Staff Roles in Student Adjudication Hearings
Student adjudication hearing processes are managed by a Hearing Coordinator and a Hearing Officer. On this page, you’ll find information about these two roles and the individuals who serve in them.
What is the role of the Hearing Coordinator?
Both the University of California Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Student Investigation and Adjudication Framework (PACAOS Appendix E) and the University of California Interim Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Student Investigation and Adjudication Framework for DOE Covered Conduct (PACAOS Appendix F) state "each hearing will have a hearing coordinator, distinct from the hearing officer, who will manage the administrative and procedural aspects of the hearing."
What is the role of the Hearing Officer?
Both the University of California Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Student Investigation and Adjudication Framework (PACAOS Appendix E) and the University of California Interim Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Student Investigation and Adjudication Framework for DOE Covered Conduct (PACAOS Appendix F) state "the hearing officer may be a University employee or outside contractor. Regardless, they will be appropriately trained, with such training coordinated by the Title IX Officer."
How are the Hearing Coordinator and Hearing Officer different?
The Hearing Coordinator |
The Hearing Officer |
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The Hearing Coordinator does not determine whether a policy has been violated. |
The Hearing Officer reviews all information, evidence, and statements to determine whether a policy has been violated. |
The Hearing Coordinator serves as a University connection point for students throughout the pre-hearing and hearing process. |
The Hearing Officer generally only has contact with parties during pre-hearing meetings and the hearing. |
The Hearing Coordinator gathers availability, schedules the hearing, facilitates the exchange of materials, arranges any requested accommodations, and distributes the outcome after the hearing. |
The Hearing Officer reviews materials, facilitates the hearing, and makes a determination on disputed facts and whether a policy was violated. |
The Hearing Coordinator can help students get connected with resources to support them throughout the pre-hearing and hearing process. |
The Hearing Officer is not able to connect students with resources during the pre-hearing and hearing process. |
The Hearing Coordinator can answer procedural questions throughout the pre-hearing and hearing process. |
The Hearing Officer may answer some questions before the hearing posed by the parties if they are submitted via the Hearing Coordinator. |
The Hearing Coordinator relays communication to and from the Hearing Officer if there are questions for the Hearing Officer ahead of the hearing. |
The Hearing Officer does not communicate directly with the parties before the hearing. |