Student Rights and Responsibilities
The student:
- Will be notified of the charges against him/her, in writing, prior to the hearing.
- Will be informed of the evidence upon which a charge is based.
- Will be given the opportunity to present his/her defense and offer evidence at the hearing.
- Will receive a written determination of the charges and notifications of any sanctions imposed, in a timely manner.
- Will be afforded confidentiality throughout the process.
- Will have the right to waive any of these rights.
Hearing
If a hearing is requested, such hearing will be convened at Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, N.J., within 21 business days after the request is received by the University. Students unable to travel to Trenton may attend the hearing telephonically via conference call. In these circumstances, every effort will be made to adhere as closely as possible to the procedures further outlined in this section.
- The student shall have the opportunity to testify and present evidence and witnesses. A list of witnesses and a copy of documents to be presented at the hearing must be submitted to the University at least seven days prior to the hearing.
- The student may have a nonparticipating advisor present for the proceedings.
- The committee shall hear and question witnesses.
- The student may suggest questions for witnesses to the committee.
- The hearing will be audio recorded. All records and/ or audio recordings of the hearing will be kept in the custody of the University. Records or recordings may not be reproduced without the specific authorization of the president of Thomas Edison State University.
- All expenses incurred by the student and any witness for the student will be borne by the student.
- If a student (with notice) does not appear at the hearing, the committee shall decide whether to proceed in the student’s absence.
- An audio recording of the hearing (not deliberations) shall be made and maintained by the University.
The Academic Integrity Committee will review all reports and evidence regarding the misconduct charge and determine the appropriate outcome and sanction. A written decision will be issued by the chairperson of the Academic Integrity Committee, within 10 business days of the hearing and will be sent to the student concerned via certified and regular mail.
Appeal Process
The student shall have the opportunity to appeal any decision involving disciplinary action. An appeal must be submitted in writing to the provost and senior vice president within 10 business days after receipt of the hearing decision of the Academic Integrity Committee. The appeal must specify the grounds on which it is made. Allowable grounds for appeals are limited to the following:
- Evidence of procedural irregularity
- Evidence of mitigating circumstances or facts that could not have been presented at the hearing
- Evidence of undue severity of sanction
- Evidence of bias on the part of the members of the Academic Integrity Committee
- Evidence that the decision of the Academic Integrity Committee is arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable and that the evidence does not support the charges
The provost and senior vice president will issue a decision within 10 business days and may require that the previously imposed sanction be:
- Affirmed and executed
- Suspended, set-aside, or rejected
- Modified or adjusted as warranted by circumstance
The decision of the provost and senior vice president is final.