Conduct of the Hearings

Timing: The committee shall make all reasonable effort to hold its hearing within thirty (30) working days from the date the report of academic dishonesty is referred to it for investigation and disposition. Allegations made at the end of the spring semester and during the summer semester may be investigated and reviewed by the committee within the first two months of the following fall semester.

Evidence: Formal rules of evidence do not apply in committee hearings. Committee members may consider as evidence any supporting materials that, in their discretion, contribute to their objectives of discovering the truth and resolving the allegation of dishonesty. Committee members may also exclude evidence that, in their discretion, is repetitious, irrelevant, or not of value to their deliberation. The faculty member alleging academic dishonesty is responsible for presenting materials supporting the allegations. The accused student is responsible for presenting any materials s/he may have in support of his/her defense.

Appearance before Committee: The accused student, affected faculty member, and witnesses who are members of the Lesley community are expected to meet with the committee in person unless compliance would result in significant and unavoidable personal hardship. If necessary, the accused student, affected faculty member, and witnesses may meet with the committee by telephone or by other methods deemed appropriate by the committee.

Witnesses: In conjunction with their initial written statements regarding the allegations, the accused student and the affected faculty member shall submit a list of names of witnesses that committee members may question to obtain evidence. The committee shall interview the witnesses it deems relevant. Witnesses are expected to give truthful testimony. During the hearing, committee members shall summarize the witnesses’ statements for the affected faculty and the accused student and provide each with an opportunity to respond to the statements made by the witnesses.

Confidentiality: Committee hearings are closed to the public, and all present at the hearing shall consider the information presented as confidential.

Assistance: Students may not be accompanied by an attorney in the hearing but they may be accompanied by an administrator or faculty member from the Lesley community to advise them. The role of the Lesley representative is limited to conferring with and advising the student. The advisor is not permitted to argue, make statements, or question witnesses. The committee or student may request the participation of members of the Center for Academic Achievement, the Office of Disability Services, the Office of Information Technology, or other such offices as appropriate.

Rendering a Decision: The committee may take any investigatory action that it deems appropriate. The committee shall deliberate in private and shall render a decision by majority vote. The committee shall only render a decision that a violation has occurred if it is satisfied that a violation has been shown by clear and convincing evidence.

The Committee’s Report: Upon conclusion of its deliberations, the committee shall prepare a written report with clerical assistance from the Dean’s office. The report shall contain a summary of the allegation(s) of academic dishonesty, the student’s response, the committee’s findings (including its evaluation of the credibility of the student and witnesses), and the evidence that supports its findings and its recommendation for sanctions if the allegation is credited. The report will be forwarded to the school Dean within two (2) weeks of the final hearing. A copy of the report shall be shared with the student and referring faculty member.

Failure to Appear: If the accused student fails to appear after proper notice, the committee may reach its conclusion and set an appropriate sanction on the basis of the evidence that is before it. A student who fails to appear at the hearing either in person, by telephone, or otherwise may not appeal the decision(s) of or the sanction(s) imposed by the committee unless there was an extreme emergency that caused their failure to appear.

Record Keeping: Committee records shall be maintained for seven (7) years by the school’s Office of the Dean. A copy of the committee’s report shall be placed in the permanent file of every student who is found guilty of academic misconduct.