VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

2. To be treated as if no violation has occurred until determined otherwise. 3. To speak on his/her own behalf and to refrain from serving as a witness against himself/herself. 4. To be advised by any member of the College the accused chooses who agrees to advise the student, to seek counsel from his/her advisor, and to expect confidentiality. As the HCC proceedings and the appeals process are academic proceedings and not legal proceedings, legal counsel is not allowed in these sessions. If a student believes a legal proceeding is warranted, this must be done through an outside court system. 5. To receive written notice of initiation of investigation proceedings. 6. To hear all the evidence to be presented to the Honor Code Council, to be present for the presentation of the evidence, and to have the decision of the HCC be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing and not hearsay. 7. To present questions to the reporter to be asked of any witnesses at the time of the hearing. 1. To cooperate with the HCC. 2. To remain confidential and refrain from approaching any involved party or witness about the suspected violation or such action shall be considered as suspicion of interference based upon guilt. 3. To be present at the hearing 4. To refrain from retaliation or speaking to any witness regarding testimony before or after the hearing. Rights and Obligations of the Reporter Any member of the faculty, staff or student body who submits an accusation to the HCC shall be granted the following rights and agrees to be bound by the following obligations. A. Rights of the Reporter : 1. To remain anonymous until or unless an Honor Code Hearing is convened and called as a witness. 2. To decline to speak about the suspected violation outside the HCH. 3. To be kept informed of the HCH progress on the suspected violation. 4. To have the issue resolved in a timely fashion. 5. To be advised by any administrative member of the College who agrees to advise the student. 6. To receive no retaliation from any involved party at any time. B. Obligations of the Reporter : 1. To keep the matter confidential and discuss it only with appropriate HCC personnel. 2. To cooperate with HCC. 3. To be present at the hearing, if deemed necessary by the HCC, and to face the accused at the panel. 4. To treat the accused as if no violation has occurred until determined otherwise. 5. To refrain from retaliation against any involved party at any time. Rights and Obligations of an Advisor Any member of the faculty, administration, or student body who agrees to advise the student, with the exception that HCC members who may not serve as advisors, shall be granted the following rights, and agrees to be bound by the following obligations: 8. To receive written notice of the recommendations of the HCC. 9. To receive no retaliation from any involved party at any time. B. Obligations of the Accused:

A. Rights of an Advisor :

1. To decline to speak about the suspected violation outside the HCC. 2. To decline advice or terminate advising at any time. 3. To receive no retaliation from any involved party at any time.

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