Disciplinary Procedures and Appeals Process

All disciplinary procedures at Illinois State University are subject to operational procedures established by the Code of Student Conduct and by Community Rights & Responsibilities.

Residence Hall Cases

Residence hall professional staff are empowered to hear minor cases of alleged student misconduct for incidents that take place in and immediately around the residence halls. Residence hall professional staff will therefore conduct disciplinary conferences when Community Rights & Responsibilities has deemed a case appropriate for resolution by residence hall staff.

Any agreement reached between the residence hall professional staff member and the accused student is subject to review and approval by Community Rights & Responsibilities. If CR&R staff approves the finding and sanction, a formal letter will be sent to the student notifying them of the decision. If CR&R staff declines to approve the finding and/or sanction, the following may occur:

a. CR&R staff may determine that the finding and/or sanction require amending. If so, CR&R staff will notify the accused student of this decision, and provide the student with five school days to appeal the decision to the University Hearing Panel.
b. CR&R staff may determine that the case should not be reviewed at the residence hall level and may re-initiate the disciplinary process.

Residence hall professional staff may only be empowered to hear minor cases. Residence hall professional staff may not hear cases involving physical or sexual assault, hazing, academic dishonesty, acts of intolerance and/or harassment, drug violations, or repeated alcohol violations. Any cases that might result in Disciplinary Probation, Disciplinary Suspension, or Disciplinary Dismissal are to be immediately referred to CR&R for review. Residence hall staff will receive guidance from CR&R as to what constitutes a minor disciplinary matter.

Residence hall professional staff are empowered to impose a technical violation or a censure, but may not impose Disciplinary Probation, Disciplinary Suspension, or Disciplinary Dismissal. Residence hall professional staff shall also be empowered to utilize educational sanctions as provided for by CR&R.

If the accused student fails to schedule or attend the disciplinary conference, the residence hall professional staff shall forward the case to CR&R for review, along with an additional charge of failure to comply.

CR&R Disciplinary Conferences

Cases referred to Community Rights & Responsibilities shall result in a disciplinary conference with the accused student. In the disciplinary conference, the disciplinary officer shall review all available information with the student to determine whether or not a decision can be made regarding the student's responsibility without a formal hearing. The following procedures apply to disciplinary conferences:

1. The accused student shall be notified at least three school days prior to the disciplinary conference and shall be assigned a time to appear at a Disciplinary Conference.
2. If a determination of responsibility and a sanction can be agreed upon by the disciplinary officer and the accused student(s), a disciplinary agreement may be prepared and signed by both. A signed disciplinary agreement shall constitute an acceptance of the finding and sanction(s), as well as a waiver of the right to a hearing and any appeals process.
3. The disciplinary officer may withdraw any charge deemed to be without basis.
4. If the substantive facts and sanction(s) cannot be agreed upon, the matter shall be referred to the University Hearing Panel.
5. If the accused student fails to schedule or attend the disciplinary conference, the designated disciplinary officer may review the evidence in support of the charges and render a decision. The decision rendered by the disciplinary officer may be appealed within five school days of the decision.
6. If the disciplinary officer determines that the student's failure to appear at a scheduled disciplinary conference is for good cause, the disciplinary officer may reschedule the conference. The disciplinary officer shall determine the validity of any excuse.
7. Any student agreeing to a disciplinary suspension or disciplinary dismissal through a disciplinary conference retains the right to appeal the decision to the Student Code Enforcement and Review Board (SCERB) for a period of five school days from the conference.

University Hearing Panel

(from the Code of Student Conduct)

Cases referred to the University Hearing Panel (UHP) shall be operated under the following procedures:

1. Students accused of violating University regulations shall be notified in writing at least three school days prior to the hearing. This notification will include the cited regulations, as well as the names of those people being asked to attend the hearing as witnesses, except where such disclosure would place a person's physical welfare in jeopardy.
2. Hearings shall be closed to the public. At the request of the accused student(s), and with permission of all complaining parties, accused parties, and witnesses, the hearing may be open to the public. No one attending an open hearing by permission of the involved parties is allowed to participate in or disturb the proceedings at any time.
3. Admission of any person to the hearing shall be at the discretion of the disciplinary body and its disciplinary advisor.
4. In hearings involving more than one accused student, the disciplinary officer may at her/his discretion permit the hearings concerning each student to be conducted separately.
5. The accused student(s) and the aggrieved party may be assisted by an advisor during the hearing, at their own expense. All persons appearing before the Panel, however, are responsible for presenting their own information. Advisors are not permitted to speak to the Panel or to participate directly in any hearing. No form of representation is allowed except in cases where assistance is required to present information based on a documented disability, as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
6. Each hearing panel shall consist of three members of the University community, drawn from a pool of at least twelve students, and twenty faculty and staff (see Section XVI). A fourth panel member shall be appointed to each hearing as an alternate. No hearing shall proceed with fewer than three panel members except with the explicit written consent of all accused student(s) and any aggrieved party.
7. A student whose case is being referred to the UHP may request that the composition of the hearing panel be: all students, all faculty and staff, or a combination of students, faculty, and staff. Such requests will be honored as schedules permit but are not guaranteed. Exceptions to this process are as follows:
   1. All cases involving academic dishonesty will include at least one student and one faculty member as panel members.
   2. All cases involving aggrieved parties will also take into account the panel composition request of the aggrieved party.
      When panel composition requests are not met, this may not be utilized as a reason for the appeal of the decision.
8. The accused student(s) and aggrieved party may request that a specific member of the UHP be excluded from the hearing for cause. The final decision on such requests shall be made by the CR&R coordinator. No student, faculty or staff member may serve on the UHP in a case where that person has a personal involvement or special interest in the case, or personal knowledge of participants in the case that would impede the impartiality of the panel member.
9. A staff member from CR&R shall be assigned to serve as a disciplinary advisor to each hearing panel. The disciplinary advisor does not have a vote in the outcome of the proceedings. The accused student(s) and aggrieved party may request that a specific member of the UHP be excluded from the hearing for cause. The final decision on such requests shall be made by the CR&R coordinator. No CR&R staff member may serve as disciplinary advisor in a case where that person has a personal involvement or special interest in the case.
10. At the beginning of each hearing, an opening statement will outline the procedures to be utilized during the hearing. The accused student(s) shall then be asked to respond to each alleged violation of University regulations by stating one of the following:
    1. In Violation of the University regulation.
    2. Not In Violation of the University regulation.
    3. In violation of the University regulation with an explanation.
11. The complainant(s), accused student(s), and the disciplinary officer shall have the privilege of presenting witnesses, subject to the right of questioning by the Panel.
12. Both the accused student(s) and aggrieved party have the right to question all witnesses at the conclusion of such questioning by the Panel.
13. Pertinent records, exhibits, and/or written statements may be accepted for consideration by the Panel at its' discretion.
14. All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the Panel in consultation with the disciplinary advisor.
15. After the hearing, the Panel shall determine (by majority vote) whether the student has violated the specified University regulations. Accused students shall be found either In Violation or Not In Violation. Deliberations of the hearing are open only to the Panel and its judicial advisor.
16. The Panel's determination shall be made on the basis of whether or not there is a preponderance of the evidence to support the finding of a violation, indicating that it is more likely than not that the student committed the violation.
17. When a student is found In Violation of any University regulations, the Panel shall then be informed of the student's previous disciplinary history. This information may then be considered in the development of a sanction.
18. At hearings of the University Hearing Panel, there shall be a single, verbatim record, such as a taped recording, of all hearings. The records shall be the exclusive property of Community Rights & Responsibilities and Illinois State University. CR&R shall establish a written policy for an accused or aggrieved party to have access to this record only for the purpose of filing an appeal. Tapes are only maintained by CR&R one week after the appellate process and are then erased.
19. If a student accused of violating University regulations fails to attend a scheduled hearing, the hearing will be held in the student's absence, and the student will be assumed to have entered a claim of Not In Violation to each cited regulation, but will have forfeited the opportunity to present any information and/or witnesses on her/his behalf. No student shall be found to have violated the Code solely because the student failed to appear before the Panel. If the disciplinary officer responsible for the hearing determines that the student's failure to appear at a scheduled disciplinary hearing is for good cause, the disciplinary officer may reschedule the conference. The disciplinary officer shall determine the validity of any excuse.
20. The Panel shall, after their deliberations, produce a written statement indicating their findings, as well as a brief rationale for their decision. This information shall be mailed to the student in the form of a decision letter within five school days. The deadline for a student's appeal of the decision is five school days from the date noted on the letter of decision. 

View current members of the University Hearing Panel.

Student Organization Cases

Student organizations are collectively responsible for any actions committed by members that serve to reflect upon the organization as a whole or upon the University community. Disciplinary action against organizations is separate from disciplinary action taken against individuals, and the facts of an incident may necessitate action against both an organization and its individual members.

Dean of Students staff (Greek Affairs, SGA Advisement, and SOS) shall be empowered to hear minor cases of alleged student misconduct for incidents that take place within student organizations. Dean of Students staff will therefore conduct disciplinary conferences as outlined in Section X, Item A, with the following amendments:

1. Any agreement reached between the professional staff member and the accused student is subject to review and approval by Community Rights & Responsibilities. If CR&R staff approves the finding and sanction, a formal letter will be sent to the student notifying them of the decision. If CR&R staff declines to approve the finding and/or sanction, the following may occur:
   1. CR&R staff may determine that the finding and/or sanction require amending. If so, CR&R staff will notify the accused student of this decision, and provide the student with five school days to appeal the decision to the University Hearing Panel.
   2. CR&R staff may determine that the case should not be reviewed at the Office of Student Life and may re-initiate the disciplinary process.
2. Dean of Students staff shall only be empowered to hear minor cases, not reserved for referral to Community Rights and Responsibilities (CR&R). Cases involving physical or sexual assault, hazing, academic dishonesty, acts of intolerance and/or harassment, drug violations, or repeated alcohol violations are to be immediately referred to CR&R for review. Any cases that might result in Disciplinary Probation, Disciplinary Suspension, or Disciplinary Dismissal, including those listed above, are also to be immediately referred to CR&R for review. Dean of Students Staff will receive guidance from CR&R as to what constitutes a minor disciplinary matter.
3. Dean of Students Staff shall be empowered to impose a technical violation or a censure, but may not impose Disciplinary Probation, Disciplinary Suspension, or Disciplinary Dismissal. Dean of Students Staff shall also be empowered to utilize educational sanctions as provided for by CR&R.
4. If the accused organization fails to schedule or attend the disciplinary conference, the professional staff shall forward the case to CR&R for review, along with an additional charge of C2 (failure to comply).
5. All information related to individual student involvement in organizational disciplinary matters is subject to privacy guidelines as noted in Sections XIII and XIV. The final outcome of a disciplinary proceeding against an organization shall be provided by CR&R upon request of any party. The final outcome includes the finding of violations and the sanctions imposed upon the organization, if any, at the conclusion of all appropriate appeals processes.

Academic Integrity Cases

Faculty members are to report all instances of academic dishonesty to Community Rights & Responsibilities (CR&R). Faculty members retain authority to determine grade penalties, but shall follow the following procedures in resolving disciplinary complaints:

1. Faculty members who discover academic dishonesty shall arrange to meet with an accused student as soon as possible to discuss the allegation. Prior to this meeting the faculty member may consult with CR&R staff.
2. If the student acknowledges academic dishonesty and the faculty member is satisfied that the incident has been resolved:
   1. The faculty member will discuss the grade penalty to be applied and/or
      the reparation required of the student. Faculty members should adhere to the grade penalty policy, if any, noted in the course syllabus. Faculty members without such a policy in the course syllabus should develop grade penalties consistent with the nature of the offense.
   2. A written summary of the incident and the resolution will be forwarded by the faculty member to Community Rights & Responsibilities.
   3. A Community Rights & Responsibilities staff member shall conduct a disciplinary conference with the student to determine if an informal disciplinary resolution can be reached. This resolution must meet with the approval of the student, the referring faculty member, and CR&R staff.
   4. If an informal resolution cannot be reached through a disciplinary conference, the case will be referred to a formal hearing of the University Hearing Panel.
3. If the student denies the allegation of academic dishonesty or the faculty member believes that the severity of the infraction may warrant a suspension or dismissal from the institution.
   1. The faculty member will forward a written summary of the incident to Community Rights & Responsibilities. This summary must contain copies of all information to be utilized in the disciplinary process including the names of all parties involved. The student will have access to all information given to CR&R.
   2. A CR&R staff member shall conduct a disciplinary conference with the student to review the student's rights in the disciplinary process, the allegations against the student, and the hearing procedures.
   3. A formal disciplinary hearing will be scheduled to determine if a violation of University regulations has taken place and, if so, the appropriate sanction to apply. In the event of a hearing, the faculty member will be provided the same basic due process rights as an aggrieved party.
   4. No grade penalty shall be assigned by the instructor until the University Hearing Panel determines that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred. If the allegation cannot be resolved prior to the end of the current semester, a grade of "Incomplete" shall be assigned pending the outcome of the hearing.
   5. The faculty member will be notified of the outcome of the disciplinary case in order to assign grade penalties for violations.
4. Students receiving a grade penalty for alleged academic dishonesty violations without adherence to the above procedures may file a grievance with the Student Grievance Committee.

For Faculty wishing to report a suspected case of academic dishonesty, view the Faculty Disciplinary Guide (pdf) or access the academic integrity reporting packet (pdf).

Cases Involving Violation of the Law

(from the Code of Student Conduct)

A. If a student is charged only with an off-campus violation of federal, state or local laws, but not with any other violation of the Student Code, disciplinary action may be taken and sanctions imposed for grave misconduct that demonstrates flagrant disregard for the University community. In such cases, no sanction may be imposed unless the student has been found guilty in a court of law. Exceptions must be consistent with the grounds noted for interim disciplinary action (Section VII).

B. University disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with a violation of law that is also a violation of the Student Code, where both violations result from the same set of facts or circumstances. No regard will be given to any pending civil litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution. Proceedings under the Student Code may be carried out prior to, concurrent with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off-campus. Students may request a delay in campus disciplinary proceedings from the coordinator of Community Rights & Responsibilities, but must establish to the director's satisfaction that the University disciplinary process would be unfairly impacted without such a delay. A student's decision to refuse to participate in the disciplinary process does not constitute grounds for a delay.

C. When a student is charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law, the University will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of her or his status as a student. If the alleged offense is also the subject of review under the Student Code, the University may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of how such matters will be handled within the University community. The University will cooperate fully with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal laws on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators.

REMINDER: The student disciplinary process does not seek, nor is qualified, to determine whether or not violations of local, state, or federal law have taken place. Similarly, criminal and civil courts do not seek, nor are qualified, to determine whether or not violations of the Code of Student Conduct at Illinois State University have been committed. The aims of each of these processes is different, and Illinois State University makes it a practice to resolve all disciplinary complaints independent of whether or not criminal or civil action is also transpiring.

Student Due Process Rights

Q: What rights are provided to students in the disciplinary process?

Student rights in the student conduct process are different than those utilized in the legal system. The disciplinary process is educational in nature rather than punitive, and does not follow the rules of criminal courts. Student rights include:

1. A student has the right to be treated with dignity and compassion by the disciplinary body, and by all persons involved in the disciplinary process.
2. A student has the right to information pertaining to counseling assistance available to her/him.
3. A student has the right to a hearing by an unbiased disciplinary body. A student has the right to object for cause to a disciplinary officer or member of a disciplinary body. The validity of the objection will be determined by the disciplinary officer or disciplinary body at the time of the hearing.
4. A student has the right to have an advisor present at all disciplinary meetings or hearings. The advisor's role is limited to advising the student and the advisor may not actively directly participate in any proceedings. Advisors are limited to members of the Illinois State University community (students, faculty, and staff).

For the purpose of the Student Code, people are eligible to serve as advisors if,

1. the faculty or staff member is employed by the University.
2. the student must be currently enrolled for at least one semester hour.

In cases where concurrent criminal charges exist arising from the same incident, a student may elect to have an attorney serve as an advisor. Attorneys serve under the same restrictions as other advisors.

It is the responsibility of the student to insure the attendance of the advisor at any proceedings. Meetings and hearings will not be rescheduled to accommodate advisors.

E. A student has the right to written notice of the charges placed against her or him that also indicates the time and place of any disciplinary conference or hearing. Proper written notification shall be defined as delivery of mail to a student's University address, as reported by the student to the University Registrar. Students shall be held responsible for the contents of mail for which they have refused receipt. Mail procedures are established in the by laws of the disciplinary process (see Section XXI of the Code).

Students charged with violating the Student Code are required to meet with a professional staff person to facilitate the resolution of the case (see Disciplinary Conference, Section X). Failure to meet with a staff person will result in an additional charge of regulation C2 (failure to comply).

F. A student has the right to receive a written copy of the report(s) stating the circumstances and allegations involved. This information shall generally be provided to the student at the time of the mandatory disciplinary conference.

G. A student has the right not to present information against herself/himself.

H. A student has the right to hear and respond to all information presented against her/him. This includes the right to question all parties through the disciplinary body.

I. A student has the right to present information and/or witnesses on her/his behalf. The number of witnesses who may be called may be determined by the disciplinary body.

J. A student has the right to written notification of the results of the hearing no later than ten school days after the hearing.

K. A student has the right to appeal the outcome of a hearing, except in cases of decisions reached in disciplinary conferences through the consent of all parties. A student has the right to be informed of her/his right to appeal and the process for doing so.

Aggrieved Party Rights

Q: Who is considered an aggrieved party?

When any Illinois State University student has been subjected to acts which allegedly violate his or her potential welfare or individual dignity, he/she may be granted "aggrieved parties" status in the student conduct process. Specific examples include but are not limited to:

• physical misconduct
• sexual misconduct
• hazing
• harassment
• theft

CR&R staff will review each case for potential victims and notify students when they have been granted this status. The Director of CR&R reserves the right to make a final determination of victim's status.

Q: How do I initiate a complaint?

Aggrieved parties of offenses are encouraged to contact the Illinois State University Police (or other appropriate police agency based on where the incident took place) to file an initial report. All on campus cases involving allegations of University violations will be automatically forwarded to CR&R. When dealing with other police agencies, simply ask the police to forward a copy of the report to CR&R.

Q: What options do I have as a victim?

Aggrieved parties have several options for resolving complaints. First, a student may ask that a formal complaint be filed by CR&R. This normally occurs once the aggrieved party has reported the offense to the police. Because CR&R does not investigate cases against individuals or take the side of one party over the other, cases requiring investigation must be forwarded to the police. Once CR&R is provided with a completed report, the aggrieved party will be asked to meet with CR&R staff to review the complaint.

Second, aggrieved parties may seek criminal charges through the police and state's attorney. This process is initiated by filing a report with the appropriate police agency. A student may elect to utilize both the student conduct process and the criminal process to resolve a complaint. CR&R will typically move forward with a case independent of any civil or criminal proceedings. A student may also elect to resolve a case through alternative means of dispute resolution, such as facilitation or mediation. CR&R will provide additional information on these services as necessary.

Your Rights As An Aggrieved Party

1. The aggrieved party has the right to be treated with dignity and compassion by the disciplinary body, and by all persons involved in the disciplinary process.
2. The aggrieved party has the right to information pertaining to the University disciplinary process and appropriate referrals for information on the criminal process.
3. The aggrieved party has the right to information pertaining to counseling assistance available to her/him.
4. The aggrieved party has the right to assistance throughout the disciplinary process, including the right to have an advisor or support person present at all disciplinary meetings and proceedings. Such advisors must meet the criteria established for advisors in Section VIII of the Code.
5. The aggrieved party has the right to due process protections provided to accused students, including the right to written notification of a hearing, the right to hear all information presented to the disciplinary body, the right to present information and witnesses, the right to verbal disclosure of the results of a hearing, and the right to appeal the sanctions imposed as a result of a hearing. Aggrieved parties are reminded that the outcome of any student disciplinary matter is subject to confidentiality (see Sections XIII and XIV of the Code).
6. The aggrieved party has the right to provide information to a disciplinary body from a separate location as long as it does not infringe upon the right of the accused student to a fair hearing.
7. The aggrieved party has the right to have any unrelated past behavior excluded from the disciplinary process. The disciplinary body shall determine what constitutes unrelated behavior.
8. The aggrieved party has the right to submit a written impact statement to the disciplinary body that will be considered only in sanctioning, should there be a finding of violation against an accused student.
9. The aggrieved party has the right to privacy throughout the disciplinary process with respect to campus and other media, and from all other uninvolved parties.
10. The aggrieved party has the right to expect to be free from intimidation and harassment throughout the disciplinary process.
11. The aggrieved party has the right, upon request, to have reasonable steps taken by Community Rights and Responsibilities or other University agencies to prevent any unnecessary or unwanted contact with the accused student(s).

Investigations and Reports

Allegations Against Individual Students

Anyone wishing to bring a complaint against one or more students at Illinois State University (for violations of the Code of Conduct) is responsible for insuring that all relevant information is provided to Community Rights and Responsibilities (CR&R). CR&R serves as a neutral facilitator of case resolution, and is not responsible for the conduct of investigations of improper activity by students. CR&R serves as neither a "prosecutor" or "defender" of any case.

When the violation of the Code also involves a violation of criminal law, even when criminal prosecution is not sought, then the case must be first referred to the appropriate police agency. For all on campus matters, contact the Illinois State University Police Department (309-438-8631). Once your report is filed and reviewed by the police, a copy of the completed report will be sent to CR&R for review. If dealing with an off campus police agency, please ask the police to share the report with CR&R.

Staff members referring non-criminal matters, or faculty members referring acts of academic dishonesty are responsible for compiling all information and forwarding it to CR&R for review. This should include any physical evidence (papers, letters, etc.) as well as a chronology of the entire incident. referring parties should also obtain witness statements, as well as provide a comprehensive list of all people involved in the incident, to the best of his or her ability. For additional assistance, please contact us at (309) 438-8621. 

Allegations Against Student Organizations

Anyone wishing to bring a complaint against one or more registered student organizations at Illinois State University (for violations of the Code of Conduct) is responsible for insuring that all relevant information is provided to Community Rights and Responsibilities (CR&R). CR&R will then review each complaint to see if it merits further investigation.

When the violation of the Code also involves a violation of criminal law, even when criminal prosecution is not sought, then the case must be first referred to the appropriate police agency. For all on campus matters, contact the Illinois State University Police Department (309-438-8631). Once your report is filed and reviewed by the police, a copy of the completed report will be sent to CR&R for review. If dealing with an off campus police agency, please ask the police to share the report with CR&R.

Once CR&R has determined that a case merits further investigation, a CR&R staff member will be assigned to serve as the primary investigator. This person will interview all appropriate people and information to determine if violations of the Code of Student Conduct are to be pursued. If brought to the University Hearing Panel, the investigator will serve as the complainant and maintain the right to present both information and witnesses in support of the complaint.

It is important to note that all University staff are expected to cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by CR&R. Faculty and staff should not assure students that discussions will be kept confidential if those discussions reveal violations of University regulations. The faculty or staff member is expected to immediately report this information to CR&R.

For additional assistance, please contact us at (309) 438-8621.

Access the online Incident Report Form. (pdf).

Mailing Procedures

Students are expected to maintain up to date current and permanent addresses with Illinois State University at all times. Changes of address can be made by notifying University Registrar or by making the change yourself on the SIAS system. Students failing to maintain up to date addresses are still responsible for all materials mailed to the prior addresses by CR&R. No disciplinary action will be revoked for a student's failure to properly maintain a current address, and deadlines issued by CR&R remain in effect.

CR&R is responsible for making a reasonable effort to properly deliver materials to a student's address. If a local address is unavailable, CR&R will send notification to the permanent address. When CR&R sends mail related to student disciplinary proceedings, the following attempts are made to insure delivery:

* Mail sent to off campus addresses is sent via U.S. Post Office "Proof of Mailing," indicating the Post Office certifies that the material was delivered to the listed address.

* Mail sent to on campus addresses is sent via a special certification process, and is not a part of the normal residence hall mail system. Staff members sign the material as soon as it is placed in the student's mailbox and a receipt is sent back to CR&R, where it is maintained it in a special file.

CR&R is NOT responsible for the following:

• Mail that is delayed or not received because of delivery difficulties created by housemates or roommates.
• Mail that is delayed or not received by the student because the student has not properly updated his or her address with the University Registrar.
• Mail that is not picked up. It is the reasonable expectation of the University that students will check their own mailboxes on a regular, if not daily, basis.

When a mailing problem can be definitively tracked to a delivery agent, CR&R will make reasonable attempts to accommodate students.

Scheduled Meetings and Hearings

Students required to attend Disciplinary Conferences with CR&R will have pre-scheduled dates and times mailed to them with their initial notification letter. This is a required meeting. In scheduling such meetings, CR&R will make a reasonable attempt to accommodate class schedule, but reminds students that disciplinary matters are a priority that must be attended to independent of any work or any other individual scheduling considerations.

Students failing to attend this mandatory meeting with staff by this date shall be cited for failing to comply with the disciplinary process and be subject to potential immediate administrative action, subject to appeal as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.

CR&R will assume no responsibility for messages left by the student inquiring about the meeting; any concerns about the meeting may be addressed during the Disciplinary Conference. CR&R recommends that students contact our office immediately upon receiving a notification letter, in order to avoid scheduling conflicts for CR&R staff.

Students who are referred to a hearing of the University Hearing Panel, though not formally required to be present, are expected to make all efforts to attend these proceedings. Only the Coordinator of CR&R may grant exceptions and reschedule a hearing based on exceptional circumstances that are documented by the student in advance of the hearing date. CR&R will not consider the academic, work, athletic, or social schedule of a charged student when scheduling hearings. If needed and requested by the student, CR&R will provide written verification that a student was summoned to the University Hearing Panel. This is no way relieves the student of his or her responsibilities in any other setting.

Please be advised that students facing criminal charges in additional to student conduct review for the same incident are still required to meet all obligations within the student conduct process, despite any advice to the contrary given by private counsel. Students facing criminal charges may have an advisor of their choosing present at any meetings or hearings (see Code), provided that the advisor does not participate in the process in any way.

Student Advisor

The Student Advisor is a student member of the University Hearing Panel who has agreed to take a temporary leave from absence from the panel in order to provide individual assistance to students involved in the disciplinary process.

The Student Advisor is not an advocate for the student, and does not present a case on behalf of the student or prepare the student's defense. Instead, the role of the Advisor is to answer student questions about being involved in the disciplinary process and answer from a student perspective what the purpose of the disciplinary process is and how the student can best present him or herself to a hearing panel or administrator.

This service is provided free of charge by CR&R as a courtesy and educational tool. Students must meet with the Student Advisor on their own time, and administrative meetings and/or hearings will not be postponed or cancelled due to an inability to meet with the Advisor.

The Student Advisor for Fall 2006 has not be chosen yet. To meet with a student regarding your hearing, please call (309) 438-8621 and a member of the University Hearing panel not serving on the panel for your case will be assigned to meet with you to answer any questions.

Interim Sanctions

(from the Code of Student Conduct)

1. In certain circumstances, the Vice President of Student Affairs or her/his designee may impose a Disciplinary Suspension or other restrictions prior to the conduct of University disciplinary proceedings. Those circumstances shall be directly related to the institutional concerns outlined below in Section VII, Item C.
2. In certain circumstances, the Vice President of Student Affairs or her/his designee may impose a residence hall suspension, termination of housing contract, mandated room reassignment or other restrictions prior to the conduct of University disciplinary proceedings. Those circumstances shall be directly related to the institutional concerns outlined below in Section VII, Item C.
3. In all cases, interim sanctions will be imposed only:
   1. to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the community or preservation of University property; or
   2. to ensure a student's own physical or emotional safety and well-being; or
   3. if the student poses a threat of disruption of or interference with the normal operations of the University.
4. During an Interim Suspension, students shall be denied access to the residence halls and/or to the campus (including classes) and/or all University activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the Vice President of Student Affairs or her/his designee may determine to be appropriate.
5. Whenever an interim sanction is imposed, Community Rights & Responsibilities shall convene a disciplinary proceeding at the earliest possible time, pending the normal due process requirements. The interim sanction may remain in effect until a final decision has been reached, including any appropriate appeals process, at the discretion of the Vice President of Student Affairs or her/his designee.

Disciplinary Fines

In some instances, educational sanctions are supplemented by disciplinary fines. The intent of disciplinary fines is to serve as an additional deterrent to further misconduct.

Fine monies are collected at the Bone Student Center Business Office and maintained by Community Rights and Responsibilities. These funds are allocated in accordance with guidelines established by the Vice President of Student Affairs. 

View a disciplinary Fine Deposit Form (pdf).

Registration and Other Blocks

When a student has failed to comply with the terms of a disciplinary sanction, CR&R may determine to place a hold on the student's ability to register for future classes. In such instances, the hold will be maintained until the student has made progress on the sanction that is deemed satisfactory by the Coordinator of CR&R. If the hold is released and the student fails to demonstrate good faith in completing the sanction, the student's future classes may be subject to cancellation.

This action is in addition to further disciplinary action that shall be initiated by CR&R for Policy C10, Abuse of the Disciplinary System.

Other holds/blocks, including the blocking of commencement abilities or the ability to secure transcripts, may be initiated by CR&R for students not considered in good disciplinary standing

Policy on Hearing Transcripts and Tape Recordings

At hearings of the University Hearing Panel, there shall be a single, verbatim record, such as a taped recording, of all hearings. The records shall be the exclusive property of Community Rights & Responsibilities and Illinois State University. CR&R shall establish a written policy (below) for an accused or aggrieved party to have access to this record only for the purpose of filing an appeal. Tapes are only maintained by CR&R one week after the appellate process and are then erased.

No meetings or hearings involving CR&R may be taped by any participants. Doing so covertly is a violation of both criminal law and University policy.

Students needing access to a tape of a disciplinary hearing for the purpose of filing an appeal must contact CR&R during regular business hours to schedule an appointment to meet with a CR&R staff member. The CR&R staff member will remain present during the review of the tape, and the tape may not be re-recorded. Appealing parties must be able to visit the Illinois State University campus in order to review a tape.

Issuance of Citations for University Violations

The Illinois State University Police Department has been empowered by the Division of Student Affairs to issue citations noting alleged violations of University regulations committed by Illinois State University students. Citations are generally issued in cases where the police determine that the behavior does not rise to the level of an arrest or need for a formal police report. At the time of issuance, the police officer notes a date and time for the student to appear at CR&R (120 Student Services Building). This meeting is a mandatory one, and serves as the student's Disciplinary Conference.