(2) A student nonacademic misconduct hearing committee shall consist of at least three persons, including at least one student, except that no such committee shall be constituted with a majority of members who are students. The presiding officer, who may be the hearing examiner designated pursuant to s. UWS 17.06, shall be appointed by the chief administrative officer. The presiding officer and at least one other member shall constitute a quorum at any hearing held pursuant to due notice. Section 14. UWS 17.08(1) and (2) is amended to read:
UWS 17.08 Nonacademic misconduct occurring on or outside of university lands.
(1) Misconduct on university lands. Except as provided in s. UWS 17.08 (2), the provisions contained in this chapter shall apply to the student conduct described in s. ss. UWS 17.09 and 17.151 that occurs on university lands or at university-sponsored events. (2) Misconduct outside of university lands. The provisions contained in this chapter may apply to the student conduct described in ss. UWS 17.09 and 17.151 that occurs outside of university lands only when, in the judgment of the investigating officer, the conduct adversely affects a substantial university interest. In determining whether the conduct adversely affects a substantial university interest, the investigating officer shall consider whether the conduct meets one or more of the following conditions: (a) The conduct constitutes or would constitute a serious criminal offense, regardless of the existence of any criminal proceedings.
(b) The conduct indicates that the student presented or may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of himself, herself the student or others.
(c) The conduct demonstrates a pattern of behavior that seriously impairs the university's ability to fulfill its teaching, research, or public service missions.
Section 15. Subchapter II – Procedures for Student Nonacademic Discipline in Non-Sexual Misconduct Cases of Chapter UWS 17 [precedes UWS 17.09] is created to read: UWS 17
SUBCHAPTER I
PROCEDURES FOR STUDENT NONACADEMIC DISCIPLINE IN NON_SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CASES
Section 16. UWS 17.09(intro.) amended to read:
UWS 17.09 Conduct subject to disciplinary action. In accordance with s. UWS 17.08, the university may discipline a student for engaging in, attempting to engage in, or assisting others to engage in any of the following types of nonacademic misconduct. Conduct defined in s. UWS 17.09 shall use the disciplinary procedure, hearing, appeal, and settlement processes detailed in ss. UWS 17.11 to 17.15. However, at the university’s discretion, conduct defined in s. UWS 17.09, when arising out of the same facts and circumstances as sexual misconduct defined in s. 17.151, may be consolidated with such charges and addressed with the disciplinary procedure, hearing, appeal, and settlement processes detailed in ss. UWS 17.152 to 17.156. Section 17. UWS 17.09(2) and (3) and (17) and (18) and (19) are repealed.
Section 18. UWS 17.09(20) is created to read:
(20) Retaliation. Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured in ss. UWS 17.152 to 17.156, or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under ss. UWS 17.152 to 17.156. Section 19. UWS 17.10 is renumbered to UWS 17.085 and 17.085(1)(intro.) is amended to read:
(1) The disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed for nonacademic misconduct, in accordance with the procedures of ss. UWS 17.11 to 17.13, and 17.152 to 17.154, are any of the following:
Section 20. UWS 17.11 is amended to read:
UWS 17.11 Disciplinary procedure.
(1) Process. The investigating officer may proceed in accordance with this section to impose, subject to hearing and appeal rights, one or more of the disciplinary sanctions listed in s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) for conduct defined in s. UWS 17.09. (2) Conference with Respondent. When the investigating officer concludes that proceedings under this section are warranted, the investigating officer shall promptly contact the respondent in person, by telephone, or by electronic mail to offer to discuss the matter, review the investigating officer's basis for believing that the respondent engaged in nonacademic misconduct, and to afford the respondent an opportunity to respond. If the respondent fails to respond to the investigating officer, the investigating officer may proceed to decide on the basis of the available information. A complainant shall have all the rights provided to the respondent in this subsection.
(3) Determination by the investigating officer that no disciplinary sanction is warranted. If, as a result of a discussion under sub. (2) or review of available information, the investigating officer determines that nonacademic misconduct did not in fact occur, or that no disciplinary sanction is warranted under the circumstances, the matter will shall be considered resolved without the necessity for further action. The investigating officer shall simultaneously notify the respondent and the complainant of this outcome and offer to discuss it separately with either one. If the investigating officer determines that nonacademic misconduct did not occur or that no disciplinary sanction is warranted, the complainant may appeal this decision in accordance with s. UWS 17.13. (4) Process following determination by the investigating officer that nonacademic misconduct occurred.
(a) If, as a result of a discussion under sub. (2) or review of available information, the investigating officer determines that nonacademic misconduct did occur and that one or more of the disciplinary sanctions listed under s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) should be recommended, the investigating officer shall prepare a written report which shall contain all of the following:
1. A description of the alleged misconduct.
2. A description of all information available to the university regarding the alleged misconduct. Such information shall be available to the complainant and the respondent, except as may be precluded by applicable state or federal law.
3. Specification of the sanction sought.
4. Notice of the respondent's right to a hearing.
5. A copy of this chapter and of the institutional procedures adopted to implement this section.
(b) The written report shall be delivered simultaneously to the respondent and complainant, excluding any information that may be precluded by applicable state or federal law.
(c) A respondent who receives a written report under this section has the right to a hearing under s. UWS 17.12 to contest the determination that nonacademic misconduct occurred, the choice of disciplinary sanctions, or both.
1. Where the disciplinary sanction sought is one of those listed in s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) (a) to (g), and if the respondent desires a hearing, the respondent shall file a written request with the student affairs officer within 10 days of the date the written report is delivered to the respondent. If the respondent does not request a hearing within this period, the determination of nonacademic misconduct shall be regarded as final, and the disciplinary sanction sought shall be imposed.
2. Where the disciplinary sanction sought is one of those listed in s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) (h) to (j), the investigating officer shall forward a copy of the written report under par. (b) to the student affairs officer. The student affairs officer shall, upon receipt of the written report, proceed under s. UWS 17.12 to schedule a hearing on the matter. A hearing shall be conducted unless the respondent waives, in writing, the right to such a hearing.
Section 21. UWS 17.12(1), (3), and (4) are amended to read:
(1) A respondent who requests a hearing, or for whom a hearing is scheduled under s. UWS 17.11 (4) (c) 2., for conduct defined in s. UWS 17.09, shall have the right to decide whether the matter will shall be heard by a hearing examiner or a hearing committee. In cases of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or sexual harassment the university shall have the right to decide whether the matter will be heard by a hearing examiner or a hearing committee. (3) No less than 5 days in advance of the hearing, the hearing examiner or committee shall obtain from the investigating officer, in writing, a full explanation of the facts upon which the determination of misconduct was based, and shall provide the respondent and the complainant with access to or copies of the investigating officer's explanation, together with any other materials provided to the hearing examiner or committee by the investigating officer, including any additional available information of the type described in s. UWS 17.11 (4) (a) 2.
(4) The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with all of the following guidance and requirements:
(a) The hearing process shall further the educational purposes and reflect the university context of nonacademic misconduct proceedings. The process need not conform to state or federal rules of criminal or civil procedure, except as expressly provided in ch. UWS 17.
(b) The respondent shall have the right to question adverse witnesses, the right to present information and witnesses, the right to be heard on his or her the respondent’s own behalf, and the right to be accompanied by an advisor of the respondent's choice. The advisor may be a lawyer. In cases where the recommended disciplinary sanction is identified in s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) (a) to (h), the advisor may counsel the respondent but may not directly question adverse witnesses, present information or witnesses, or speak on behalf of the respondent except at the discretion of the hearing examiner or committee. In cases where the recommended disciplinary sanction is identified in s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) (i) or (j), or where the respondent has been charged with a crime in connection with the same conduct for which the disciplinary sanction is sought, the advisor may question adverse witnesses, present information and witnesses, and speak on behalf of the respondent. In accordance with the educational purposes of the hearing, the respondent is expected to respond on his or her the respondent’s own behalf to questions asked of him or her the respondent during the hearing. The complainant shall have all the rights provided to the respondent in this subsection.
(c) The hearing examiner or committee:
1. Shall admit information that has reasonable value in proving the facts, but may exclude immaterial, irrelevant, or unduly repetitious testimony.
2. Shall observe recognized legal privileges.
3. May take reasonable steps to maintain order, and to adopt procedures for the questioning of a witness appropriate to the circumstances of that witness's testimony, provided, however, whatever procedure is adopted, the complainant and respondent are is allowed to effectively question the witness.
(d) The hearing examiner or committee shall make a record of the hearing. The record shall include a verbatim record of the testimony, which may be a sound recording, and a file of the exhibits offered at the hearing. The respondent and the complainant may access the record, except as may be precluded by applicable state or federal law.
(e) The hearing examiner or committee shall prepare written findings of fact and a written statement of its decision based upon the record of the hearing.
(f) A hearing examiner's or committee's finding of nonacademic misconduct shall be based on one of the following:
1. Clear and convincing evidence, when the sanction to be imposed is one of those listed in s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) (h) to (j).
2. A preponderance of the evidence, when the sanction to be imposed is one of those listed in s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) (a) to (g).
3. A preponderance of the evidence, when the sanction to be imposed, in all cases of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.
(g) The hearing examiner or committee may impose one or more of the disciplinary sanctions listed in s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) (a) to (g) that differs from the recommendation of the investigating officer. Sanctions under s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) (h) to (j) may not be imposed unless previously recommended by the investigating officer.
(h) The hearing shall be conducted by the hearing examiner or committee, and the university's case against the respondent shall be presented by the investigating officer or his or her the investigating officer’s designee.
(i) The decision of the hearing examiner or committee shall be prepared within 14 days of the hearing, and delivered simultaneously to the respondent and the complainant, excluding information that may be precluded by state or federal law. The decision shall become final within 14 days of the date on the written decision unless an appeal is taken under s. UWS 17.13.
(j) If a party the respondent fails to appear at a schedule hearing and to proceed, the hearing examiner or committee may issue a decision based upon the information provided.
(k) Disciplinary hearings are subject to s. 19.85, Stats., the Wisconsin open meetings law Open Meetings of Governmental Bodies and may be closed if the respondent or complainant requests a closed hearing or if the hearing examiner or committee determines that it is necessary to hold a closed hearing, as permitted under the Wisconsin open meetings law. Deliberations of the committee shall be held in closed session, in accordance with s. 19.85, Stats. As such, proper notice and other applicable rules shall be followed. Section 22. UWS 17.13(1) is amended to read:
(1) Where For conduct defined in s. UWS 17.09, where the sanction prescribed by the hearing examiner or committee is one of those listed in s. UWS 17.10 17.085 (1) (h) to (j), the respondent may appeal in writing to the chief administrative officer within 14 days of the date of the written decision to review the decision of the hearing examiner or committee, based upon the record. In cases involving sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or sexual harassment, the complainant shall be notified of the appeal. Section 23. UWS 17.13(2) is repealed.
Section 24. UWS 17.13(3) and (4) are amended to read:
(3) The chief administrative officer has 30 days from receipt of an appeal to respond and shall sustain the decision unless the chief administrative officer finds any of the following:
(a) The information in the record does not support the findings or decision.
(b) Appropriate procedures were not followed which resulted in material prejudice to the respondent or complainant.
