Student Conduct Hearing Board

The Residential Life Student Conduct Board is a peer review group which is composed of students from On-Campus Housing and assembles whenever reports of student misconduct within the residence areas result in a conduct hearing. The Board’s purpose on such occasions is to determine the critical facts of the incident in question (i.e., what person, if any, is responsible and to what degree) by objectively examining the facts surrounding the incident and to reach a decision which is fair and beneficial to all involved. The Board does not allocate punishments; rather, they recommend to the RD sanctions which may be appropriate.

"Due process" will be followed at the hearing. This means that the accused student has certain rights that are guaranteed by the University in order to assure a fair and impartial hearing. These rights include:

Written notification of charges and time and place of the hearing
The right to a pre-hearing review of relevant documents that are in possession of the Judicial Affairs Coordinator
The opportunity to present evidence in an orderly manner
The right to examine and cross-examine witnesses
The right to appeal decisions

For more information on "due process", please refer to the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students and the UCLA On-Campus Housing Conduct Procedures.

Information presented to the Board is expected to be truthful and complete. Misrepresentation of the facts violates both the trust and respect granted to the members of the University community. Giving false information during a student conduct hearing will be considered a violation of University Student Conduct Policy, and may result in disciplinary action being brought against the person providing the false information.

**In the event the Residential Life Student Conduct Board is unable to meet, the case will be heard by an Administrative Hearing Officer (an administrator within the Office of Residential Life); however, the same procedures will be followed as for a Board Hearing.

Residential Life Student Conduct Board Procedures

The hearing will be tape recorded. The tape will serve as minutes of the hearing and may be used in the event of an appeal.
Introductions are made and the hearing procedures are explained by the Board Chairperson.
All witnesses are excused from the hearing room.
The reporting party provides an opening statement to present his/her information regarding the incident in question.
The accused student makes an opening statement to present his/her information regarding the incident in question.
Board members ask questions of both parties.
Participants have the opportunity to ask one another questions through the Board.
Witnesses in behalf of the reporting party are re-introduced and present their information regarding the incident in question.
Board members ask questions of the witnesses.
Other participants have the opportunity to ask questions of the witnesses.
Witnesses in behalf of the accused student are re-introduced and present their information regarding the incident in question.
Board members ask questions of the witnesses.
Other participants have the opportunity to ask questions of the witnesses.
All witnesses are excused from the hearing room.
The reporting party makes a closing statement to summarize relevant testimony and share with the Board what he/she feels would be an appropriate outcome of the hearing.
The accused student makes a closing statement to summarize relevant testimony and share with the Board what he/she feels would be an appropriate outcome of the hearing.
The fact finding portion of the hearing concludes and all participants are dismissed. The Board members consider the facts presented during the hearing and make a final decision.
Within ten class days after the conclusion of the hearing, the Judicial Affairs Coordinator will submit to the student, with a copy to the RD, a written report advising of the Board’s decision.
If the student is found to be in violation of one or more policies and/or regulations the RD will impose or recommend a sanction as provided for in the On-Campus Housing Student Conduct Procedures.

Appeals

If you are not satisfied with the Board’s decision regarding your alleged involvement in one or more policy violations, you may appeal that decision to the Associate Director of Residential Education, Office of Residential Life. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Judicial Affairs Coordinator, Office of Residential Life, 370 De Neve Drive, Los Angeles, California, 90095, within five business days of the decision letter. The Judicial Affairs Coordinator will forward the written appeal to the Associate Director. The written appeal must specify the reasons for the appeal and may be made on the following grounds only:

That the On-Campus Housing Student Conduct Procedures were violated, and that the violation resulted in substantial unfairness to the student; and/or
That the sanction is thought to be excessive; and/or
That relevant new evidence exists which was previously unavailable and would substantially affect the findings or the sanction.

Following a review the Associate Director may affirm the findings or sanction, remand for a full or partial re-hearing, modify the sanction, or dismiss the charges. The administrator will forward to the student a written notice of his/her decision regarding the appeal within ten business days after receipt of the written appeal.

Residential Life Student Conduct Board Guidelines

The accused student shall be given an opportunity to testify and to present evidence and witnesses and the right to hear and question all witnesses where practicable.
All matters and documents upon which a decision will be based shall be made available to the accused student.
All participants in the hearing need to conduct themselves in an orderly manner or they will be removed from the hearing.
Students will not be required to give self-incriminating information or to accuse or implicate other students.
The student has the right to have an advisor prior to and present at the hearing; however, the role of the advisor is to advise and not represent the student. Students are expected to speak in their own behalf.
The hearing information will be kept confidential according to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley Amendment).
The information provided in these guidelines is only a summary of the information contained in the On-Campus Housing Conduct Procedures.

Commonly Asked Questions Regarding the Residential Life Student Conduct Hearing

What do I need to bring to the the Board hearing?

valid UCLA I.D.
note taking materials
any information or evidence relevant to the hearing
witnesses in your behalf and an advisor if desired

If you plan to bring an advisor and/or witnesses, you must contact the Judicial Affairs Coordinator at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. It is your responsibility to notify witnesses in your behalf of the date, time, and location of the hearing. They will not be summoned by the Office of Residential Life.

How long will the hearing last?

A hearing will typically last approximately 60 minutes. The time will vary depending upon the number of witnesses involved and the complexity of the case being heard. The hearing will take as long as is needed to make a fair and impartial decision.

What should I wear to a hearing?

Hearing attire is casual, but your appearance should be clean and neat. Remember you are presenting yourself to the Board.

PLEASE NOTE: Prior to the scheduled hearing, students are encouraged to meet with the Judicial Affairs Coordinator to present any questions or concerns they may have about the process.