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Review Panel function and order of events

Function  

Purpose

To hear the personal testimony of those involved and to deliberate on the case outcome (verdict and penalty, if applicable). These recommendations are passed on to the Dean of the Graduate School, who makes the final decision regarding the case outcome.

Composition

A minimum of four graduate students and three faculty members.

Voting Privileges

Both faculty and student members. 

Procedures

The hearing is chaired by the Chair, and procedures are detailed below under "Order of Events."

For more information on the Review Panel, please see Article IV of the GHS Constitution.

Order of Events

  • Recording device is turned on.
  • Introductions of all participants present in the hearing.
  • The procedure of the Review Panel hearing is reviewed.
  • The information and materials obtained during the evidence gathering, including the original statement of the charge, is presented.
  • Each of the referred is asked to enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no plea) for each charge.
  • The referrer(s) is asked to comment on the incident and may present witnesses.
  • The referred students(s) is asked to comment on the incident and may present witnesses.
  • Review Panel members ask questions of the referred student(s) and the referrer(s). The referred student(s) and the referrer(s) may NOT practice cross-examination; however, they may make clarifying statements in response to questions and comments made in the hearing. Only Panel members and GHS personnel may ask questions.
  • The referrer(s) is asked to make a final statement.
  • The referred student(s) is asked to make a final statement.
  • The referrer(s) and the accused student(s) are dismissed from the hearing room.
  • Recording device is turned off.
  • The panel goes into closed deliberation.
  • Guilt/Innocence: The panel must determine guilt or innocence before the choice of a penalty is discussed. At the conclusion of the discussion on guilt vs. innocence, the Chair asks panelists whether the student guilty of the alleged violation. A determination of guilt requires a majority vote by the panel. If a majority is not obtained, the panel is  deemed to have found the student not guilty.
  • Penalty: If a guilty verdict is reached,  panelists discuss the choice of penalty and motion with their recommendation. Penalty recommendations also require a majority vote. Penalties are listed in Article VI: Section 1 of the GHS Constitution.
  • The panel is reminded of the strict confidentiality of the case, all confidential material is collected, and the panel is dismissed.
  • The referred is notified in writing about the verdict and his/her right to an appeal, if such is warranted.