Linfield Peer Hearing Board

In order to provide equity and efficiency in the administration of conduct procedures, the following guidelines for the operation of the Linfield Peer Hearing Board have been created. 

PROCEDURES

The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the following general format:

  1. Introductions and a review of confidentiality.
  2. The chair shall read the incident report aloud and review the charges against the student. The student may share whether they concur with the charges or not. If the student concurs, the Board shall then consider the charges accurate and hear any information which the student may present in mitigation or explanation. 
  3. If the student does not concur, the Board will open the floor for the student to present any relevant evidence, witnesses, or information they may have.
  4. The student may ask questions of the Hearing Board members. Members may ask questions of the student charged as well as of any witness testifying at the hearing.
  5. The student and all other non-members of the Board will be excused.
  6. The Board will deliberate and formulate its findings and recommendations based on a preponderance of the evidence standard.

POST HEARING

The findings and recommendations of the Board will be emailed in writing to the student within 72 business hours.

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

After hearing a case, the Board may decide as follows:

  1. Not responsible for a violation: No violation has been proved based on a preponderance of the evidence.
  2. Responsible for a violation: A violation has been proved based on a preponderance of the evidence. In this case, the Board may impose a number of sanctions, individually or in a combination, including:
    1. warning: an official reprimand in writing, delivered to the student and placed in the student’s file.
    2. probation: a condition which stipulates that any further violations of regulations may result in a suspension. Length of probation will be specified.
    3. probation with terms: a condition which adds to regular probation stipulations that may deny the student certain privileges or requires certain action of the student.
    4. restitution or reimbursement: for damages or misappropriation of property.
    5. assigned work: educational exercises or physical labor.
    6. recommendation for suspension: separation from the University for a definite or indefinite period of time.
    7. other action that may seem appropriate for any given case.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHAIRPERSON

The chairperson of the Linfield University Hearing Board has the following responsibilities:

  • To decide all procedural matters during the hearing in accordance with established written guidelines and normal due process.
  • To control the conduct of the hearing with authority, to exclude any person who refuses to comply with the rules or determinations of the chairperson.
  • To prepare or cause to be prepared in writing the findings and recommendations of the Board, and to deliver them to the student within 72 business hours of the hearing.