VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

present to obtain the opinion of the council. All voting in business meetings shall be verbal. If it is not possible to meet quorum for a business meeting physically, it is acceptable to achieve quorum on HCC business meetings electronically or through telecommunications; however, this only applies to HCC business meetings and not administrative panels. Unless stated otherwise, voting shall be by a simple majority of the quorum. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs (or his/her designee) will attend the business meetings serving as an advisor on College policy. Honor Code Investigation (HCI) The HCC Chair will initiate HCI proceedings upon receipt of a report of a suspected violation of the VCOM Honor Code in writing by a member of the faculty, staff or student body. Students, faculty, and staff must submit matters of concern within two (2) weeks of the date of discovery or suspicion and within two (2) calendar months of the date of violation with both requirements being met. A. Investigative Panel (IP). The Chair or the Vice Chair of the Honor Code Council shall serve as the Chair of the Three Person Investigative Panel. In addition to the Chair or Vice Chair, the investigative panel shall consist of one member of each of the OMS I and OMS II classes for an issue involving an OMS I or OMS II student. The investigative panel shall consist of one member of each of the OMS II and OMS III or OMS IV classes for an issue involving an OMS III or OMS IV student, in addition to the Chair or Vice Chair 1. The Investigative panel shall review the allegations to determine if an HCC is warranted according to: a. the allegation being made, and 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 is not referred to the Professional and Ethical Standards Board (PESB) according to VCOM policy. 2. After determining the allegations warrant action by the HCC, the investigative panel shall begin the investigation and conduct all interviews in a confidential manner. 3. 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. 4. 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 b. the policies of VCOM in addressing the allegation, (determining if the allegation is within the auspices of the HCC, administration, or falls within the realm of a Professional and Ethical Standards Board (PESB). i. as insinuating guilt. The Investigative Panel shall also inform all people interviewed that the interview is confidential and shall have each person interviewed sign an agreement to remain confidential. 5. 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 at 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 an HCH; or c. The allegation is without evidence to warrant a full Honor Code Hearing.

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