/Institutions/University-of-Science-and-Arts-of-Oklahoma/json/2024-2025/2024-2025-Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/University-of-Science-and-Arts-of-Oklahoma/json/2024-2025/2024-2025-Student-Handbook.json

Step Four: The Grievance Hearing

The scope of the Grievance Hearing is limited to the issue(s) identified in the Written Request for a Grievance Hearing.

The Chair of the Committee will schedule a date for the Grievance Hearing. The Grievance Hearing will generally be held within thirty (30) working days from the date the Hearing Panel issues its decision from the Initial Meeting. The Chair of the Committee will notify the Dean of Students of the date of the Hearing and the Dean of Students will notify all of the involved parties and witnesses in writing. This notification will generally be made at least seven working days prior to the date of the Hearing.

The Grievant and Respondent will be asked to submit to the Dean of Students a list of no more than five witnesses each, and their current email address and telephone number, to speak on their behalf during the Grievance Committee meeting. This list must be given to the Dean of Students at least five working days prior to the Hearing date. Generally, only witnesses whose names appear on this list will be permitted to participate in the Hearing. If extenuating circumstances exist, the Grievance Committee may elect to hear testimony from additional witnesses the Committee believes have pertinent information to provide. Members of the Grievance Committee may ask the Dean of Students to obtain additional documents that it believes to have relevance to the Hearing. All documents and witness lists must be provided at least five working days prior to the date of Hearing.

Both the Grievant and Respondent may be accompanied at the hearing by a support person (e.g., student, parent, faculty member, staff member, associate); however, this person may not participate in the hearing or speak on their behalf. Potential witnesses, other than the Grievant and Respondent(s), must remain outside of the hearing room other than when they are required to testify.

Prior to the hearing, the Grievance Committee will establish an appropriate schedule for the proceedings.

Members of the Committee will meet, in private, following the hearing to evaluate information presented. If during its deliberations the panel determines that additional information and/or witnesses should be considered it may reconvene the hearing at an appropriate time to do so.

The Grievant has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that they have been wronged.

The Committee’s determination will be based upon a vote of a simple majority of the Committee.