Student Handbook - Sweet Briar College

If necessary and deemed appropriate by the Non-Academic JudicialChair, a Judicial Representative may act as the investigator.In a Non-Academic Trial, a committee representative is assigned as theStudent Investigator. This representative, with the advice and counsel ofthe Chair, the Director of Residence Life, or the Dean, gathers evidence,interviews witnesses, and investigates the potential violation.In a situation where the student in question did not initiate theinvestigation by turning herself in, she should be directly and personallynotified by the Judicial Chair. The notification should be only of thepotential violation in question, and of the investigation process.The procedure is to be conducted with the utmost tact, discretion, andconcern for the privacy of all involved, particularly and primarily theprivacy of the accused individual. Consequently, the Student Investigatormay not have access to any academic or disciplinary files, nor consider astudent’s prior record. The standard for determining the appropriatenessand usefulness of evidence by the Chair and/or Investigator is whether itsuse is “reasonable” to the average person. Only information of which thewitness has direct knowledge can be considered.The student in question may refuse to give information or a statementduring any phase of the proceedings. Such refusal shall not refusal betaken as an admission of guilt. She can also seek the help or guidance ofan Advocate, as stated under Student Rights.If upon initial investigation the Student Investigator, the Chair, theDirector of Residence Life or the Dean determines there is insufficientevidence of a violation the case is dismissed. All records, files, or notes ofthe Student Investigator are to be erased or destroyed, and the student inquestion shall be notified directly by the Judicial Chair.B. HearingUpon determining that there is sufficient evidence that a violation mayhave occurred, the individual student in question is called to a Hearing.The written notification must be issued not less than 24 hours in advance,give the time and place, the violation, and may include possiblesanctions.For a violation of the Honor Code Standards of Non-Academic Conduct,the Hearing will include the Director of Residence Life, the JudicialChair, a Judicial Secretary, one Judicial Committee representative, thestudent accuser(s), if determined appropriate by the Non-AcademicJudicial Chair. If necessary, the role of the Judicial Secretary may befilled by an additional Judicial Representative who will act as Secretaryin her stead. If this occurs, then the accused shall be notified of the________________________________________________________________62