Any student accused of violating a policy shall appear before one or more duly constituted hearing persons (the Dean of Students or the Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities) or hearing boards. However, the University reserves the right to respond immediately in situations in which the University or its representatives believe that because of a student’s behavior, there exists a threat of imminent danger to the student or others, significant disruption of the ability of other students to study or sleep, or significant damage to University property. Such response may include a temporary removal of the student from their living situation on campus or from the campus as a whole. Return to campus will be based on a decision by the Dean of Students that the student is able to function safely as a member of the academic community.

Hearings

Hearings shall adhere to the basic fundamentals of fairness as stated below:

1. The student shall be notified in person or via campus e-mail by an appropriate official of the University that the student is accused of violating a policy.
2. The student shall be notified that they may elect one of three courses of action:
   1. The student may admit the alleged violation and request a hearing before the appropriate hearing board.
   2. The student may deny the alleged violation, in which case a hearing will be held by the appropriate hearing board.
   3. The student may meet with the Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities to admit the alleged violation and receive sanctions.  
3. The student shall be entitled to an expeditious hearing of the case.
4. The hearing shall be of an informal nature and need not adhere to formal rules of procedure or technical rules of evidence followed by courts of law. 
5. Following due notification of the hearing the student shall be entitled to the following:
   1. Notification of the time and place of the hearing.
   2. Statement of the charges of sufficient specificity to enable the student to prepare their defense.
   3. A copy of the procedures as outlined here.
6. The student shall be entitled to appear in person and to present their defense to the hearing board and may call witnesses on their behalf. The student may also elect not to appear before the hearing board if they have notified the appropriate board. Should the student elect not to appear, the hearing shall be held in their absence.
7. The student shall be entitled to assistance from any member of the University community: faculty, staff, or student. If a lawyer is to be consulted, such a person may give any advice they believe is pertinent, but they may not enter into the proceeding of the hearing board or attend the hearing.
8. The student shall be entitled to ask questions of the hearing board or any witness, subject to any other policies.
9. The student shall be entitled to refuse to answer questions.
10. A record of the Linfield University Hearing Board hearings shall be made; a summary of the Peer Hearing Board hearing shall be made.
11. In Linfield University Hearing Board cases, the student and all other non-members of the hearing board shall be excused when the council deliberates on its decision. That decision will be presented in writing to the Dean of Students, who will in turn notify the student of the board’s decision. Decisions made by the Peer Hearing Board will be sent to students via e-mail from the Peer Hearing Board Chairperson.