A downloadable PDF of the handbook is currently being updated.
Student Due Process, Rights, and Responsibilities
Rights of a Respondent (Charged Student)
A Charged Student (Respondent) will have the following rights:
The presumption of not responsible. A Respondent/Charged Student may not be deemed responsible until the conclusion of the hearing proceedings.
To receive a notification letter through Written Communication of any specific allegation, Charge(s), and evidence collected.
To be provided with a reasonable amount of time to respond to the Notification Letter.
To refuse to comment or answer questions.
To present information or any Witness in defense of a charge per the procedures outlined in the Standards of Conduct and Honor/CSC Council constitution.
To request that any member of a hearing body be recused for good cause clearly established by the charged Student. The request for a Council member to be recused will be reviewed by the Council President in consultation with the OCS Administrator.
To present evidence of any issue coming before their hearing.
To have an Outcome imposed that is appropriate with the violation.
Right to be assisted by an Advisor (for Honor Council and Community Standards Council hearings only). The Advisor can only be selected by the Respondent from the current members of the Honor or Community Standards Councils.
To retain rights as a Student until a final decision is issued by the hearing officer, hearing body, or Appeals Committee if requested. However, a Student may be subject to an Interim Suspension, limitations or conditions as set forth in the Standards of Conduct.
Responsibilities of a Charged Student (Respondent)
A Charged Student will have the following responsibilities before and during a hearing:
To be honest.
To attend the scheduled hearing on a specified date, time, and location.
To have personal information kept private. All hearing proceedings are confidential and private. The Office of Community Standards may share information with campus partners with a legitimate educational interest of the matter.
To appeal any hearing outcome as detailed in this Standards of Conduct.
To check their Rhodes student email on a frequent and regular basis in order to stay current with College-related communications,
To conduct reasonable questioning of any Witness appearing at the hearing (Honor Council and Community Standards Council hearings only).
To conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful and honorable. Any participant that is disruptive to the hearing process will be dismissed and the hearing will continue in their absence.
Only the College may record the Honor Council and Community Standards Council proceedings. No other forms of recording or transmission of any proceeding is allowed.
Proceeding in Absentia
In the event a Charged Student, fails to respond to any notification sent by a Hearing Officer or Council representative, the case may proceed through the process without the Charged Student, in attendance.
A hearing may proceed without the Charged Student in attendance.
Rights of a Complainant
The Complainant may be notified the outcome of the hearing has been determined; details of the outcome will not be shared due to confidentiality.
When participating in any OCS hearing, the Complainant may use conference call, written statement, video, or other measure for the Complainant’s safety or wellness. The hearing officer/chairperson may require that the Complainant respond to reasonable questions requested by the Charged Student in real time.
Role of Advisor (for Honor Council and Community Standard Council)
The Advisor's function shall be to provide support, education, guidance, and advice to the Student, during any Honor Council or Community Standards Council meeting/hearing or procedure.
The Advisor may be present but may not represent the Respondent in any hearing proceeding.