Educational and Accountability Conference

Education and Accountability Conference is an informal resolution that provides an opportunity for the OCS Administrator to meet with the Respondent involved in an incident where ownership actions have been demonstrated or there is an opportunity for the student to engage in ownership actions.  The goal of this conference is to:

• Understand the impact of their actions and how they align and/or misalign with their intent.
• Seek development and education through discussion of exploration of alternative ideas, framework of thinking, and actions.
• Reach accountability for the actions that have been taken and reach a mutual educational outcome.

Educational and Accountability Conference Procedures

1. The Respondent will receive written notification of the alleged violation and any evidence submitted. 
2. The OCS Administrator or designee must act with complete impartiality. 
3. No recordings (audio and video) are made of the Educational and Accountability Conference process.  The Respondent cannot record the process on any device.
4. The student provides their narrative about what took place during the incident.
5. The Respondent may revisit the evidence submitted from their notification; the Respondent may also submit any evidence prior to the scheduled conference or during the conference.  The Respondent must be prepared to provide a copy of their evidence. 
6. The OCS Administrator, or designee, asks the Respondent questions relevant to the incident and their narrative of events.
7. The Respondent shares their closing statement.
8. The OCS Administrator, or designee, concludes the conference and discusses the decision and the outcome with the student.
9. The Respondent will acknowledge the outcome, in writing:
   • If the Respondent agrees to the outcomes, they acknowledge: 1) they are waiving their student due process rights, 2) they do not request a hearing.
   • If the Respondent does not agree with the outcome, the case is referred to a hearing officer/body.

Outcomes of Education and Accountability Conferences

1. The outcomes of an Education and Accountability Conference will be discussed and agreed on between the OCS Administrator and the Respondent.
2. When determining the educational outcomes for the violation, the following criteria is considered along with any other factors determined by the OCS Administrator to be relevant:
   • The nature and severity of the violation.
   • The ability of the Respondent to demonstrate their ability to uphold the Standards of Conduct as a productive member of the Rhodes community.
   • The level of cooperation and accountability of the Respondent during the conference. 
3. The following outcomes may be imposed:
   • Warning: This outcome is used in cases in which the Honor Council determines that the appropriate lesson has been learned and concludes the matter with a formal letter of warning.
   • Disciplinary Probation: A written notification for violation of specified regulations. Probation is for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary outcomes, including suspension or expulsion, if the student is found to violate any institutional regulation(s) during the probationary period. Students on disciplinary probation are considered not in good social standing with the College.  Good standing may be required for participation in certain campus activities. In addition, students not in good standing may have their conduct reviewed for leadership or employment positions on campus.
   • Discretionary Outcomes: Work assignments, service to the College, education, referral to counseling, follow-up meetings, developing/hosting programs and/or initiatives, educational seminar/workshops, required behavioral assessment, or other related discretionary assignments (such assignments shall have the approval of the OCS Administrator or their designee).
4. More than one of the outcomes listed above may be imposed for any single violation. 
5. The outcomes of the Education and Accountability conference is discussed and agreed on between the Respondent and the OCS Administrator, conclude the conference. 
   • If the Respondent agrees with the outcome, they acknowledge their agreement and understand they are waiving their right to a formal hearing and appeal.   
6. Failure to adhere to any outcome imposed may result in the individual being referred through a formal Community Standards resolution process (i.e., Administrative Hearing Conference, Community Standards Council, or Honor Council) or a conduct hold placed on their account.
7. Disciplinary Outcomes are not a part of the student’s permanent academic record but is a  part of the student’s disciplinary record.
8. Future violations of the same policy will be referred through a hearing resolution process.