Procedures of the HEC
Steps in the HEC process are outlined below.
- Expedited
- The accused student participates in a hearing heard and adjudicated by both Co-Chairs without a panel of faculty and student panelists. Expedited hearings may be held throughout the academic year, including during University breaks and the summer sessions.
- Regular
- The accused student participates in a hearing heard and adjudicated by a panel composed of one Co-Chair, two faculty panelists, and two student panelists. Regular, full-paneled hearings can only be held during the Fall and Spring semesters
- Reporting Instructor submits the reporting form for the Judicial Liaison to review
- The instructor may consult with the Judicial Liaison before submitting a report. Such consultations are not required to lead to filing a report.
- Judicial Liaison determines if the allegation is reasonably supported by the available information, such that a hearing is warranted.
- The JL may choose to collect additional information and materials as appropriate.
- Judicial Liaison submits the report of alleged academic misconduct to the Academic Student Conduct Coordinator
- Academic Student Conduct Coordinator provides the student with the following information:
- Notification that the case has been brought forward
- Information about the steps of the academic Honor Code process
- Information about support from staff (ASCC) and option for a support person
- Instructions and a deadline for completing the student statement
- Instructions and a deadline for requesting either an “Expedited” or a “Regular” hearing
- Academic Student Conduct Coordinator compiles all of the case materials and makes them available to the appropriate parties
- Academic Student Conduct Coordinator schedules hearing
- Student requests regarding the type of hearing (“Expedited” or “Regular”) will be granted to the extent that they are reasonable and feasible, but the HEC Co-Chairs make the final decision in unusual circumstances.
- Co-Chairs convene the hearing and then facilitate the panel’s deliberations to determine the student’s responsibility and to assign sanctions when warranted
- Student is informed of the Outcome (the finding of “Responsible” or “Not Responsible” and any accompanying sanctions) and the process for appealing the HEC decision via a formal letter delivered to the student’s registered Wake Forest email address
Students requesting an appeal must follow these procedures:
- Requests for an appeal from an Honor and Ethics Council hearing must be submitted within 14 calendar days via this Appeal Request Form to the Secretary of the Judicial Council, Sarah Frederick.
- Appeal requests should set forth the reasons why the decision of the HEC hearing should be reversed or modified and must address one or more of the following grounds for an appeal: (1) sufficiency of the evidence to support the decision, (2) appropriateness of the sanction, (3) germane new evidence, (4) procedural error that significantly impacts the outcome.
- Students who have received a sanction of suspension or expulsion are automatically granted an appeal hearing if the request is made within 14 calendar days of receiving notification of the outcome and sanction. Students who have received a sanction other than suspension or expulsion are not guaranteed an appeal hearing. In cases where an appeal hearing is held, the Judicial Council will set a date for the appeal hearing and notify the student in writing of the hearing date.
- Sarah Frederick, the Secretary of the Judicial Council, is prepared to talk or meet with a student to explain the details of how an appeal hearing works and address any questions before the hearing.