The green pages found in the Dartmouth College Student Handbook provide detailed information relative to the Standards of Conduct and Academic Regulations as well as the Structure and Operation of the Undergraduate Disciplinary System.
A student alleged to have violated the Academic Honor Principle or Standards of Conduct is obligated to become familiar with the rules and regulations governing COS hearings and to keep himself or herself informed of developments in his or her case through frequent contact with the Undergraduate Judicial Affairs Office. Failure to do so is at the student's own risk.
Students will receive copies of the allegation and supporting materials in the mail, and students are encouraged to seek out an advisor as soon as possible.
Allegations of violations of the Standards of Conduct are referred to the appropriate Dean who makes a determination about the seriousness of the offense. Students should contact the First-Year Dean's Office, the Upperclass Dean's Office. or the UJAO with any questions or concerns about the disciplinary process.
When a student or organization assists an intoxicated individual in procuring the assistance of Safety and Security, local or state police, and/or medical professionals, neither the intoxicated individual, if a Dartmouth student, nor the individual or group who assists will be subject to formal College disciplinary action for (1) being intoxicated, or (2) having provided that person alcohol. This refers to isolated incidents only and does not excuse or protect those individuals or organizations who flagrantly or repeatedly violate the Student Alcohol Policy.
Advisors meet with students prior to a hearing to prepare for the hearing, understand the disciplinary process, and answer questions about the COS. Advisors also sit with the student during the hearing but are only permitted to address the COS at the discretion of the Chair. Only currently enrolled Dartmouth students, members of the Dartmouth faculty, and members of the Dartmouth administration may serve as advisors during COS hearings. Students may ask any current member of the Dartmouth community to advise them, although Class Deans usually work with students to prepare for the hearing. Students should understand that they themselves are responsible for responding to allegations and questions at the hearing.
First-Year Dean's Office - Upperclass Dean's Office - UJAO
COS proceedings are administrative in nature and are not governed by the rights and rules that apply in a court of law. However, if a student alleged to have violated the Academic Honor Principle or Standards of Conduct must appear before the COS for a hearing, the disciplinary system does provide that student with certain rights and obligations.
In all conduct cases where an undergraduate student admits alleged violations of the Standards of Conduct and the Dean determines that the seriousness of an offense merits a likely penalty greater than College Discipline, the student shall be advised of the nature and possible consequences of such penalty and shall be informed that the case will be referred to the COS for hearing and recommendation of penalty. The student shall also be advised that he or she may, instead, request to be heard and have the penalty imposed by the Dean, and in such cases where the Dean agrees to conduct the hearing the decision of the Dean on a penalty shall be final except for the student's right to request reconsideration.
A Suspension-level Dean's hearing is a one-on-one hearing where the student appears before a Dean and discusses the incident. The Dean makes a decision about the appropriate sanction. In a COS hearing, a committee of five people (two faculty, two students, and one administrator appointed by the President) meet to discuss the allegation with the student and make a decision about responsibility. Information about the COS process can be found on this web site or in the Dartmouth College Student Handbook.
