VCOM Institutional Policy and Procedure Manual

VCOM Policy and Procedure

Policy #S014

within the realm of a Professional and Ethical Standards Board (PESB). 1) The Investigative Panel shall meet with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs to verify an agreement that the allegation falls within the realm of the HCC and not referred to the Professional and Ethical Standards Board (PESB) according to VCOM policy. ii. After determining the allegations warrant action by the HCC, the investigative panel shall begin the investigation and conduct all interviews in a confidential manner. iii. The Chair of the Investigative Panel shall inform the student in question that a complaint has been filed and an investigation is in progress. The Chair shall also inform the student that the Investigative Panel process is confidential and that the members of the panel and the student accused are to keep all conversation and proceedings confidential. The Chair shall have the student sign an acknowledgement of his/her responsibility to remain confidential. iv. All persons interviewed by the panel shall also be informed that the student has only been accused of an infraction and may or may not be guilty and that the interview should in no way be considered as insinuating guilt. The Investigative Panel shall also inform all persons interviewed that the interview is confidential and shall have each person interviewed sign an agreement to remain confidential. v. Upon completion of the Investigation, the Chair shall convene the Executive Committee of the Honor Code Council and the Investigative Panel to determine if a full Honor Code Hearing (HCH) is warranted. A quorum of not less than three members of the Executive Committee and one member of the Investigative Panel shall be present for this meeting. The Executive Committee of the Honor Code Committee may deem any of the following: a. A full Honor Code Hearing is warranted; b. A full Honor Code Hearing is not warranted, but a warning is issued to the student by the HCC that outlines the behaviors and that the behaviors are being viewed as unprofessional or unethical by classmates and that continuing such behaviors shall result in a HCH; or c. The allegation is without evidence to warrant a full Honor Code Hearing. vi. The Campus Dean or the Provost may immediately elevate any severe suspected violation of the VCOM Honor Code to the Professional and Ethical Standards Board at any time. 4.4 Honor Code Hearing Upon recommendation by the Honor Code Council Executive Committee, a full Honor Code Council will be convened for an Honor Code Hearing. A. Quorum . The members present for the Honor Code Hearing must include the Chair or the Vice Chair and at least seven additional members of the Council. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall serve as the acting chair with all the

Code of Conduct/Professional and Ethical Behavior Policy

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