Habitats: Guide to On-Campus Living - Tufts University

Most often, an appeal hearing will follow this format:
> Opening statement of the responding party (5 minutes)
> Opening statement of the appealing party (5 minutes)
> Questioning of both parties by the RJB
> Questioning of both parties by each other
> Closing statement of the responding party (10 minutes)
> Closing statement of the appealing party or advocate (10 minutes)
Deliberation – Once all of the facts have been presented and the panel has a full picture
of the case, the RJB will go into executive session. At this time, the panel will make a decision
based on the evidence presented. Depending on the type of hearing, the role of the
RJB is to either:
1. Determine if the student(s) involved is responsible for the policy violation. If so, the
RJB will then assign an appropriate consequence in accordance with Habitats.
2. If the hearing is an appeal, the RJB will decide either to: uphold the decision of the
Assistant Director or overturn the decision of the Assistant Director.
Notification of Outcome – Once the RJB has made their decision the student(s)
involved will be notified the following business day. The notification will be sent out via
email. The RD of the student(s) will be copied on the information as well.
All sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have lived on the Medford/Somerville campus for at
least one academic year are eligible to serve on the RJB. Students interested in applying for a
position on the RJB should inquire with the assistant director in the ORLL.
The Option of Mediation – The University Judicial Affairs Officer, other Dean of Student
Affairs’ staff and members of the ORLL staff are prepared to mediate between parties in an
attempt to resolve student concerns. This approach requires that both parties desire to
achieve a negotiated resolution and are willing to waive their rights to a disciplinary hearing
(university or residential). Mediation may also be a useful tool to help resolve issues about
sharing a room and members of the in-hall residential staff can facilitate this process.
A resolution reached through mediation is final and not subject to appeal once the mediation
agreement is signed by both parties.
A violation of the resolution or disregard of its terms may result in disciplinary action as
indicated in the signed agreement. In the event that a resolution is violated and the agreement
did not specify a resulting outcome, the Dean of Student Affairs Office or Office of
Residential Life and Learning will determine whether to call a hearing to address the
original charges and/or take action for the violation.
46