive society.
Students interested in applying for the University Hearing Board need to complete
an application and supply references. Applicants must be in good academic standing (2.5 or higher GPA) and free of any
disciplinary restrictions. Training is required prior to serving on a case.
Interested staff and faculty members should contact the Office of Student Conduct.
FAQs
- Your role is to review all the information presented at the hearing, ask questions
and listen carefully to all parties, and, based on the evidence presented, make a
determination of whether or not it is more likely than not that the Student Code of
Conduct was violated.
- If a student or a student group is found to be responsible for violating the Student
Code of Conduct, you will also be responsible for determining an appropriate sanction
outcome.
- Boards are composed of a Chairperson (a faculty or professional staff member) and
two student members. As one of three decision makers, it is your responsibility to
prepare in advance of the hearing by reviewing all the materials and preparing questions
for the various participants.
Each board is comprised of one professional staff or faculty member and two other
members. All three members have equal involvement in hearing disciplinary cases and
rendering decisions. An Appeal Board is comprised on one faculty member, one staff
member, and one student member.
Experience on the University Hearing Board can be directly tied to a wide array of
career choices and academic majors including, but not limited to:
- Anthropology
- Business Management
- Communication Studies
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- English
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Languages and Culture
- Liberal Studies
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
In order to serve on a University Hearing Board, you will complete an initial 3-hour
on-boarding training to ensure you are well-versed in the Student Code of Conduct,
due process, and the Office of Student Conduct's procedures. Supplemental training
sessions and case reviews will be provided as needed.
In addition to the time commitment for training, your participation and time commitment
will vary depending on your academic, work, and extracurricular schedule. Board hearings
typically take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The time for each case
depends upon the number of witnesses and the complexity of the case but you are typically
asked to block two hours for a hearing. Prior to a hearing, you will also need to
spend 30-60 minutes reviewing the materials and preparing questions.
Students wishing to serve on the University Hearing Board must complete an application
and submit two letters of reference. In addition, a student must:
- Be in good academic standing (GPA 2.5 or above);
- Be free of any disciplinary restrictions;
- Complete an interview with the University Hearing Board Advisor;
- Uphold the ethical standards and expectations of the Board; and
- Attend the University Hearing Board new member training.
Members may remove themselves from a case if knowledge of an event or of the individual(s)
involved would affect their objectivity.
