Initiating the Community Standards Process
In order to initiate the community standards process, the Office of Community Responsibility must receive a complaint or report that substantiates the facts and circumstances associated with any alleged violation(s) of community standards by a Carnegie Mellon student. The initial information for the complaint or report may be provided by a student, faculty, staff member, or non-affiliate directly to the Office of Community Responsibility or via the following:
- Campus Security Authority (as defined in the university’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report);
- Carnegie Mellon University’s Ethics Reporting Hotline;
- Carnegie Mellon University's Bias Reporting Resources;
- Carnegie Mellon University Police Department;
- City of Pittsburgh Police and/or other law enforcement agency;
- Information Security Office; or
- Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX.
The Office of Community Responsibility has the authority to review and adjudicate all violations of university standards, policies and regulations that involve students. A complaint may be resolved informally outside of the community standards process at the discretion of the dean of students or designee and with the agreement of the individuals involved in the matter. The university community standards process may not be used for the adjudication of matters involving the relationships or interactions that do not involve alleged violations of community standards. In such circumstances, the students involved will receive information about alternate options for resolution including facilitated dialogue, conflict coaching, and/or mediation.
As needed the Community Standards Review Committee is empowered to review initial complaints and determine whether there is a reasonable basis for resolution via the community standards process. When reviewing a complaint, the Community Standards Review Committee will consider if the described behavior could violate a University policy or community standard if shown to be true. The Community Standards Review Committee may determine the described behavior does not constitute a violation of community standards or the complaint does not contain enough information to make such a determination and may request additional information or further investigation. The Community Standards Review Committee may dismiss a complaint when it is determined there is no reasonable basis for resolution via the community standards process. Complaints that are dismissed may be resolved via an informal process including but not limited to, conflict coaching, facilitating a dialogue, mediation, restorative practices or shuttle diplomacy.
Student organizations, as members of the academic community, are expected to uphold university policies and community standards. Alleged violations of community standards associated with student organization activities may be reviewed through the community standards process. Individual students may simultaneously be held accountable through the community standards process in addition to any outcomes imposed on an organization found responsible for violating community standards.
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Withdrawal of a Complaint
Generally, when pending allegations are withdrawn by the complainant, the allegations may not be refiled unless new information becomes available that was not previously available. The refiled complaint will be reviewed by the Community Standards Review Committee to determine if the allegations should move forward based on the current circumstances.
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Engagement Expectations
It is an expectation that students involved in the community standards process make a good faith effort to participate and bring the matter to resolution.
If a complainant ceases to engage in the resolution process, the Community Standards Review Committee may elect to dismiss the allegations or the Community Standards Review Committee may allow the allegations to proceed with a university official serving as the complainant. Allegations dismissed by Community Standards Review Committee may not be refiled by the complainant unless new information is available that was not previously available.
If a respondent ceases to participate in the process, the university may proceed to make a determination via a Community Standards Meeting or schedule and conduct a Community Responsibility Panel/Hearing Officer Proceeding without that student's participation.
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Overriding Community Interest in Community Standards Matters
There are some circumstances in which an overriding community interest will necessitate engagement of the community standards process even if the impacted party does not wish to pursue it as a means of resolution. The Office of Community Responsibility in consultation with the Community Standards Review Committee will determine if an overriding community interest exists. The Title IX Coordinator will play a key role in determining the existence of an overriding community interest in cases involving alleged violations of the Carnegie Mellon Discriminatory and Sexual Misconduct Policy (Interim).
In circumstances where an impacted party does not wish to pursue action through the community standards process and it is determined that an overriding community interest exists, the university will bring the matter for review via the community standards process. The impacted party will be informed of this decision as well as their options for participation in the resolution process.