The following is essential information for students, parents, and others in the GW community regarding the University Hearing Board.

Number of UHB Members
University Hearing Board members are selected for each case from a pool of students, faculty, and staff members. The minimum number of UHB members needed to hear a case is three students. As many as five students and one faculty or staff member may hear a case. One of the students will serve as the Presiding Officer. This student will conduct the administrative portions of the hearing and will serve as the facilitator of the UHB during the hearing.

Breaks, Recesses, and Disruptions
UHB hearings are usually 60 to 90 minutes in length, but may be longer under certain circumstances. The Presiding Officer or UHB Advisor may authorize short breaks or recesses as necessary. Disruptions to UHB hearings will not be tolerated. Anyone disrupting a UHB hearing will be warned and/or removed from the hearing at the discretion of the Presiding Officer or UHB Advisor.

Deliberations
UHB deliberations are private, and the discussions of the UHB members are kept strictly confidential. UHB deliberations are bifurcated, or split into two parts. The first question UHB members consider is whether the respondent violated University policy. If the UHB members find the student "in violation" of a provision in the "Code of Student Conduct", the UHB members then consider the next question: What should be the University's response to the student's behavior? This second question is where UHB members consider appropriate sanctions for a student who violated University policy. Students are only assigned sanctions after they are found in violation of University policy.

Records of UHB Hearings
UHB hearings are audio recorded. UHB deliberations are not recorded. The audio recordings of UHB hearings may be reviewed during an appeal.  A student may submit a request in writing to the Office of Student Judicial Services in order to receive a copy of the audio recording(s) in his or her case. Additionally, the Presiding Officer completes an Adjudication Report listing the UHB members' finding(s) and, if necessary, sanction recommendations. The Adjudication Report may also include any aggravating or mitigating factors considered by the UHB members in making their decision.

UHB Decisions
The decision of the UHB is presented, in the form of the Adjudication Report, to the Assistant Dean of Students. The Assistant Dean of Students reviews the decision to ensure the UHB members followed University policy, considered all the facts of the case, and if necessary, recommended appropriate sanctions. Sanction recommendations of suspension or expulsion from the University are forwarded to the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students for consideration. All other recommendations are considered by the Assistant Dean of Students. The respondent will receive a letter indicating the finding(s) and sanction(s), if any, within a reasonable amount of time from the date of the UHB hearing. Generally, letters are available within five (5) business days of the UHB hearing. These letters are available for pick up in the Office of Student Judicial Services in John Quincy Adams House. When picking up the letter, the respondent can ask any questions he or she may have about the contents of the letter.

Assigned Sanction(s)
Any sanctions assigned as a result of a violation of the "Code of Student Conduct" must be completed by the deadline(s) listed in the sanction letter that the respondent picked up from SJS. Reasonable extensions of sanction deadlines may be granted by SJS staff members for circumstances outside a student's control. Failure to complete a sanction by the listed deadline will result in additional judicial action taken by the University.

Appeals
Respondents may appeal the decisions of the UHB. Requests for appeal must be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Judicial Services in 2129 I Street, NW, the John Quincy Adams House within five (5) business days of the date of the sanction letter. Appeal requests should be addressed to the Senior Assistant Dean of Students. Appeals must be based on new information that is relevant to the case, not presented during the hearing, and that significantly alters the finding of fact. There is no other basis for an appeal. For more information regarding appeals, please read Articles 32, Article 33, Article 34, and Article 35 of the "Code of Student Conduct".