1. Report Received & Preliminary investigation occurs
2. A written notice of an Educational Conference is emailed to the student representative
   • The inter/national organization or regional representative and local advisor are copied on the written notice and invited to attend the Educational Conference.
3. The Educational Conference takes place.
4. An investigation takes place to gather and review evidence and witness interviews. Investigation timelines vary based on the type of investigation and cooperation from the student organization.
5. An outcome is determined.
   • A No Action Determination means the case is closed with no charges.

OR

1. • A Finding of Responsibility & Sanction Recommendations includes:

• • • Notice of Allegations (investigation summary) shared with key stakeholders
    • Follow-up meeting with key stakeholders to discuss potential sanctions/outcomes
    • Sanction recommendations are shared with the organization & all respective stakeholders

Student Organization Conduct Process

Local advisors are permitted, and encouraged, to attend Education Conferences and follow-up meetings between a student organization and SCCS, as an “Advisor,” as defined in Section 5.3 of the Code. Please note that advisors are not permitted to speak for or on behalf of a respondent/student organization.

 Local advisors are encouraged to participate in the student organization conduct process as follows:

• Review the Student Code of Conduct
• Review all notices and documents sent by SCCS to the student organization
• Attend all initial and follow-up meetings scheduled with SCCS and the student organization
• Provide support to the student organization, its president or identified representative, and members
• Promote honest, forthcoming, and prompt communication by the student organization, through its president, representatives, and members
• Strive for a fair and amicable resolution between the organization and SCCS

To promptly resolve conduct cases, SCCS will schedule meetings consistent with students’ class schedules and their availability. Advisors should consult with Student Representative to determine meeting time(s). They may teleconference in if unable to attend in person.

Student Conduct & Community Standards notifies an inter/national organization and/or regional representative, along with the organization’s advisor, of an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct through a written notice of Educational Conference.

• When the nature of the incident is more severe, SCCS or the organization’s administrative liaison reserves the right to immediately contact the inter/national organization. University interim administrative action may also be taken at any point in an investigation.

When the nature of an incident is more severe and/or the student organization’s continued presence poses a significant risk of substantial harm to the health, safety, or welfare of others, interim administrative action may be imposed by the Vice Chancellor for Student Life. University interim administrative action may be taken at any point in an investigation. Generally, SCCS, or the organization’s administrative liaison, will contact the inter/national organization prior to Interim Action being imposed. Wherever possible, SCCS works with inter/national organizations to craft language to recommend to the Vice Chancellor that feels appropriate based on the allegations and keeps the members and community at large safe.

In the event that an inter/national organizations becomes aware of new information and imposes internal interim action, the university will generally mirror the restrictions. Please notify SCCS at studentconduct@utk.edu or 865-974-3171 if your organization becomes aware of concerning behavior and may impose interim action in response to an incident.

• Notification: When the nature of the incident is more severe, SCCS, or the organization’s administrative liaison, may immediately contact the inter/national organization to notify the group, discuss any need for interim action, and connect on an investigation plan.
• Participating in Witness Meetings: If a FERPA waiver is on file for a member, an inter/national organization or regional headquarters may participate in SCCS meetings and interviews with members of the student organization.
• Collaborating on Investigation Summary: SCCS will often share the Notice of Allegations with the inter/national organization prior to meeting with the student organization. The inter/national organization can provide feedback and utilize the information included to draft any outcomes from the inter/national organization lens.
• Collaborating on Sanction Recommendations: If SCCS determines it is more likely than not that the student organization violated the Code, SCCS will often work with representatives from the inter/national organization on the recommended sanctions. Inter/national organizations often have educational programming that is specific to their organization and can create more buy-in for the members. SCCS also values input around any administrative outcomes, including social restrictions. SCCS generally tries to align all recommended outcomes with any outcomes the inter/national organization is also imposing.