College of Optometry (CO) 2025–2026 115 The student may provide the chair with a list of any witnesses the student may have, in writing, no later than two business days before the meeting date. The student will be responsible for ensuring the presence of the student’s witnesses. Any witnesses will be called in individually to be questioned and to provide any statements. Any witnesses may be asked to remain outside the meeting room for later recall. The student will not be present during the questioning of any witnesses. The student will be given the opportunity to present a statement to the committee. The student will only be present during the student’s statement and to respond to any questions from the committee. The chair will dismiss the student and any witnesses and close the meeting for discussion. At the conclusion of the discussion, the committee shall make a recommendation to the dean. The various disciplinary actions that may be recommended by the SPC include—but are not limited to—warning, probation, suspension, and dismissal. The dean will review the committee’s recommendation. The dean may either accept, modify, or overturn the recommendation. The dean may also remand the matter back to the SPC for further review. The student will then be notified of the dean’s decision by email, certified mail (return receipt requested), or personal delivery. The recommendations of the SPC and all reports, letters, and investigative records are maintained in the files of the dean for no less than five years. Appeals Board Decisions of the dean may be appealed to the Appeals Board of the CO. Students who elect to follow this route should seek the input/advice of the assistant dean for Student Affairs. Appeals Board Hearing Guidelines The student appeals hearing is an informal proceeding and consists of four members and a chair. The hearing shall be internal, private, and closed to nonuniversity persons. Nonuniversity personnel are not available for consultation during these hearings. All procedures and actions are aimed to safeguard and preserve the educational and developmental mission of the CO. Appeals Board Responsibilities The appeals board will hear all student appeals of decisions made by the dean of the CO relating to either dismissal or disciplinary actions as defined in this student handbook. If a student appeals the decision of the dean, the appeal must be in writing and submitted to the chair of the appeals board within five business days (excluding holidays and weekends) after the date of receiving notification of the dean’s decision. Any appeals not submitted to the chair of the appeals board within this time frame shall not be heard. The appeal must contain a concise statement of all relevant facts and the result sought. No new evidence may be introduced during the appeals process. Academic issues are the sole province of the faculty and administration of the CO. Appeals to this appeals board, which is not constituted solely of optometry faculty or administrative personnel, must be based exclusively on procedural error committed by the SPC, the Honor Court, or the dean. In the letter of appeal submitted by a student, the precise procedural error that allegedly occurred must be identified, and no other elements may be considered by that committee. It shall be the responsibility of the chair to review all letters of appeal, forwarding to the appeals board for a full hearing only those appeals that are based explicitly and exclusively on disputed procedural errors and do not attempt to introduce new information. The appeals board does not possess the mandate to conduct a separate
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDE4MDg=