Students referred to the formal conduct process will always begin with a conversation with an administrator. Students whose outcomes have the potential to result in loss of housing, suspension, or expulsion (if found responsible) will be referred to the community review board (CRB) and will meet with an administrator to discuss this process. For reported violations of the ethics of scholarship where students are referred to the formal conduct process, violations will typically be reviewed by the CRB. Reported violations of the sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking policy will follow a process as outlined in that policy. Minor violations of policy and failure to comply with completion of sanctions may receive an outcome letter without a meeting with an administrator, however the student will have the opportunity to discuss the outcome with an administrator.
In addition to violations reported by administrators and residence life staff, the formal conduct process allows community members to take agency over their own experiences when they may have been hurt or harmed. The process is not intended to be adversarial, rather it is intended to be educational and restorative, focusing on the values of the Code of Conduct and the Norms for Community Living as guiding principles for review of all reported policy violations. Depending on the severity and/or frequency of violation, educational and restorative outcomes may not be the most appropriate response. An information report must be submitted in order for action to be taken. This form is not for reporting an emergency or hazardous situation, instead call campus safety at 413.559.5424 for immediate assistance.
While the College does have the authority to take action on all reports of violations of policy, and anyone can anonymously report behavior, please note that without the participation of the reporting party, the process may be limited. Any community member may submit an information report and the submitting party will be contacted during business hours to follow up on the report. When contact information is provided by the reporting party, no action will be taken without contacting the reporting party. At minimum, information reports must meet the following criteria in order to move forward in the formal process:
- Must be timely: Reports must be submitted within fourteen (14) weeks of the alleged event, unless there are other compelling circumstances for a delayed filing as determined appropriate by the dean of students office. The following periods are not applicable to the fourteen (14) week timeline - between the last day of classes in the spring semester and the first day of classes in the fall semester, between the last day of classes in the fall semester and the first day of classes in the spring semester, and other break periods and holidays observed by the College.
- Cannot be harassing: Complaints filed as a means to harass or retaliate against a student are violation of the Code of Conduct and may be grounds for referral to the formal conduct process against the person filing a report as a means to harass or retaliate against a student.
- Must be specific: The person reporting the violation must submit enough information, in writing, to suggest that a violation may have occurred and include as much detailed information available at the time the report is submitted. If there is not enough information to suggest a violation may have occurred other options for resolution will be recommended.
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