A student organization hearing is a hearing conducted by one or more hearing officers or, in serious cases, the University Conduct Board. A case is considered serious when it is possible that the student organization could be suspended or terminated.
The hearing officer(s)/board chair will review all of the evidence and interview the appropriate members of the organization, and, if necessary, appropriate witnesses. The hearing officers will deliberate in private and make a decision about the organization's responsibility for the alleged misconduct and issue appropriate sanctions.
An organizational hearing differs from an administrative hearing/University Conduct Board hearing in that (1) the organization's advisor is invited to attend the hearing and participate in the proceedings; (2) the organization's president and executive officers usually will officially represent the organization at the hearing, although additional officers and/or members of the organization may be invited to the hearing; (3) the organization will be asked to submit a written statement about the incident and its involvement that will be used during the hearing; and (4) the hearing officer(s) will determine sanctioning organizationally or individually as appropriate. The disciplinary actions that can be taken by hearing officer(s) as a result of a student organization hearing are the same sanctions outlined above.
Registered Student Organization (RSO) Sanctions
Registered Student organization disciplinary sanctions may include but are not limited to the following:
- All sanctions also listed as individual sanctions.
- Written or verbal notification to national organization representatives, officers, or advisors.
- Organizational Probation
Probationary status for a specified period of time, typically not less than one semester, during which time the organization may be required to fulfill specific conditions prior to reinstatement to good standing. - Social Probation
Probationary status for not less than one month, during which time the organization is restricted from participating in any combined social function with individuals or other student organizations outside of its own membership. - Organizational Suspension
For a specified period of time, typically not less than one semester, organizational suspension means the group has no authority for operating on campus or at off-campus sponsored University events. Suspension involves the loss of all rights and privileges of student organizations, including the use of University facilities and financial resources, recruiting members, and promoting the organization. Probationary status may be assigned for one year following the completion of the suspension period. - Termination of the Registered Student Organization
Termination of a student organization is the most serious University disciplinary action for a student organization. Termination is the total and permanent separation of the group from the University. This includes total prohibition for the organization and its members or supporters to conduct any activity on the campuses of the University or at off-campus University-associated events that can in any way promote the goals, purposes, identity, programs or activities of the organization. Termination involves the loss of all rights and privileges of student organizations, including the use of University facilities and financial resources, recruiting members and promoting the organization. Funds raised by an RSO, prior to its termination, will be absorbed into a general programming fund for Student Life.
All decisions about and actions imposed on student organizations or groups will be kept on file by Student Life and in student organization files for seven years. Prior conduct actions will be reviewed if there are subsequent violations by the student organization. Such actions may be taken into account when determining an appropriate disciplinary action.
