The Chair of the Academic Concerns Committee (ACC) will promptly notify the Respondent in writing (within 4 business days after the referral is received) of the reason for the referral, the time and place of the hearing, the names of the members who will hear the complaint, and to notify the respondent of rights and responsibilities regarding the Hearing, as provided in this Policy. The Respondent must present their objection to a member’s participation in writing to the Associate Dean for Educational Programs (ADEP) no later than seven business days after being informed of the names of the Committee members.
The hearing must be scheduled within 21 business days from the date that the ADEP referred the matter to the Academic Concerns Committee.
No later than seven business days before the Hearing, the Respondent must submit to the Chair of the Academic Concerns Committee: (a) any written response to be considered by the Academic Concerns Committee; (b) the names of any witnesses; (c) copies of any documents to be presented; (d) the name of any advisor and whether that advisor is an attorney, and (e) whether the Respondent objects to any member of the Academic Concerns Committee participating in the hearing.
If the Respondent objects to any members' participation in the hearing, the ADEP or delegate will decide whether to remove a member from the hearing or the ACC committee member who is the recipient of the objection may also request permission to be recused. The decision of the ADEP regarding the composition of the panel is final and may not be appealed.
No later than five business days before the Hearing, the Chair of the Academic Concerns Committee must provide the Respondent and the ADEP copies of all documents submitted to the Academic Concerns Committee for consideration, including the initial written charge, the names of all witnesses, the names of any advisors and whether the advisors are attorneys.
The Respondent will have an opportunity to appear before the Academic Concerns Committee and present their case. The Respondent may review all documents considered by the Academic Concerns Committee, question all adverse witnesses, offer documentation, and present witnesses.
The hearing will be closed to the public and will be recorded by electronic means by the ACC Committee. All recordings of the hearing will be controlled by the School of Social Work. No court reporters, stenographers, videographers or similar professionals are permitted without the prior consent of the School of Social Work. The Respondent may request a copy of the recording.
The Chair of the Academic Concerns Committee will preside over the hearing. The Committee is not bound by legal rules of evidence and may limit testimony based on redundancy or lack of relevancy.
The Committee may elect to invite University Counsel to attend the hearing. University Counsel may advise the Committee but may not otherwise participate in the hearing.
10.If the student fails or declines to appear at the hearing, the Committee may proceed to hear the case and make findings and recommendations without the student's participation.
The initial complainant may be asked to attend the hearing as a witness.
The Committee will deliberate in private, and such deliberations will not be recorded. The vote of the majority of the members of the Committee will determine whether the respondent is found responsible or not responsible for the matter addressed by the Committee and will determine the appropriate sanctions. A finding that the respondent is will be made at the discretion of the Committee and based on the totality of the evidence presented.
The Committee will prepare a final written report containing its factual findings, determination as to the respondent's responsibility in the matter, and sanctions, if warranted. The Committee must submit its report to the Respondent and the ADEP or designee within five business days of the hearing.
Within 1 business day of receipt, the ADEP or designee relays the outcome of the hearing to the referring party/parties and other person’s involved in the ACC sanctions/recommendations including but not limited to the Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management, MSW Program Director, Field Director, and Academic Advisor.