Page 16 - San Bernardino Valley College Student Success Handbook 2020-21

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VII. Hearing Procedures
a. The hearing shall convene within ten (10) working days of the receipt of
the student grievance notice unless mutually agreed upon for a delay.
b. The hearing shall be closed unless all parties requests that it be open c. The following persons should be present:
1. The Hearing Committee.
2. The student who submitted a grievance and advocate, if any.
3. The college employee or student against whom the grievance is
brought and a representative of the appropriate bargaining unit, if
any.
4. Witnesses, while presenting testimony.
d. Both parties shall notify the appropriate Vice President or designee, in writing at least five (5) working days prior to the hearing if they will be accompanied by a representative/advocate. Such notification shall include the name and title of the representative. The Committee Chairperson shall be obligated to immediately notify the parties directly involved.
e. The hearing will be recorded.
f. All participants in a hearing shall be advised by the Committee
Chairperson that the proceedings are confidential.
g. Witnesses shall not be required to testify under oath; however, witnesses shall be advised that false testimony will constitute grounds for college disciplinary action.
h. The proceedings will not be bound by formal rules of evidence nor trial- like procedures. Rather, the procedures will be those upon which reasonable persons would rely in the conduct of serious affairs. The Committee Chairperson shall rule on all procedural issues. If substantive or procedural issues arise during the hearing that requires external assistance for resolution, the Hearing Committee Chairperson should recess the hearing and submit the issue to the college president for resolution.
i. Evidence and/or testimony which may be irrelevant or unduly repetitious may be so noted by the Committee Chairperson.