TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR A BOARD HEARING
One of the overall goals of the Office of Student Conduct is to educate students and
protect the rights, health, and safety of all members of the KBCC community. As a
result the Office of Student Conduct would like to offer any student participating
in the formal hearing process some tips to think about and consider as you navigate
this process.
Prior to the hearing, the Office of Student Conduct recommends the charged student
complete the following:
- Re-read the charge letter and the notice of hearing sent to you by the Office of the
Dean of Student Affairs regarding the policies you alleged violated as well as your
rights as a student.
- Confirm that the date and time of the hearing does not conflict with your other scheduled
responsibilities. Resolving this matter is extremely important and should be your
priority over most things, except family responsibilities. Call to reschedule if you
have a conflict with the hearing.
- Re-read the Henderson Rules to Maintain Public Order and Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws.
Pay particular attention to the explanation of the hearing process and the rule(s)
and/or policies you have been charged with violating. Read over the sanctions and
penalties so that you are aware of the meaning and implications of each.
- Revisit what happened on the date in question. Think about the mediation conference
and try to address the issues raised by the student conduct officer at that time.
- Contact your witnesses about the scheduled hearing date and ask that they plan to
attend. Get written statements from each witness. You will need these statements prior
to the hearing and will want them in case a witness cannot attend the hearing.
- Decide whether you will bring an advisor or lawyer with you to the hearing. The advisor
provides advice and support to you and may not speak for you. An advisor may be a
parent, professor, friend or any other person not involved in the incident. Your advisor
will not be permitted to address the Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee, witnesses
or the other parties during the hearing. Check to be sure your advisor's schedule
does not conflict with the hearing date and time. If you wish to be represented by
a lawyer or legal advisor, they can represent you during the hearing at your expense.
You will need to inform the Office of Student Conduct if you are being represented
by legal counsel.
- Prepare any statement you plan to make at the hearing. We also recommend you prepare
a list of questions for the witnesses and the College that will bring out relevant
information that will be useful to the hearing board during their deliberation.
- Review the outline of the hearing process that has been sent to you.
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early for your hearing. A late arrival might result in the start
of the hearing in your absence.
- Prepare yourself to discuss the incident in detail at the hearing and to answer questions
posed by the Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee and the College.
- At the hearing, share your version of the events that took place. Speak openly an
honestly with the Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee. Express yourself in an appropriate
respectful manner, similar to the way you wish to be treated. Treat the witnesses
and the College with respect and courtesy.
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