According to Article 18 of the "Code of Student Conduct," a student charged with a disciplinary violation - called a respondent - may elect to have his or her case heard at a Disciplinary Conference instead of before the University Hearing Board.

Enclosed with the charge letter for every UHB-level case - those that could result in a student's loss of University housing, suspension, or expulsion - is an Election of Action form that must be completed and returned to the Office of Student Judicial Services in John Quincy Adams House by the deadline listed in the letter. Choosing between the two types of disciplinary proceedings can be confusing. Hopefully this information will be of assistance.

UHB hearings involve more people and can seem more formal than a Disciplinary Conference. Students involved in particularly complex cases or those that involve a great deal of information sometimes prefer several people to examine the facts at issue. Some respondents want more eyes looking at the case and more ears listening to their statements and those of any witnesses.

UHB Disciplinary Conferences - called UHB-DCs - are much more conversational in tone, which is why students in more clear-cut cases sometimes choose this option. If few facts are in dispute, perhaps a less formal, one-on-one conversation with a student/faculty/staff UHB member would be more appropriate. If so, the UHB-DC may be the way to go.

In either type of proceeding, a member of the SJS staff will ensure the respondent is afforded all the rights guaranteed by the "Code of Student Conduct" and advise the UHB member(s) on procedural and technical matters. Additionally, the full range of sanctions - including loss of housing, suspension, and expulsion - is available in either type of disciplinary proceeding.

The ultimate choice between a UHB hearing and a UHB-DC is one of personal comfort. Some students prefer speaking with several people; others are more comfortable in a smaller setting.

Election of Action Form
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)