The Investigating Officer (IO) – The IO is called upon first to present the case, based on all evidence and testimony collected from the investigation. The board members will then ask any questions they have of the IO and the professor or others reporting the case. The student(s) may ask questions of the investigating officer and the professor or others reporting the case.
The Student – The student is offered the opportunity to speak about the incident, present any other information regarding the case, or to clarify anything that the IO and/or the professor has stated. The board members will then ask any questions they have for the student. The IO and/or the professor may, at the discretion of the hearing board chair, also ask questions. After questions, the student will be given a final opportunity to make a brief closing statement. The hearing board chair will not allow any questioning during or following the closing statement. After the student’s closing statement, the student, the IO, and the professor will be dismissed and the board members will remain to deliberate.
For cases that involve more than one student – In matters involving multiple students, if all students consent in writing, their cases may be heard in a single hearing. Should all students not consent to a joint hearing, their cases will be heard separately by the same hearing board. (Honor Council Policy and Procedures, VI.C.1.c). If students have consented to a joint hearing, the hearing board chair will establish the order for the student presentations, in consultation with the students. All students are present at the start of the hearing for the dean to begin the hearing and for the IO to present the case. There are no questions at this point. After this presentation, the students who are not first to present will leave the room. The IO will present any additional facts about the case that are unique to the student who is present. The student is then invited to speak about the incident, present any other information regarding the case, or to clarify anything that the IO and/or the professor has stated. There is an opportunity for questions to the IO, professor and student. The student can then make a closing statement. At that point, the first student will leave the room and the second student will join the board. The same procedure will be followed with the second student (IO presents facts specific to that student, the student is invited to speak followed by questions and a closing statement). The same procedure is followed for any additional students. Assuming the board does not have any other questions for any of the students, all students, the professor and the IO are dismissed. The hearing board members will remain to deliberate. The board’s findings regarding violation and recommended sanctions do not have to be the same for all students.
