Student Handbook 2008-2009

The term "advisor," refers to a faculty member, administrator, or student from the University, who may be present during a conduct hearing, assist in the preparation of a hearing, and serve as an advisor during a hearing.

The term "charge" refers to a formal allegation to a student of violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Charges are described in a letter sent to a student whose conduct is in question.

The term "community rights and standards body" refers to any person or persons authorized by the Vice President for Student Affairs to determine whether a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct and to impose sanctions when a violation has been committed.

A "complainant" is any person who submits a report alleging that a student violated the Student Code of Conduct.

The term "fact finder" refers to an individual responsible for investigating a case and serving as a witness for a community rights and standards body. Normally, a fact finder is utilized in cases being heard before the Community Rights and Standards Board, but may contribute information in administrative hearings when appropriate.

The term "faculty member" refers to any person hired by Denison to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the University to be a member of its faculty.

The term "group" refers to a number of persons who are associated with each other but who have not complied with university requirements for registration as an organization.

The term "guest" refers to any person (student or non-student) who visits a student on campus including but not limited to the host student's residence hall.

A "hearing" is a formal meeting to determine whether violations of the Student Code of Conduct have occurred.

The term "member of the Denison community" includes any person who is a student, faculty member, University official or any other person employed by the University. Any question concerning a person's status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Vice President of Student Affairs or the Dean of Students.

The term "organization" refers to any number of persons who have complied with university requirements for registration.

The term "policy" is defined as the written regulations of the University as found in, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct, other policies in the Denison University Student Handbook, the Undergraduate Catalog, the university web page or computer use policy.

The term "sanction" refers to official university responses to violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions are intended to educate students and redirect inappropriate behavior toward more acceptable pattern consistent with community standards and values.

The term "student" includes persons taking or auditing classes at Denison, or who have matriculated in any university program. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the University or who have been notified of their acceptance for admission are considered students, as are persons who are living in University residence halls although not enrolled in this institution. For the purposes of this disciplinary policy, persons who withdraw after allegedly violating the Student Code of Conduct shall be considered students.

The term "university" or "Denison" refers to Denison University.

The term "university official" includes any person employed by the University who performs assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.

The term "university premises" includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, leased, operated, controlled or supervised by the University (including contiguous streets and sidewalks).

The term "university sponsored activity" refers to any activity on or off University premises that is directly initiated or supervised by the University.

The term "may" is used in the permissive sense.

The terms "will" and "shall" are used in the imperative sense.

The "Vice President for Student Affairs" is the person designated by the University president to be responsible for the administration of all aspects of student life, and shall be responsible for the administration of the Student Code of Conduct, although the President may assign another person to discharge those duties if the President deems it appropriate to do so.