Office of Community Standards

Section C of the Student Code of Conduct addresses sexual misconduct violations. The college considers sexual misconduct, sex discrimination, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking as extremely serious violations that are subject to disciplinary probation, residence suspension, suspension and/or expulsion from the college. To learn more regarding these violations, please visit the Student Code of Conduct; to learn more about sanctions, please visit Sanctions.

Any student (accused student/respondent, complainant/reporting party, bystander, etc.) has the right to:
- request that an interim measure or accommodation be implemented;
- challenge the assignment of an interim measure or accommodation;
- present information/evidence to support their request or their challenge of the interim measure or accommodation

The College’s Sexual Violence and Prevention and Response policy, Protection and Accommodations, has more information regarding interim accommodations.

The Office of Community Standards can provide more information regarding No Contact Orders.

The Office of Student Affairs Policies can provide more information regarding interim suspensions.

If a student wishes to present information that would challenge or modify their interim suspension or No Contact Order, they should email the Office of Community Standards at saf.conduct@purchase.edu for additional information. To challenge or modify any other accommodations, please contact the Office of Diversity and Compliance at titleix@purchase.edu.

Confidential Resources

Students involved in a sexual misconduct, sex discrimination, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking cases can speak with the following offices confidentially. These resources are professionally bound to not report any information:

• Counseling and Behavioral Health Services – 914-251-6390 

• Health Services – 914-251-6380

Additionally, students can contact the following hotlines:

• 24-Hr Rape Crisis Hotline – 1-855-827-2255

• Victim’s Assistance Services – 914-345-9111

University Police

Students involved in sexual misconduct, sex discrimination, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking incidents, can file reports with University Police. Once a report is received, the incident is promptly investigated by the police and the information is shared with the Office of Community Standards and the Title IX Coordinator/Investigator. The sharing of information allows for legal and/or administrative action to take place. Please contact University Police at 914-251-6900 (general) or 914-251-6911 (emergency) for additional information.

Non-Retaliation Statement

No member of the College community shall retaliate, intimidate, threaten, coerce or otherwise discriminate against a person who files a complaint, serves as a witness, assists, or participates in any way in a proceeding involving allegations of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking. Individuals who experience retaliation should report the incident to University Police at (914) 251-6900, the Director of Community Standards at 914-251-6033 and/or the Affirmative Action Officer at 914 -251-5982

The College’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response web page provides the definition of Affirmative Consent, an explanation of the College’s Amnesty Policy pertaining to sexual and interpersonal misconduct, as well as the Student’s Bill of Rights and transcript notation policy.

In cases of sexual/ physical aggressive/violent behavior, complainants/reporting parties and accused students/respondents may request any, or all, of the following accommodations:

1. To confidentially discuss an incident with a staff member in Health Services.

2. To confidentially discuss an incident with a staff member in the Counseling Center. Complainants/reporting parties may also confidentially discuss an incident with an outside victim service agency regarding crisis services and options for filing charges and to freely choose whether or not to participate with the discipline process.

3. To request an administrative review to discuss modification of on-campus living arrangements, if applicable.

4. To request an administrative review to discuss modification of academic/class arrangements, if applicable.

5. To request a No Contact Order, or if appropriate, a Persona Non Grata Status (PNG) or have an administrative review of an order or PNG status.

Accommodations during the Conduct Process

The Office of Disability Resources (ODR) coordinates academic adjustments and auxiliary aids and services for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to all programs, services, and activities at Purchase College. If you have a disability and require accommodations throughout the conduct process, please call or e-mail the ODR to initiate your request for accommodations, (914) 251-6035, odr@purchase.edu. Barring extenuating circumstances, the Office of Community Standards must receive information about your approved accommodations at least 48 business hours prior to the scheduled hearing date. Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to: illness, death/bereavement of parent/guardian or sibling, university closures, breaks between semesters due to activities such as study abroad, and failure to meet composition requirements for the hearing body. Note: a change in employment/work schedule or pre-scheduled/non-emergency medical appointment does not constitute an extenuating circumstance.

Fact Finding Investigation

In cases related to sexual misconduct, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, stalking, dating violence, and/or domestic violence, a fact-finding inquiry will be conducted and documented by the Office Diversity and Compliance. During the fact-finding phase, the Office Diversity and Compliance will implement appropriate remediation measures, including but not limited to interim-suspension, housing or academic accommodations, and/or No Contact Orders to ensure the safety of the college community. The College’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response web page can provide additional information.

Complaint Received/Application of Charges

After the Office Diversity and Compliance provides documentation to the Office of Community Standards (OCS).  OCS will review the information. If the office proceeds with the application of charges under the Student Code of Conduct, the accused student(s)/respondent(s)  and complainant(s) will meet with the office to discuss the alleged charges, potential sanctions, and to obtain an explanation of the hearing process.

Sexual & Interpersonal Violence Hearing Process & Student Rights:

Hearing Composition

In consideration of the traumatic nature of incidents of sexual and interpersonal violence, the College will convene a hearing panel consisting of three (3) faculty/staff members. A Procedural Officer will be present during a hearing panel. Information about the role of the Procedural Officer can be found on the hearing procedures web page.

Throughout conduct proceedings, the accused student(s)/respondent(s) and the complainant(s)/reporting parties will have:

• The right to a prompt response to any complaint and to have the complaint investigated and adjudicated in an impartial, timely, and thorough manner by individuals who receive annual training in conducting investigations of sexual violence, the effects of trauma, impartiality, the rights of the accused, the presumption that the accused is not responsible unless a disciplinary finding indicates otherwise, and other issues related to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

• The right to an investigation and disciplinary process conducted in a manner that recognizes the legal and policy requirements of due process (including fairness, impartiality, and a meaningful opportunity to be heard), and that is conducted by individuals with no conflict of interest.

• The right to receive advance written or electronic notice of the date, time, and location of any meeting or hearing they are required or are eligible to attend. Accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties will also be informed of the factual allegations concerning the violation(s), the specific alleged violation(s) from the Student Code of Conduct, as well as the potential sanction(s) outlined for those violation(s) in the Student Code of Conduct.

• The right to be accompanied by an advisor of choice who may assist and advise the accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties throughout any related meetings or hearings. Participation of the advisor in any proceeding is governed by federal law and the Student Code of Conduct. A person who is otherwise involved in the conduct case or hearing may not serve as an advisor of choice. The advisor may speak privately to the advisee during any disciplinary proceeding. The accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties may request a break(s) during the hearing to consult with the advisor. Breaks will be granted at the discretion of the Office of Community Standards. The advisor of choice may not present information, question witnesses, or speak during any meetings or hearings to anyone other than the student they are advising. Accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties are responsible for presenting all information, documents, requests, and opening and closing statements. Obtaining an advisor of choice is the responsibility of the accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties.

• The right to have a conduct process run concurrently with a criminal justice investigation and proceeding, except for temporary delays as requested by external municipal entities while law enforcement gathers evidence. Temporary delays should not last more than 10 days except when law enforcement specifically requests and justifies a longer delay, and are granted at the discretion of the Office of Community Standards.

• The right to offer evidence/information during an investigation and to review available relevant information in the case file held by the College.

• The right to a hearing panel consisting of three (3) faculty/staff members. A Procedural Officer will be present during a hearing panel. Information about the role of the Procedural Officer can be found on the hearing procedures web page.

• The right to request a one-time rescheduling of a disciplinary hearing not to exceed five (5) business days, barring extenuating circumstances. The accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties must submit a written request to the Office of Community Standards who will make a determination. The requesting party will be notified via Purchase email of the decision. Barring extenuating circumstances, these requests must be received no later than two (2) business days prior to the scheduled hearing. Extenuating circumstances that may warrant a delay of a hearing include, but are not limited to: illness, death/bereavement of parent/guardian or sibling, university closures, breaks between semesters due to activities such as study abroad, and failure to meet composition requirements for the hearing body. Note: a change in employment/work schedule or pre-scheduled medical appointment does not constitute an extenuating circumstance.

• The right to exclude prior sexual history with persons other than the other party in the conduct process and their own mental health diagnosis or treatment from admittance in the college disciplinary stage that determines responsibility. Past findings of responsibility for domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault pertaining to the accused will be admissible in the disciplinary stage that determines sanction. This information will be provided to the hearing panel at the time sanctioning is determined.

• The right to written or electronic notice of the charges that will be imposed under the Student Code of Conduct and the range of sanction(s) that may be imposed on the accused student(s)/respondent(s) if found responsible through the disciplinary proceeding. For students found responsible for sexual assault, the available sanctions are suspension (which may include additional requirements) and expulsion.

• The right to a range of options for providing statements or questioning parties in the hearing via alternative arrangements, including telephone/videoconferencing or using a room partition.

• The right to simultaneous written or electronic notification of the outcome of a conduct proceeding. This includes the decision, sanctions (if applicable), and the rationale for the decisions and sanctions.

• The right to ask questions of the hearing officers and ask questions indirectly via the hearing officers and request responses from other parties and witnesses present.

• The right to make an impact statement during the point of the proceeding where the hearing officers are deliberating on appropriate sanctions. The impact statement should be a typed document placed in a sealed envelope that is given to the Office of the Community Standards at the time of the hearing. The Procedural Officer will read the statement to the hearing officers at the time sanctioning is determined.

• The rights afforded to them in a hearing as outlined herein and in the Student Code of Conduct.

• The right to present evidence/information and testimony at a hearing.

• The right to understand how the hearing will proceed. For example, the parties that will be present, how the hearing will be scheduled, and the estimated time commitment of the hearing.

• The right to appeal the outcome of a disciplinary hearing to an appeal board which includes at least one faculty member, staff member, and student, is fair and impartial, and does not include any individuals with a conflict of interest.

• The right to have access to a full and fair record of the conduct hearing, which shall be preserved and maintained for a minimum of seven years. For access to the record, the Office of Community Standards should be contacted at (914) 251-6027 or at saf.conduct@purchase.edu to schedule an appointment during normal operating hours to review the record.

• The right to choose whether to disclose or discuss the outcome of a conduct hearing. Please note that the unreasonable sharing of private information with the intention to harm or embarrass another individual, or in a manner that would recklessly do so regardless of intent, could be viewed as retaliation and may result in separate charges under the Student Code of Conduct.

• The right to have all information obtained during the course of the discipline process be protected from public release until the appeal board makes a final determination, unless otherwise required by law.

Presentation of Information in a Hearing

The accused student(s)/respondent(s) and/or complainant(s)/reporting parties must submit any hearing information (i.e.: incident witnesses, character witness letters, etc.) via email at least two (2) business days in advance of the scheduled hearing. The Office of Community Standards will share any submitted information with accused student(s) and complainant(s) prior to the hearing as required by state and federal law. The Procedural Officer may exclude information that has not been shared, require a break for all parties to review the excluded information, or reschedule the hearing.

Hearing Outcome Notification

The accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties will receive simultaneous written or electronic notice of the findings, sanctions imposed, and rationales for each. This notice will also include information pertaining to the appeal procedures available. Accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties will be notified of the outcome of the hearing within ten (10) business days of the hearing, barring extenuating circumstances.

Appeal Process

The hearing outcome letter provided to accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties via their Purchase College email account will include information about the appeal process. The accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties can write a letter appealing the hearing outcome. For more information regarding the grounds for appeal and the appeal process, please see the appeal web page. 

The accused student(s)/respondent(s) and complainant(s)/reporting parties may also choose submit a statement of support of the hearing outcome.

The letter of appeal or support must be submitted within five (5) business days of receipt of the hearing finding letter.

Appeal Notification

An appeal finding letter will be sent simultaneously to the accused student(s) and the complainant(s) within ten (10) business days of the appeal board meeting.