Code of Conduct - Conduct Procedures

 II. CONDUCT PROCEDURES 

A. Administration of the Code of Conduct
1. The Center for Student Conduct
The Center for Student Conduct is responsible on behalf of the campus for intake of complaints alleging violations of the Code, investigation of alleged violations, issuing charges of Code violations, participating in the informal resolution process, and presentation of conduct violation cases at formal hearings. The Center for Student Conduct administers complaints of both academic and non-academic violations of the Code. Faculty members may resolve academic violations separately or in conjunction with the Center for Student Conduct (see Faculty Informal Resolution of Academic Violations, section II.D.1.c).
2. The Independent Hearing Officer
The Independent Hearing Officer is responsible for resolving procedural matters described in section II.D.2.c.2 of this Code, administering the formal hearing process, presiding over formal hearings, and deciding all procedural and evidentiary matters related to formal hearings.
3. Advisory Review Committee
The Center for Student Conduct may seek the advice of an Advisory Review Committee with respect to pursuing or charging a case, appropriate recommended sanctions or sanctioning pursuant to an informal resolution. Hearing bodies may also seek the advice of an Advisory Review Committee for the purpose of determining an appropriate sanction. Advisory Review Committees will be formed on an as-needed basis from the members of the Committee on Student Conduct and will include three members: a faculty chair, one student and one staff member. Advisory Review Committee members responsible for making decisions related to pursuing or charging a case will not be seated on the hearing panel for that case.
4. Procedures and Timelines
Each case is handled individually and, while due process is always provided, every procedure outlined in the Code may not be used in a particular case. All deadlines and time requirements in this document may be extended for good cause as determined by the Independent Hearing Officer or upon the agreement of the Center for Student Conduct and the charged student. Requests for extensions of deadlines must be made in writing to the Independent Hearing Officer, and the Independent Hearing Officer will notify both parties whether or not the extension is granted, and if an extension is granted, the specific date of the new deadline or event.

B. Filing a Complaint and Investigation of Allegations
1. Filing a Complaint
Most cases begin with a complaint alleging that a student has committed an academic or non- academic violation of the Code. Any member of the faculty or staff, a student or any other person may file a complaint with the Center for Student Conduct within sixty (60) days of the date the reporting party knew or should reasonably have known of the alleged violation unless law or an external agency requires that information be withheld. In the event that the information must be withheld the complaint must be submitted within thirty (30) days from the date the information can or could have been released. Complaints alleging violation of certain campus policies, such as the Sexual Harassment Policy, must be filed within time limits prescribed in those policies. The Center for Student Conduct may also independently investigate information concerning student misconduct from any source, such as police and/or press reports, even where no formal complaint has been filed.
2. Sexual Harassment Complaints
In cases involving sexual harassment and/or gender discrimination, the investigation of specific allegations will be conducted by the Title IX Compliance Officer or other officer designated by the Chancellor in accordance with the Berkeley Campus Policy on Sexual Harassment and Complaint Resolution Procedures or the Student Grievance Procedure. In cases involving a complaint of rape or sexual assault, the investigation of specific allegations will be directed by the Title IX Compliance Officer and conducted by the Center for Student Conduct. The Title IX Compliance Officer will decide whether sexual assault and sexual harassment cases should be pursued by the Center for Student Conduct.
3. Complaints Relating to University Housing
Students residing in University-owned and/or operated housing facilities who violate the Residential Code of Conduct may be adjudicated under the process outlined in the Residential Code of Conduct or referred directly to the Center for Student Conduct.

C. Investigation of Misconduct
The Center for Student Conduct will conduct an investigation of complaints of alleged misconduct and determine whether sufficient information exists to proceed with a conduct process. One of the following actions will be taken within seven (7) days after the date that the Center for Student Conduct receives a complaint, unless the length of the investigation period is extended to a later specific date by the Independent Hearing Officer (notice does not need to be provided to the student of the application for or issuance of such an extension):
1. Case Not Pursued
a) Insufficient Information or Evidence
If the Center for Student Conduct determines that there is insufficient information or insufficient evidence to support an allegation of violation of the Code, charges against the responding student will not be pursued.
b ) Notification
As an alternative to pursuing charges against a student who has allegedly violated the Code, the Center for Student Conduct may issue a written notification to a student that the student’s alleged behavior, if it had actually occurred, would have violated University policy, campus regulations or the Code and would be subject to the conduct process. The Notification is not a determination that the allegations against the student are true, does not result in a conduct record, and therefore is not appealable. However, the prior alleged behavior as detailed in the Notification may be introduced in a subsequent conduct process for the purpose of establishing that the student was warned that such behavior violates University policy, campus regulations or the Code.
2. Case Charged
a) Notice of Charges
If the Center for Student Conduct determines that there is sufficient information to support the allegation(s), the student will be notified of the charge(s) under the Code. The written notice of charges, also referred to as the Alleged Violation Letter, includes: notice to the student of the University Policy or campus regulation(s) the student is alleged to have violated; a brief summary of the incident including, wherever possible, the date, time, and location of the alleged offense; a specific statement of the sanction(s) that may be applied if the student chooses to not take part in the conduct process; notice of the student’s right to be accompanied by an advisor at any stage of the conduct proceedings at the student’s own expense; notice of the opportunity to meet with a Center for Student Conduct staff member to discuss resolution of the charges pursuant to Informal Resolution of Allegations (section II.D.1 of this Code); notice of the student’s right to a hearing; notice of the student’s right to request a copy of the student’s own conduct file; notice of the procedure for requesting a time extension; and notice of the Center for Student Conduct’s intent to continue the conduct process in the student’s absence unless the student meets with staff or returns the signed letter indicating the student’s choice of resolution.
The Alleged Violation Letter also informs the student that unless the student contacts the Center for Student Conduct in writing within seven (7) days of receipt of the Alleged Violation Letter, the student may be found responsible for the conduct violation described in the Alleged Violation Letter and the listed sanction(s) may be assigned.
When appropriate, the Center for Student Conduct may place a student on interim suspension by issuing a Notice of Interim Suspension (see Interim Suspension, section VI.105.08).
Notice to student organizations will be addressed to the president, principal officer, student group signatory or other students designated by the group to act as an agent on behalf of the group.
b) Response to Charges
(1) Contacting the Center for Student Conduct
The student must respond to the Center for Student Conduct via email within seven (7) days of receipt of the Alleged Violation Letter regarding the student’s intent to participate in the conduct process. As long as the student contacts the Center for Student Conduct in writing by the indicated deadline, the Center for Student Conduct shall not automatically impose any sanction(s). Students should return the signed letter indicating their choice of the following options: request a meeting with Center for Student Conduct staff to discuss an informal resolution (see Informal Resolution of Allegations, section II.D.1); accept the proposed sanction(s) or alternative resolution process offered in the Alleged Violation Letter; request a panel hearing; or request an administrative hearing conducted by the Independent Hearing Officer (see Formal Hearing Processes, section II.D.2).
(2) No Response
If the student does not contact the Center for Student Conduct in writing within seven (7) days of receipt of the Alleged Violation Letter, and the sanction proposed in the Alleged Violation Letter is not suspension or dismissal, then, within ten (10) days, the Center for Student Conduct may find that the student is responsible for the charges described in the Alleged Violation Letter and may impose the sanction(s) recommended in the letter.
If the student does not contact the Center for Student Conduct in writing within seven (7) days, and the sanction proposed in the Alleged Violation Letter is suspension or dismissal, then the case will be forwarded to the Independent Hearing Officer who, within ten (10) days, will conduct an administrative hearing, determine responsibility, and if necessary, assign sanctions. By failing to reply, the student has waived any right to appear at the administrative hearing, but the Independent Hearing Officer may permit the student to participate in the hearing upon the request of the student. If the Independent Hearing Officer finds that a violation does not justify the sanction(s) recommended by the Center for Student Conduct, the Independent Hearing Officer may impose a less severe sanction.

D. Resolution of Charged Cases
Students may choose to resolve their cases either informally through meetings with Center for Student Conduct staff or formally through a hearing process. If a student chooses, or if charges are not resolved informally, then charges will be resolved by a hearing. In all cases, a student may request a copy of the student’s own conduct record from the Center for Student Conduct. The Center for Student Conduct must provide the requested copy within three (3) days of such requests. The release of such information may be subject to limitations imposed by state and federal law (see the Berkeley Campus Policy Governing Disclosure of Information from Student Records).
1. Informal Resolution of Allegations
a) Student Conduct Informal Resolution
Students charged with Code violations are offered the opportunity to meet with the Center for Student Conduct to resolve their case without a formal hearing. If a student elects this option, the meeting will take place within ten (10) days of the student’s response to the Alleged Violation Letter. Cases may be resolved informally if the charged student, at any time prior to the hearing, admits violating the Code as charged or otherwise accepts an informal resolution. Informal resolutions generally include sanctions as described in Conduct Sanctions (section VI of this Code) combined with enhancements such as community service, additional educational requirements, written assignments, etc. Upon accepting an informal resolution, a student waives the right to a hearing and any further appeal. If the Student Conduct Officer and the student cannot reach a mutually acceptable agreement regarding sanctions, then the Student Conduct Officer will inform the Independent Hearing Officer that informal resolution was unsuccessful, and the Independent Hearing Officer will schedule a hearing to resolve the charges. The student may elect to have the case resolved through a panel hearing or an administrative hearing (see Formal Hearing Processes, section II.D.2).
b) Additional Informal Resolution Options
In some cases, Center for Student Conduct staff may suggest to the student that additional options for informal resolution may be appropriate. These options could include, but are not limited to, mediation, peer review boards, and restorative justice processes. If the student agrees that such informal resolution is appropriate, then the Center for Student Conduct may make appropriate referrals. If the informal resolution is successful, the charges may be resolved consistent with (a), immediately above, or may be dismissed in the discretion of the Center for Student Conduct. In these situations, the Independent Hearing Officer shall suspend the hearing timeline while such efforts are pursued, and shall set a hearing date promptly upon notice from the student or from the Center for Student Conduct that informal resolution is unlikely to resolve the charge.
Subject to the agreement of both the Center for Student Conduct and the charged student, charges may be submitted for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Alternative Dispute Resolution refers to procedures for resolving disputes by means other than the formal student conduct processes. This method of resolution utilizes a third party facilitator or mediator who is neutral and does not make decisions for the parties. Instead, the facilitator or mediator creates a format for discussion, holds parties to ground rules, helps organize the dispute into manageable issues, and guides brainstorming for possible solutions. If the parties are not able to create an agreement, then the case is referred back to the Center for Student Conduct for resolution, and to the Independent Hearing Officer for the setting of a hearing schedule.
c) Faculty Resolution of Academic Violations
(1) Generally 
Faculty members may choose to informally resolve incidents of academic misconduct or may refer such complaints to the Center for Student Conduct. All faculty dispositions will be reported to the Center for Student Conduct, either for adjudication (as described in Resolution of Charged Cases, section II.D) or for record-keeping purposes. If the student has a prior history of misconduct at the University, the Center for Student Conduct may administer the matter after consultation with the instructor or faculty member.
(2) Initial Investigation
Instructors or faculty members attempting to settle academic matters will discuss allegations of academic misconduct with the student directly and, if appropriate, others involved in the suspected academic violation. If the student maintains innocence of the violation and the instructor or faculty member determines that no such violation occurred, he or she may cease investigating the complaint.
(3) Faculty Determined Disposition
If, upon discussion, the student admits the violation, the instructor may impose an appropriate academic sanction after confirming with the Center for Student Conduct that the student has no prior history of academic misconduct. If the student does not admit to the academic misconduct or consent to the sanction proposed by the faculty member, the matter will be administered through the Center for Student Conduct. Academic sanctions may only be imposed by faculty members and include but are not limited to resubmitting assignments and grade adjustments. Faculty members may not impose sanctions as listed in Conduct Sanctions (section VI of this Code). All faculty dispositions will be reported to the Center for Student Conduct for record-keeping purposes.
(4) Referral to the Center for Student Conduct
If the instructor or faculty member is unable to, or elects not to resolve the complaint with the student, he or she will report the alleged violation to the Center for Student Conduct.
If the student, in discussion with the instructor or faculty member, maintains innocence of the alleged violation and the instructor or faculty member believes a violation did occur, he or she will report the alleged violation to the Center for Student Conduct. If a student is found responsible for academic violations of the Code, academic sanctions may be imposed by the faculty member (see Faculty Determined Disposition, section II.D.1.c.3) and non-academic sanctions may be imposed by the Center for Student Conduct or the hearing body (see Conduct Sanctions, section VI).
When an instructor or faculty member reports an alleged academic violation to the Center for Student Conduct, a course grade of "I" (Incomplete) will be noted on the grade sheet pending resolution of the allegation. When the alleged violation is reported to the Center for Student Conduct, it will be handled as outlined in section II.D, Resolution of Charged Cases.
(5) Notice of Final Disposition
The instructor or faculty member will, in all cases, be informed of the disposition of the allegations by the Center for Student Conduct to the extent permitted by applicable law and University policy.
2. Formal Hearing Processes
Students may choose to have their cases resolved through either a panel hearing or an administrative hearing. The student must indicate a choice of a panel or administrative hearing in writing, either by responding to the Alleged Violation Letter or following the student’s preliminary meeting with the Center for Student Conduct. If the student requests a hearing but does not choose between a panel or administrative hearing, then the Independent Hearing Officer will schedule a panel hearing. The hearing will be scheduled by the Independent Hearing Officer to occur at least fifteen (15) days from, but not later than twenty-five (25) days from, the date that the student was given as the deadline for responding to the Alleged Violation Letter. If the student elected to meet with the Center of Student Conduct in response to the Alleged Violation Letter, then the hearing will be scheduled by the Independent Hearing Officer to occur at least five (5) days from, but not later than fifteen (15) days from, the end of the ten (10) day period provided for the informal resolution meeting. The Independent Hearing Officer will provide written notice to the Student Conduct Office and to the charged student of the date, time and location of the hearing. The Independent Hearing Officer may determine, for good cause stated in writing by the student or by the Center for Student Conduct, that the date of the hearing should be continued to a later specific date or that the time or place of the hearing should be changed. The Independent Hearing Officer will provide reasonable notice to the parties of any changes to the date, time or location of the hearing.
a) Panel Hearing
Panel hearing cases are presented to hearing panels comprised of members of the Committee on Student Conduct, which act as the hearing body and make a determination regarding the alleged violation(s). Panel hearings are presided over by the Independent Hearing Officer. Both the student and the Center for Student Conduct will have an opportunity to present witnesses for questioning (see Presentation of Information, section II.D.2.d.1).
b) Administrative Hearing
Administrative hearings are conducted by the Independent Hearing Officer, who shall act as the hearing body and make a determination regarding the alleged violation(s). In all other respects, administrative hearings are conducted in the same manner as panel hearings.
c) Pre-Hearing Process
(1) Exchange of Information
The student may request a copy of the student’s own disciplinary file at any time in order to prepare for a hearing. The Center for Student Conduct must provide a copy within three (3) days of such requests.
The Independent Hearing Officer will establish a procedure for the parties to exchange information prior to the formal hearing. The exchange will occur no later than five (5) days prior to the hearing, unless the Independent Hearing Officer sets an earlier date for the exchange. The parties will exchange copies of all information relevant to the incident to be shared at the hearing and a list of possible witnesses.
The release of information pursuant to this section may be subject to limitations imposed by state and federal law (see Berkeley Campus Policy Governing Disclosure of Information from Student Records).
The Independent Hearing Officer may exclude any information from the hearing that a party fails to include in its exchange of information or fails to exchange according to these procedures.
(2) Pre-Hearing and Procedural Matters
The Independent Hearing Officer will review and decide any procedural matters either in advance of or during the hearing as necessary and appropriate. These matters include but are not limited to: limits on each side’s time for presentation, exclusion of duplicated or irrelevant matters, or order of presentation of information. The Independent Hearing Officer will make such decisions based upon the specific circumstances of the case in order to promote the fair and efficient resolution of the hearing.
The Independent Hearing Officer will rule on and remedy any violations of a charged student’s procedural rights with regard to the Conduct process and this Code. If the Independent Hearing Officer determines that a violation of the student’s procedural rights has occurred, the Independent Hearing Officer may take whatever actions are necessary with respect to the pending case to remedy any harm resulting from the violation, including but not limited to exclusion of evidence or dismissal of some or all of the charges.
Prior to the hearing, if a charged student believes the information or evidence is not sufficient to conclude that it is more likely than not that the student committed the violation(s), and/or if the student believes that the alleged violation is not within the jurisdiction of the Code, the student may ask the Independent Hearing Officer to dismiss the charge.
The Independent Hearing Officer may establish procedures for submission and determination of all pre-hearing matters.
d) The Hearing
(1) Presentation of Information
Hearings are not conducted according to formal rules of procedure and evidence. The members of the hearing panel, the Independent Hearing Officer, the charged student and the Center for Student Conduct shall all be allowed an opportunity to question each witness. Once the hearing body has completed its questioning of a witness, the Center for Student Conduct and the charged student will each be given the opportunity to ask any remaining questions. The student must choose one of the following methods for all follow-up questioning: either 1) all follow-up questions are asked by the student and the Conduct Officer, or 2) all follow-up questions are submitted by the student and the Center for Student Conduct to the panel in writing as they arise during the course of the hearing. No later than the start of the hearing, the student will elect the questioning method in writing. The student and the Center for Student Conduct will each be given an opportunity to make both opening and closing statements.
(2) Question and Answer
No person is required to provide information against one’s own self in any conduct proceeding. Information shared will normally not be admissible unless the opposing party is afforded a reasonable opportunity to confront and ask questions of the witness. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the student’s witnesses are present. However, if a witness is unavailable or declines to attend, the Independent Hearing Officer will determine whether written or other recorded statements of such witness will be admitted.
(3) All Information Presented at the Hearing
The hearing body’s decision will be based only upon information introduced at the hearing. Neither the charged student nor the Center for Student Conduct may communicate information regarding the merits of the case or its disposition to the hearing body without the other party being afforded an opportunity to respond.
(4) Choosing Not to Appear
Unless good cause is shown, if the student does not appear at the hearing, the hearing body may find the student responsible for some or all of the charges and may apply some or all of the recommended sanctions against the student. The hearing body’s decision will be based only upon the information available at the hearing, and that information may be introduced informally. If the Center for Student Conduct does not appear at the hearing, the Independent Hearing Officer may dismiss the charges against the student.
(5) Standard of Proof
The Center for Student Conduct bears the burden of proving the charges. The standard of proof for all hearings is a preponderance of evidence. A preponderance of evidence is defined as “more likely to be true than not.”
(6) Admissibility of Information
Admissible information is the sort upon which responsible persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs, and is not restricted to evidence admissible under the strict rules of evidence of a court of law. The hearing body will not consider information that it determines has been obtained by fundamentally unfair means.
(7) Prior Conduct Record
The hearing body will take into account the student’s prior conduct record, if any, only for purpose of determining an appropriate sanction unless the information is considered to be relevant to the charges.
(8) Information in Cases of Sexual Assault or Rape
The privacy interests of the parties will be considered by the hearing body in making decisions about the introduction of information. In cases involving allegations of sexual assault or rape, information regarding an individual's sexual history and practices will be considered only when it is determined that the information is directly relevant to the claims and essential to fair resolution of the matter.
e) Hearing Body’s Recommendation and Dean of Students’ Decision
The hearing body is responsible for determining, based on the evidence presented at the hearing, whether it is more likely than not that the charged student violated the Code with respect to each charged violation. If the hearing body determines that it is more likely than not that the student violated the Code, it shall also recommend a sanction. Where the hearing is conducted before a hearing panel, the Independent Hearing Officer shall not participate in the panel’s deliberations or the drafting of its report, nor shall the Independent Hearing Officer make recommendations to the panel regarding what decision the panel should make. The hearing body’s decision will be documented in a report that includes a summary of the student’s behavior and a determination of whether the student has been found responsible or not of each alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct. The hearing body will also recommend to the Dean of Students or his/her designee specific sanctions to be imposed if it finds the student in violation of the Code. The hearing body will deliver a copy of the report to the Independent Hearing Officer within ten (10) days of the hearing, and the Independent Hearing Officer will promptly send a copy by email to the student, the Dean of Students, and the Center for Student Conduct.
Based upon the findings of the hearing body and any recommendation for sanctioning, the Dean of Students or his/her designee will determine the sanction to be imposed. A written statement of the Dean of Students’ or his/her designee’s final decision on sanctioning will be sent by email to the charged student within ten (10) days of receiving the hearing body’s report.
f) Recommendation to Revoke Degree Previously Conferred
(1) If the hearing body determines that a student has committed an act of academic misconduct or fraud affecting the acquisition of the student’s degree, the Dean of Students or his/her designee may forward a recommendation that the degree be revoked to the Committee on Courses of the Academic Senate. A Notice of Intent to Recommend Revocation of Degree will be sent via email to the charged student with the written statement of decision.
(2) The Dean of Students’ or his/her designee’s recommendation will not be forwarded to the Committee on Courses until expiration of the time to file a written appeal (see Appeal of the Hearing Body and Dean of Students’ Decisions, section II.E) or until determination that the appeal by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or his/her designee has been completed.
(3) The Committee on Courses makes the final decision as to revocation of the degree. This determination is not appealable to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
g) Consolidation of Hearings
Cases in which more than one student is charged with violating the same Code section(s) and which depend on common evidence may, at the discretion of the Independent Hearing Officer, either be considered jointly in a single consolidated hearing or be assigned to separate, individual hearings. All charged students must waive their rights to confidentiality before the hearing may be consolidated. (See Berkeley Campus Policy Governing Disclosure of Information from Student Records.) When an individual student is alleged to have violated the Code in separate incidents, the cases may be resolved in a single hearing process when appropriate as determined by the Independent Hearing Officer.
h) Record of the Hearing
The Independent Hearing Officer will make an official recording of the hearing, a copy of which must be made available to the charged student upon request. The student may, at the student’s own expense, use the services of a professional stenographer during the hearing. In some instances the recording may have to be transcribed before it can be released (see Berkeley Campus Policy Governing Disclosure of Information from Student Records).
i) Hearings Generally Closed to the Public
In order to protect the privacy of the student, hearings are closed to the public unless an exception is granted by the Independent Hearing Officer upon written request by the student. The student may request an open hearing by submitting a written request for a public hearing along with a waiver of confidentiality to the Independent Hearing Officer within a reasonable time in advance of the scheduled hearing date. If the request for an open hearing is denied, the Independent Hearing Officer will provide a rationale in writing. In a consolidated hearing, all charged students must waive their rights to confidentiality and to a closed hearing before the hearing may be opened to the public. In all hearings, charged students may have a non-participating observer present, in addition to the advisor. The Independent Hearing Officer may close any hearing to the public when necessary to maintain order or to protect the rights of the participants including the privacy rights of student witnesses or others. In cases concerning allegations of sexual misconduct or other allegations involving important privacy interests, the Independent Hearing Officer may close a hearing upon determining that the privacy rights of a party or witness may otherwise be jeopardized.

E. Appeal of the Hearing Body and Dean of Students' Decisions
Appeals of the hearing body and the Dean of Students’ or his/her designee’s decisions must be addressed in writing to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or his/her designee.
1. Timeline for the Appeal
Within ten (10) days of the emailing of the written notification of the Dean of Students’ or his/her designee’s final decision, either the charged student or the Center for Student Conduct may submit a written appeal to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or his/her designee. When such an appeal is timely submitted by a party, the Vice Chancellor or his/her designee must promptly send a copy of the appeal to the other party. Within five (5) days of receiving the copy, the other party may submit a written response to the Vice Chancellor or his/her designee.
2. Suspension of Sanctions Before the Appeal
The filing of a timely appeal suspends the imposition of sanctions until the appeal is decided, but interim action may be taken as determined by the Dean of Students or his/her designee. Grades or degrees may be withheld pending conclusion of the appeal.
3. Basis for Appeal
An appeal must be based on newly discovered evidence that was not available at the time of the hearing, significant procedural error, or upon other evidence or arguments which, for good cause, should be considered.
4. Final Determination of Appeal
The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or his/her designee will make the final determination of all cases appealed under these regulations. Except in cases where the appeal is based upon newly discovered evidence, the Vice Chancellor or his/her designee will review the record of the hearing and will not consider information that was not part of that record, other than the student's prior conduct record, if any. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or his/her designee may approve, reject, or modify the decision and sanction in question, or require that the original hearing be re- opened. Where the appeal is based upon new information, the case may be referred back to the hearing body for further consideration. The action taken will be communicated in writing to the student and the Center for Student Conduct within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the appeal and related documents.