Procedures for Non-Academic Tenure

Allegations related to sexual misconduct or interpersonal violence will be governed by the policies and procedures seen in the Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Violence Policy. Allegations related to any other form of discrimination and/or harassment will be governed by the policies and procedures seen in the Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy. All other allegations of a student’s alleged inappropriate behavior are governed by the procedures set forth in this section of the handbook.

Allegations of a student’s alleged inappropriate behavior are to be brought to the Program Director. The Program Director will investigate allegations further and consult with the appropriate faculty and student representatives in order to determine whether or not the matter is to be brought to the attention of a Student Tenure Committee. The Program Director may consult with outside experts and professionals. If it is determined that the matter should be brought before a Student Tenure Committee, then the student will be notified in writing of the charges that have been made and the findings that pertain to those allegations and will be given a copy of that section of this handbook that prescribes the procedures to be followed by the Student Tenure Committee.
The composition of the Student Tenure Committee is to be determined by the Program Director but must include at least two faculty members and one student from the appropriate academic program. The Committee shall be chaired by the Program Director, or the Program Director may designate a chair from among the Committee members.
At least fifteen working days prior to the meeting of the Student Tenure Committee, the Program Director will give the student written notice of the time and place of the meeting, and written notification that the student may be present throughout the meeting until such time as the Student Tenure Committee enters into executive session. The fifteen working days notification period may be shortened with the agreement of the student and program director.
At the meeting of the Student Tenure Committee, the Program Director will present information pertaining to the charge(s) of inappropriate behavior. The student may present pertinent information to the Committee or may ask others to present information on their behalf. When all of the information has been presented, the Program Director, the members of the Committee and the student may raise any questions they may have. When all questions have been raised, the members of the Student Tenure Committee will enter into executive session.
The Student Tenure Committee will deliberate in executive session and will determine its decision by secret ballot and by 2/3-majority vote. The Committee may consider the following options (or other options that the Committee may deem appropriate):
1. Dismissal of the charge(s.)
2. Suspension: The Committee will stipulate an appropriate course of action for the student. The student may not continue in their program until they demonstrate to the Committee that they have met all of the Committee’s stipulations.
3. Dismissal of the student from the program.
Within five working days, the chair of the Committee will communicate the decision of the Student Tenure Committee in writing to the student and the Dean.
Within ten working days, the student may appeal the decision of the Student Tenure Committee to the to the Dean; the Dean’s decision to the Provost; and finally, the Provost’s decision to the President.
Copies of the communication with the student, and a confidential record of the meeting(s) of the Student Tenure Committee (other than the deliberations of the executive session, for which no written record will be made) shall be kept in the Dean’s office. The student may request copies of the confidential records; such request must be in writing to the Dean.