Preparing for a Disciplinary Proceeding

If you are going to have an Administrative Conference, Academic Integrity Review, or University Hearing, you should prepare to present your case. Before the meeting, you should:

  1. Obtain a Campus Advisor.
     
  2. Provide the Office of Student Conduct with the names of your Campus Advisor and support person, if any.
     
  3. If you are the accused student, and would like someone (such as a family member or attorney) to have access to information about the case, submit a release form (available at https://bit.ly/RutgersDisciplinaryRelease) to the Office of Student Conduct.
     
  4. Contact the Office of Student Conduct (conduct@echo.rutgers.edu) to review the case file.
     
  5. Review the investigation report, which is included in the case file.
     
  6. Develop a list of evidence that helps to prove your version of events. Provide this list and copies of your evidence to the Office of Student Conduct by the submission deadline.
     
  7. Prepare your witnesses and submit your witness list to the Office of Student Conduct by the submission deadline. 
     
  8. If you plan to make a statement in your defense, prepare a narrative. This is a full, detailed description of the incident in question and your version of events. You will introduce your evidence and witnesses when you present your narrative.
     
  9. Anticipate what the opposing party might say and prepare questions for them that will bring out information supporting your case.
     
  10. If your case will be heard at a University Hearing, prepare a closing statement (optional). This is a brief summary of the information you have presented and the conclusions you want the board to draw.
     
  11. In the event that the accused student is found responsible, the Hearing Board or decision-maker will determine a sanction. Prepare a statement recommending an appropriate sanction. If you are the accused student, you may wish to obtain written statements from character witnesses.* These statements may be introduced during the sanctioning portion of the meeting. If you are the complainant, you may introduce a victim impact statement.

* A character witness provides information about the accused student's background and character.