Tried and judged: Tiffin University introduces student conduct board

by NICOLE BEARD
Staff writer

“We, the jury, find the defendant…”
 
Never before has a student have the benefit of a jury during the appeal’s process here at Tiffin University. Now, Michael La Torre and Students Affairs are looking for students who are interested in serving on a conduct review board.
 
Dean of Students, Michael Herdlick, when asked about the conduct board gave this explanation, said, “They wanted to invoke and give the students an opinion in an appeal situation. That's fair and justice. They have a hearing board, like with a judge and jury.”

Michael La Torre comments on how students need to respond to conduct board meetings to schedule within three days after getting the email. However, the meeting can happen anytime at the students’ convenience.
 
Every student deserves a chance to present his or her case. They need an audience that are willing to listen to their circumstances and give them fair judgment.  Dean Herdlick identifies the type of student who the conduct board could benefit from: “Someone who isn't as in-the-know and who aren't bias to the student getting an appeal.”
 
Conduct board members consist of faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduate students. The standards for the members of the conduct board are trained all through the same process.
 
Michael La Torre said, “No matter who they are, they go through the same training.”
 
However, not everyone is allowed to be a part of the conduct board. Resident Assistants and students apart of Security have been restricted from participating in the board.
 
It is also important for any student who has been suspended or dismiss from school to know that they are able to appeal their suspension or dismissal to the president. If you are interested in finding out more information about the appeal process, more information can be found in our university handbooks on pages 22 and 35.