Glossary of terms
Conduct Administrator (CA): The DoS/VPSA, applicable dean(s) and/or designee. The CA will develop procedural rules for the administration of the conduct process that are consistent with this process. Material deviation from these rules will, generally, only be made with reasonable notice to the parties involved. The CA may vary procedures with notice where the CA determines that the circumstances make such action necessary or advisable (for example, upon determining that changes to law or regulation require policy or procedural alterations not reflected in this process). The CA may, at any time, make minor modifications to procedure that do not materially jeopardize the fairness owed to any party. Questions of interpretation of the applicable rules or procedures may be referred to the DoS/VPSA who will have discretionary authority to resolve any disputed or ambiguous terms and whose interpretation is final.
Reporting Individual (RI): The Reporting Individual is the person alleging a violation of the Code of Social Conduct or the Honor Code. In certain cases, the CA acts as the Reporting Individual on behalf of the College. For example, the College may pursue a violation of the Honor Code or Code of Social Conduct in response to an anonymous complaint.
Harmed Party: The CA may invite, as feasible and subject to confidentiality restrictions under applicable law, anyone allegedly harmfully impacted by a violation. A Harmed Party may also be a Reporting Individual. Harmed Parties may be asked to specify how they have been harmed and for any ideas they may have for how the Responding Student can repair the harm and rebuild trust.
Responding Student (RS): The student accused of violating the Honor Code or Code of Social Conduct.
Witness: An individual who either, in-person or in writing, can provide the Conduct Administrator or appropriate resolution body with a firsthand account of the incident in question. Witnesses cannot serve the purpose of defending the character of any involved party and must have factual knowledge of the incident.
Advisor: Both the Reporting Individual and Responding Student have the right to one advisor of their own choosing. For all cases not involving a violation of the Title IX Policy or Enough is Enough Policy, the advisor must be a member of the Skidmore community (student, faculty or staff), unless otherwise allowed by the Conduct Administrator. The advisor has a limited speaking role and may not make a presentation or otherwise represent the Reporting Individual or Responding Student in the conduct process; it is expected that Reporting Individuals and Responding Students will speak for themselves. The advisor will be permitted to confer quietly with the student they are working with. Any individual who is a Responding Student, Witness, or Reporting Individual in the same matter may not serve as an advisor to any party.
Good Social Standing: A student is in good social standing when they do not have any record of misconduct with the College, or they have a record of misconduct that resulted in a status sanction of a warning. Students are not in good social standing when they are on disciplinary probation, or are currently suspended, or have been expelled from the institution. Students are also not in good social standing if they have incomplete overdue sanctions resulting from a student conduct violation.