Columbia University Housing

The purpose of the Dean’s Discipline Process is two-fold. First, it is used to determine an accused student’s responsibility for an alleged violation(s) of CC/SEAS or University Policy(ies). In addition, it is an opportunity for the student to engage in a meaningful conversation regarding their role as a member of the Columbia community. The Dean’s Discipline Process is not an adversarial process, nor is it a legalistic one, and therefore the technical rules of evidence applicable to civil and criminal court cases do not apply.

Process

When a complaint is received, the Office of Judicial Affairs determines whether Dean’s Discipline is an appropriate response or if the complaint should be referred elsewhere. If Dean’s Discipline is to occur, a student is informed in writing of the complaint made against him/her and of the next step in the process. At the hearing at least two members of the staff of the Dean of Student Affairs present the accused student with the information which supports the allegation that he/she has violated CC/SEAS or University Policy(ies). The student is then asked to respond and will be given an opportunity to present information on his or her behalf.

After a complaint is received a student may be removed from housing and/or placed on interim suspension by Student Affairs staff if it is determined that the student’s behavior makes his or her presence on campus a danger to the normal operations of the institution, or to the safety of himself or herself or others, or to the property of the University or others.

 

At the conclusion of the hearing, if possible, the hearing administrators will make a determination regarding whether the accused student is responsible for the violation based on all of the information available to them. The standard of proof that the hearing administers will use to make this determination is the preponderance of the evidence standard. This standard allows for a finding of responsibility if the information provided in the hearing shows that it is more likely than not that a violation of Columbia policy(ies) occurred. If the student is found responsible, the degree of seriousness of the offense and the student's previous disciplinary record, if any, will determine the severity of the sanction that will be issued. The student will be notified of the outcome of the hearing in writing.

 

A student found responsible after a hearing has the right to request an appeal of the decision and the resulting sanctions. There are three grounds upon which an appeal of the decision may be made. A student found responsible for the violation of Columbia policy(ies) may request a review of the decision if; (1) the student has new information, unavailable at the time of the hearing; (2) the student has concerns with the process that may change or affect the outcome of the decision; or (3) the student feels that the sanction issued is too severe. The request for review must be made in writing to the individual indicated in the decision letter and must be received within ten calendar days (or as indicated in the hearing outcome letter) after the student receives notice of the hearing outcome. Students are given the opportunity to make one request for the review of the decision against them. No higher level of appeal is available after this first request has been processed.