Rights and Responsibilities of Accused Students in the Conduct Process

Students and recognized student organizations charged with violating the Standards of Conduct are entitled to the following rights under the Young Harris College student conduct system:

The right to be treated respectfully throughout the process and the responsibility to be respectful to others throughout the process.
Notice of the charge(s) and an account of the alleged misconduct involving the accused student or recognized student organization.
The right to a hearing: (i) before the Student Conduct Administrator or their designee or (ii) before the Student Conduct Board.
Notice of a hearing for the accused student or recognized student organization.
Notice of the maximum allowable consequences or sanctions (i.e., expulsion).
The right to a hearing closed to the public.
The right to have an advisor from the full-time faculty, staff, or student body at Young Harris College. The advisor may not participate directly in the hearing but may provide advice to the student. An advisor who does not adhere to the expectation of no direct participation will be removed from any meeting or hearing related to the process. Attorneys and/or legal advisors, parents and/or legal guardians are not permitted in the YHC conduct process.
The right to present evidence on their own behalf or remain silent in a College hearing at their option.
The right to present the testimony of witnesses or other evidence at a hearing.
The right to participate or not participate in the conduct process. However, when a student chooses not to participate, the case will continue without the input of the student or recognized student organization.
The right to be presumed not responsible for the alleged misconduct. Evidence must be provided of the allegations against a student or recognized student organization sufficient to satisfy a preponderance of the evidence standard (which is more likely than not to have happened).
A written decision specifying outcome and right to appeal.
The right to challenge the participation of any Student Conduct Board member for bias or conflict. The dismissal of a challenged hearing board member shall be at the sole discretion of the Student Conduct Administrator and not subject to appeal.
The right to have their case heard only on the misconduct specified in the written notice.
The right to review evidence pertaining to the individual accused student, but not evidence pertaining to other students involved. The right to challenge the admissibility of evidence.
The right to cross-examine all available witnesses (cross examination questions must be addressed through the hearing board chair).
Appeal the decision of a College disciplinary board in accordance with the “Appeals Process” as detailed herein.