Student Conduct Board

Student Code of Conduct 

Violation Established - Student Conduct Board (SCB):


Respondent contests finding of responsibility

If the respondent student or Registered Student Organization (RSO) contests a finding of responsibility and seeks review by the SCB, the request to proceed to the SCB must be submitted in writing within five business days from the date of notification of the Student Conduct Administrator’s determination. Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI) will schedule an SCB hearing to consider the information and evidence and make a determination concerning the allegations and, if necessary, any sanctions. The SCB is comprised of four university community members with at least one student, one staff or instructional faculty member, and a non-voting chair. SCAI will notify the respondent student or RSO of the date, time, and location of the hearing at least five business days prior to the scheduled SCB hearing. The respondent student or RSO has a right to be accompanied by an adviser of choice at the hearing.  The adviser may provide support and advice but may not speak on behalf of the respondent or otherwise participate in, or in any manner disrupt, the hearing. If the respondent student or RSO fails to attend the scheduled SCB hearing, the hearing will proceed in the respondent student or RSO’s absence and the respondent student or RSO’s ability to appeal the SCB hearing decision may be limited.

An SCB hearing typically consists of the following components:

  • Introduction and procedural rules presented by the SCB chair.
  • Introductory statement and presentation of information by Student Conduct Administrator
  • Witnesses presented by the Student Conduct Administrator, if any.
  • Introductory statement and presentation of information by the respondent student or RSO.
  • Witnesses presented by the respondent student or RSO, if any.
  • Closing statement by Student Conduct Administrator.
  • Closing statement by the respondent student or RSO.
  • Closed session deliberation by SCB.

Witnesses will provide information to and answer questions from the SCB. The respondent student or RSO may propose questions to the chairperson to be asked of the other party or witnesses. The chairperson will determine whether proposed questions or information will be presented.

All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the chairperson of the SCB.

There shall be a single record, such as a digital recording, of all SCB hearings excluding deliberations. The record shall be the property of the university and maintained securely consistent with university standards.

When an alleged victim is serving as a witness, alternative testimony options will be available, such as allowing the alleged victim to testify via electronic means.

The SCB will determine, by majority vote, if the respondent student or RSO is responsible for the charges based on a preponderance of the evidence presented at the hearing. The SCB will notify the Director of SCAI or designee in writing of the determination, the rationale for the determination, and any recommended sanctions. The Director of SCAI or designee will determine the final sanctions and notify the respondent student or RSO within five business days of the SCB hearing in writing via their VCU e-mail address of the SCB determination, the final sanctions, and the process for appeal.