There are few events quite as nerve-racking for an undergraduate student as receiving a judicial hearing request from the Office of Judicial Affairs. Having to go in front of the judicial board can be a very intimidating experience, but as long as you keep your student rights in mind, your experience should be a fair one.

It all begins with a charge for a policy violation. Any member of the campus community may submit a charge against a student, be it Residential Life staff, faculty or Binghamton’s New York State University Police. One student may even place a complaint against another with a resident assistant, who then may or may not submit a formal charge to the Judicial Board.

Notice of the charge is then sent to the student, as well as informational literature from the Judicial Affairs Office regarding the hearing process.

The next step in the process is the actual hearing itself, where the evidence is discussed and the board comes to a decision. Contrary to popular belief, the judicial hearing is not as ceremonious as one might first imagine. There are two kinds of judicial boards: University and administrative. The administrative boards have two staff members and typically accept more sensitive material; University boards have two students and one administrator.

‘The hearings are more informal than some [students] might think,’ said Paul Stroud, associate director of Judicial Affairs. ‘After all, we’re not trying to be a court of law.’

Still, the judicial hearing should not be taken lightly, as much remains on the line. Every student is innocent until proved responsible under the guidelines found in the Student Handbook ‘ but being found responsible (guilty) can leave an indelible stain on your record.

‘I hope that [students] realize the stakes are very high, even on small charges ‘ sometimes, they can just forget about grad school,’ said Francine Montemurro, the University ombudsman.

The ombudsman is the student advocate to the administration.

Even so, there are some basic rights that, if used properly, can potentially lead to the charges being dropped.

First, students cannot enlist an attorney to represent them during the hearing. However, they do have the right to an adviser, who can assist them and provide advice.

Students also have the right to present evidence and witnesses for their case, as well as question said witnesses.

All students have the right to a copy of any written reports being used in the judicial process.

Also, students have the right to answer ‘ and refuse to answer ‘ any questions asked during the hearing. Refusal to answer a question is not viewed as admission of culpability, so feel free to use it when necessary.

Even though there are many ways for a student being brought before the judicial board to protect him- or herself, the most important step is to contact the Office of the University Ombudsman, the designated neutral body of Binghamton University.

‘We can offer confidential and informal assistance to everyone,’ said Montemurro. ‘We are here to help students through the process by discussing what their rights are and any possible infringements on those rights.’

For more information on the judicial process and your rights as a student, check the Student Handbook. All the information one might need is written there for anyone who is diligent enough to search.