Investigation
The hearing officer is responsible to investigate alleged violation(s) to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of responsibility for the alleged misconduct. The hearing officer will:
- Commence a thorough, reliable and impartial investigation, and may develop a strategic investigation plan, including a witness list, evidence list, intended timeframe, and order of interviews for all witnesses and the responding student, who may be given notice of the meeting prior to or at the time of the meeting;
- Notify the responding student of the alleged policy violations through a “notice letter.” Notice will be emailed to the student’s University of Saint Francis email account. (Note: The University reserves the right to deliver notice in person or by mailing the letter to the address of the student.) The letter of notice includes alleged violations and notification of where to locate the Code of Student Conduct, as well as notification of the conduct meeting;
- Interview all relevant parties and witnesses;
- Obtain all evidence and information that is available;
- Complete the investigation promptly by analyzing all available evidence without unreasonable deviation from the intended timeline; and
- Make a finding, based on a preponderance of the evidence (i.e. more likely than not) and communicate the finding and warranted sanctions to the responding party through an “outcome letter.”