What does the University Judicial System do?
The University Judicial System resolves alleged violations of SUNY Oswego's Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct ("Code of Student Conduct") by a student or a student organization. The jurisdiction of the system extends to alleged misconduct in the following locations:

• on University owned property;
• at any University sponsored event, including off campus events sponsored by registered student organizations and student groups or by non-registered student groups who advertise on campus;
• at University sponsored programs off campus; and
• at any location when the misconduct by a student toward any member of the University community may adversely affect the University's educational purposes.

How is the University Judicial System different from other civil and criminal court proceedings?
The University Judicial System is completely independent of either civil or criminal proceedings but may act simultaneously with either civil or criminal proceedings. The University Judicial System is administrative and intended to be educational in nature rather than punitive.

What kind of sanctions may be imposed?
SUNY Oswego views its judicial system as a means of protecting the individual rights and property of the members of its community. The standard of proof required to reach a conclusion is known as "a preponderance of evidence" and indicates that it is "more likely than not" that an incident did, or did not, occur. The University has designed the system to educate all parties to uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior. Sanctions are intended to secure these goals, and may range from individually tailored remedial and educational sanctions up to, and including, temporary or permanent separation from the University.

How do I file a complaint against an SUNY Oswego student?
Complaints may be filed by any student, faculty or staff of the University against any student(s) or recognized student organization by filling out a Statement of Charges, available in the Office of Judicial Affairs, 503 Culkin Hall. Any formal documentation of the allegations should be attached to the form.

What happens after I file a complaint, or if a complaint is filed against me?
The Office of Judicial Affairs will send a letter to the accused student(s) or student organization and indicate that a complaint has been filed. This letter requests a meeting with the accused student(s) or the president of the student organization to discuss the judicial process and the allegations. In some less serious or complex cases, this meeting (known as a disciplinary conference) will be conducted with the Assistant Dean of Students who will work with the parties to reach an informal resolution of the judicial complaint.

What will my role be if I choose to file a complaint or I am accused of violating the Code of Student Conduct by someone else?
If you choose to file a complaint or are accused of violating the Code of Student Conduct, it will be your responsibility to appear before a hearing body and personally present any testimony, evidence, or witnesses that you wish to be considered by the hearing body in reaching its decision.

What types of judicial hearing bodies are available to process my complaint or the complaint filed against me?
Depending on the nature of the incident, the severity of the conduct, and prior incidents of misconduct, one of the following judicial hearing bodies will process the complaint.

• University Level Judicial Hearing Bodies
  (which may impose suspension or expulsion as an appropriate sanction):
• Student Conduct Committee (normally, 3 students, 1 faculty, and 1 administrator)
• Vice President for Student Affairs or designee (if accused student admits responsibility and/or waives rights to a hearing or violates a condition of Disciplinary Probation)
• Departmental Level Judicial Hearing Bodies
  (which may not impose suspension or expulsion):
• Residence Life Peer Judicial Board (5 full-time, resident students)
• Hearing officers designated by the Judicial Code Administrator
• Disciplinary Conference
  (which may not impose suspension or expulsion):
• Administrative meeting with the Assistant Dean of Students for Judicial Affairs to resolve the judicial charges without a formal hearing

In all of the hearings, the Judicial Code Administrator will assure that all proceedings are scheduled and processed in a fair and timely manner.

When will I receive the decision from my hearing and can I appeal the decision if I am found responsible for the violation?
A written decision of the hearing will be provided to the accused student within 4 class days after the close of the hearing. A student may appeal the decision rendered by a hearing body based on one or more of the following reasons:

• Inappropriate sanction;
• Insufficient evidence to find responsibility;
• University policy or procedure was not followed; and
• New evidence which was not available for the hearing.

Appeals must be made in writing and submitted within 4 class days from the receipt of the decision. The method of appeal depends upon the judicial hearing body which resolved the case.

To appeal a University level hearing decision:

• President Deborah F. Stanley
  Office of the President
  706 Culkin Hall
• To appeal a Departmental level hearing decision:
  Chairperson
  Administrative Appeals Board
  Office of Judicial Affairs
  503 Culkin Hall

All appeals are final within the campus judicial system.

Is any help available to me?
Each party is allowed to have an advisor of his or her choice who can assist the individual throughout the judicial process, but the primary responsibility rests with the complainant and with the accused student. A list of Judicial Advisors (available in the Office of Judicial Affairs), who have received training in the University Judicial System, have indicated their availability to assist both complainants and accused students throughout the judicial process. Counseling and other personal support resources are available if the need arises.

Will my parents be contacted by the University if I file a complaint or a complaint is filed against me?
University judicial proceedings are confidential in nature and subject to strict confidentiality provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. Students have the right to inspect and review their disciplinary file, and to challenge the contents of the file through a formal hearing. The Office of Judicial Affairs will not release information contained in the disciplinary file to third parties without the student's written consent. Nonetheless, the University reserves the right to contact parents of dependent students as defined by the Internal Revenue Code.

The University publishes statistics and other reports related to judicial matters each semester without disclosure of names or other personal identifiers.