Board hearings
Students at Mount Royal University can expect to be treated fairly and objectively when facing concerns around conduct. To this end, the Office of Student Conduct strives to facilitate consistency and transparency by collecting information about allegations and subsequent resolutions, and to convene formal processes in cases where mutual resolution remains difficult. Peer adjudication is one of the Office of Conduct’s established principles, empowering students by involving them in student judicial processes.
Board training
In order to ensure fair and consistent judiciary proceedings, the Office of Student Conduct provides board training for students, faculty and staff interested in participating as board members for academic and non-academic misconduct hearings. Judicial boards established under the Code have significant student presence and will be supported in their efforts to achieve strong standards of objectivity and worth.
The Office of Student Conduct welcomes those interested in judicial affairs, particularly students, to be involved in academic and non-academic misconduct hearings. Training is provided for students, faculty and staff.
Board development workshops will be offered during each major semester and small group training or one on one training sessions are offered year round.
Members of the Mount Royal community interested in training as a board member should contact the Office of Student Conduct at 403.440.6356 for further information.
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Academic integrity boards
If student & instructor are unable to reach agreement on description of an incident and/or sanction, and mediation and/or alternative measures are deemed inappropriate, the case is referred to an Academic Integrity Review Board.
Composition of Academic Integrity Review Board:
Five members consisting of three students and two unaffiliated instructors, one whom acts as Chairperson, and all of whom have participated in a board development/training workshop conducted by the OSC.
All parties involved have the right to appeal the decision of the Review Board to the Academic Integrity Appeal Board if the applicable grounds (see Code of Student Conduct) are met.
Composition of Academic Integrity Appeal Board:
Five members consisting of two students, one unaffiliated instructor, one unaffiliated Dean/Director, and the Vice President or designate (Chairperson), none of whom were members of the Academic Integrity Review Board.
Note: Decisions of the Appeal Board are final.
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Non-academic Misconduct Boards
If an incident is not, or cannot, be resolved by advising, mediation or alternative measures, the case is referred to a Non-Academic Misconduct Review Board.
Composition of Non Academic Misconduct Review Board:
Five members consisting of two students, two unaffiliated instructors, and the respective Dean/Director or designate of the area of study or alleged incident, as appropriate, of the student in question. All members are required to have participated in a Board Development/Training Workshop conducted by the OSC.
All parties involved have the right to appeal the decision of the Review Board to the Non Academic Misconduct Appeal Board if the applicable grounds (see Code of Student Conduct) are met.
Composition of the Non Academic Misconduct Appeal Board:
Five members consisting of two students, one unaffiliated instructor, one unaffiliated Dean/Director, and the Vice President or designate (Chairperson), none of whom were members of the Non Academic Misconduct Review Board.
Note: Decisions of the Appeal Board are final.
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Review Board Hearing preparation
Academic and Non Academic Review Board hearings are conducted under the authority of the Code of Student Conduct. The board will ensure that the parties to a dispute receive fair and just treatment and that appropriate resolutions are achieved.
These are not legal proceedings but they will be conducted in a reasonably formal manner. In the end, the board will decide in favour of one party or the other on the basis of which facts or arguments are more probable accounts of what actually occurred in the case.
The following questions and their corresponding answers are intended to assist you in preparing for the hearing.
How do I prepare for the hearing?
Either party can access the Office of Student Conduct in Academic Advising Services for advice on how to prepare for a hearing and to have the procedures explained. In addition, a student may contact the Students’ Association (SAMRU) for advice and support. A faculty member may contact his/her supervisor.
How do I present my case?
There is already an incident report which both parties have submitted along with other documentation (e.g., copy of paper or exam, security incident reports, witness statements etc). If there are other written materials you would like to submit, you must submit these to the Office of Student Conduct a minimum of three full business days prior to the hearing. Copies of all documents will be provided to both parties.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. You are entitled to bring an attendant provided that three full business days prior to the hearing you submit in writing the name and affiliation (e.g., SAMRU representative, peer, parent, lawyer) of your attendant to the Office of Student Conduct.
Can this person present my case for me?
No. You must present your own case and answer all questions personally. This person may advise you but is not permitted to speak or to make written submissions.
Can I ask someone to testify on my behalf?
Yes. You can nominate witnesses to support your case but their names, affiliations and connection to the case must be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Conduct three full business days prior to the hearing.
What happens in the actual hearing?
The Chairperson will introduce everyone in the room, outline the process, and identify the issue and potential outcomes.
The person making the complaint will then be asked to present the facts and arguments in support of the allegation. Witnesses may then be called and the person responding and/or the board may ask questions of them. Witnesses will then be excused.
The person responding to the complaint will then be asked to present the facts and arguments against the allegation. Witnesses may be called and questions may be put to them by the person who has brought the complaint and/or the board. Witnesses will then be excused. If the board is satisfied and there are no more questions, the complainant and respondent will then be excused.
The Chairperson will sum up by reiterating what is at issue and by summarizing what the two parties have said. He/she will then indicate what the further process is.
What happens after the hearing?
The board deliberates in private and reaches a decision which is later communicated to both parties in writing.
What if I disagree with the decision?
Either party has the right to appeal the decision. The appeal board will decide whether there are grounds to re-hear the case (refer to the Code for detail about the three grounds). All decisions of the appeal board are final.
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