Student Conduct & Community
Standards

Sanction Panel Procedures

Details on the sanction panel process



Sanction Panel Basics

1. A report of information or complaint is submitted to the Office of Student Conduct (OSCCS).

2. Staff from the OSCCS may or may not meet with the complainant to review the complaint for follow up and answer any questions they may have about the process. 

3. Staff from the OSCCS send a notice letter to the respondent(s), informing them that a complaint has been received and the alleged violations in the complaint.  A request to meet is included in this notification.  At that meeting, OSCCS staff will review the complaint, answer questions, and discuss options for responding.  Following this meeting, the respondent has three business days to submit a written response to the complaint.  

4. Once all the respondents submit their response or that deadline passes (whichever comes first), OSCCS staff reviews all case information with the Chair of the COD.  The Chair reviews it and determines if a case will be handled administratively, via sanctioning panel, or via COD hearing.

*Note: If the case is handled administratively, OSCCS staff sends a decision letter on the Chair’s behalf.  The decision may include a finding of responsibility, a letter to file, disciplinary probation, as well as educational sanctions. Cases involving suspension or expulsion may not be resolved via administrative resolution. 

5. If the case proceeds to a hearing or a sanctioning panel, OSCCS confirms the availability and impartiality of the hearing panel, schedules the hearing or panel, and, prior to the hearing, sends document packets to both parties, and all COD members who will serve on that hearing. 
 
Sanction Panel Preparation

  • Read all the documents you have received or written.
  • Review the Mind and Hand Book.
  • Consult the Rules of the Committee on Discipline 
  • Consider what questions you think the COD may ask and brainstorm your possible answers
  • Consider what questions you have and prepare a list of questions you would like to ask and key points you would like to discuss.
  • Consider having an advisor.  Your advisor can be any member of the MIT community who is not a media representative.  
  • If you would like assistance with language translation or accommodations for a disability at your hearing or sanction panel, please notify us prior so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
  • If you have a disability and need an accommodation to participate in any part of the COD process, please contact Disability and Access Services at 617-253-1674 or das-student@mit.edu.

Sanction Panel Process
Please note that this outline is intended to provide those participating in a Committee on Discipline (COD) hearing with information about how such panels typically proceed.  Each case is unique and the COD rules permit the COD to adjust procedures when appropriate.  Refer to http://cod.mit.edu/rules/section10  for more information.
 
Questions about these procedures can be directed to OSCCS.

I. Introductions 

  1. The chair and other members of the COD will introduce themselves
  2. The chair will provide a brief overview of the proceedings, including any case specific comments.

II. Review of the complaint and alleged violations

  1. The chair will review the alleged violations.
  2. The Chair reads the alleged violation(s) and confirms with the respondent that they are accepting responsibility.

III. Complainant’s Opportunity to Address the COD

  1. The complainant may make an opening statement.
  2. The respondent may ask questions of the complainant.  
  3. The COD may ask questions of the complainant.

IV. Respondent’s Opportunity to Address the COD

  1. The respondent may make an opening statement.
  2. The complainant may ask questions of the respondent.  
  3. The COD may ask questions of the respondent.

V. General Questions

  1. Time will be available for the COD to ask questions of either party as well as for the parties to ask questions of each other.

VI. Concluding Statements

  1. The complainant may make a closing statement.
  2. The respondent may make a closing statement.
  3. The complainant, respondent, and any advisors are excused.  The hearing is concluded.

VII. Deliberations and Follow-up

  1. The COD will deliberate to determine the appropriate sanction(s) to impose.
  2. The respondent will meet with the COD Chair or the OSCCS staff to receive the outcome in writing.