The Dean of Students Office strives to be a resource for students both on and off campus. Students have the right to charge a fellow student with a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. In a situation regarding rape or physical assault a victim has several options through the University:
Option 1 - Formal Hearing/Informal Hearing _____________________________________________________
The University will hold alleged aggressor accountable for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct for his/he actions. The University can wait until all court proceedings have been completed, and charge him/her with violations accordingly. The University has two methods to do this, a formal hearing process and an informal hearing process. A victim would not need to participate in either hearing process (if a victim does choose to participate, the victim would only participate in the event of a formal hearing, with a support person).
Option 2 - Charging via Code of Conduct ONLY____________________________________________________
If a victim chooses to not move forward in the court system, a victim can still choose to charge an alleged aggressor with a Student Code of Conduct violation. This process would generally require a victim to participate in a formal hearing (same process as above). Again, this is optional.
Option 3 - Discussion_________________________________________________________________________
If a victim does not move forward with court charges and does not wish to charge an alleged aggressor with a Student Code of Conduct violation, The Dean of Students Office would still have a discussion with the alleged aggressor, but that would be the extent; no further action would be taken.
Option 4 - No Contact Letter___________________________________________________________________
A victim also has the option of the University issuing an alleged aggressor a “No Contact Letter.” This letter prohibits an aggressor from engaging in any form of contact with a victim either through personal contact, electronic contact, or via a third party. If an aggressor violates the terms of a no contact letter, the aggressor will face severe repercussions (possible suspension). The University will not issue the letter until we hear from a victim that the victim would like us to do so. The no contact letter has no process attached, meaning no hearing needs to take place; if you want it, we do it immediately. A no contact letter can also be used in connection with any of the other options.
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