Requirements: Number of Players (5+ Players); Playing Time (1-2 Hours); Age (17+)

Miami University’s Office of Community Standards works to encourage students growth and development of integrity and personal responsibility. As such, the Office of Community Standards has created a hearing process to serve as the medium. One portion of the hearing process is the Community Standards Board, a board of individuals of the Miami community. You are a member of this Board and your role is to serve as an adjudicator in regard to violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

Objective: As a serving member of the Board, your objective is to work with the other sitting members, discuss the evidence surrounding a potential violation of the Code of Conduct as well as the alleged violator’s response, and come to a decision on whether or not the alleged violator is responsible, or not responsible, for the violation. If found responsible, the Board must then come to a decision on the appropriate sanctions that should be placed on the violator. 

Components

• Three (3) Board Members
  • One (1) Student Member, and two (2) Faculty Members
  • These are the Board Members who will be voting whether the Alleged Violator is responsible or not responsible for the violation of the Code of Conduct
• One (1) Community Standards Representative
  • This is a representative of the Office of the Community Standards. Their role is to assist the Board Members with any questions they have about school policies, as well as, provide information to the Board Members about past violations committed by the Alleged Violator. Additionally, if the Alleged Violator is found “Responsible,” then this individual will provide the Office of Community Standards recommendations for sanctioning. 
    • The purpose of sanctions is to assist students in reflection and undergoing responsibility of their behavior. Sanctions can include probation, failed class, monetary payment, suspension, etc. Finally, the Community Standards Representative ensures that all rules of the game are being observed and followed.
• At least one (1+) Alleged Violator of the Code of Conduct
  • This is the individual who came to the Board under the accusation of violating Miami University’s Student Code of Conduct. Their role is to explain the situation at hand. In layman’s terms, the Violator is roughly similar to the defendant in a criminal trial. 
• (Optional) Complainant
  • The Complainant is the individual who has brought the alleged violation to the Community Standards Board and will speak against the Alleged Violator. In layman’s terms, the Complainant is roughly similar to the plaintiff in a criminal trial. 
• (Optional) Witnesses
  • Both the Community Standards Board and the Alleged Violator have the option to bring with them witnesses who have directly witnessed alleged violation. 
• Miami University’s Student Code of Conduct
  • The Code of Student Conduct outlines the rights and responsibilities of students, behaviors prohibited on and off campus, possible sanctions, and the procedural rights of students and student organizations.
• One (1) Voice Recorder
• Three (3) Legal Notepads 
• Three (3) Pens

Setup

1. Board Members arrive and set up the room for the Hearing.
   • The Three Board Members were given case materials which included police/residence life/academic reports regarding the potential violation the day prior to the Hearing.
     • The information given can only be related to the alleged violation, and nothing more. 
   • The Board Members then choose one member to act as the “Leading Member”
     • The Leading Member will act as the voice of the Board and will give the Opening/Closing instructions and will be in charge of recording the Hearing as dictated by the Student Code of Conduct. 
       • The Student Member of the Board cannot be the Leading Member.
   • Once the Board Members are ready to begin, the Community Standards Representative will bring in the Alleged Violator and the Complaintant. 
   • The Leading Member will then read the instructions of how the Hearing Process will play out. Additionally, the Leading Member will ask the Alleged Violator and Complainant if the makeup of the Board is acceptable. 
     • Unacceptable conditions include: 
       • A Board Member has a clear and negative bias towards the Alleged Violator/Complainant.
       • A Board Member has a clear and positive bias towards the Alleged Violator/Complainant.
       • A Board Member holds an outside position of authority over the Alleged Violator/Complainant. (i.e. Resident Assistant, Employer, Professor etc.)
       • The Board Member feels that they cannot adjudicate neutrally.
     • The Alleged Violator/Complainant can only say the Board is unacceptable if and only if it meets the above unacceptable conditions.
   • Once the Board Members have been decided, and all questions have been adequately answered, the Hearing Process begins.

Hearing Process (How to Play)

The Hearing Process consists of a series of rounds. These include Opening Statements for the Alleged Violator/Complainant, Questioning of the Alleged Violator/Complainant’s witnesses, Questioning of the Alleged Violator/Complainant, the Closing Statements of the Alleged Violator/Complainant, and Finally the Board’s Finding of “Responsible/Not Responsible” and Sanctioning. 

Hearing Process

• The Hearing Process consists of a series of rounds. 
  • (1) The Opening Statement of the Alleged Violator.
  • (2) If the Alleged Violator has brought witnesses, then the Board will hear from the first Witness. If not, then the Board will begin the questioning phase of the Alleged Violator. 
    • (2a) If the Alleged Violator has brought a witness, the witness will then have the chance to speak their perspective regarding the alleged violation. 
    • (2b) The Alleged Violator has the option to question the witness. 
    • (2c) If there is a Complainant, the complainant has the chance to question the witness. If there is no Complainant, or else after the Complainant has asked their questions, then the Board has the option to question the witness. 
    • (2d) This process repeats until all of the Alleged Violator’s witnesses have been questioned.
  • (3) If there is a Complainant, the complainant has the chance to question the Alleged Violator. If there is no Complainant, or else after the Complainant has asked their questions, then the Board has the option to question the Alleged Violator. 
  • (4) The Opening Statement of the Complainant (If there is a Complainant). 
  • (5) If the Complainant has brought witnesses, then the Board will hear from the first Witness. If not, then the Board will begin the questioning phase of the Complainant. 
    • (5a) If the Complainant has brought a witness, the witness will then have the chance to speak their perspective regarding the alleged violation. 
    • (5b) The Complainant has the option to question the witness. 
    • (5c) Once finished the Alleged Violator has had the chance to question the witness. After the Alleged Violator has asked their questions, then the Board has the option to question the witness. 
    • (5d) This process repeats until all of the Complainant’s witnesses have been questioned. 
  • (6) The Alleged Violator then has the chance to question the Complainant. If there is no Complainant.
    • If there is no Complainant, then the Board transitions to the Closing Statement of the Alleged Violator.
  • (7) The Closing Statement of the Alleged Violator. 
  • (8) The Closing Statement of the Complainant. (If there is one)
  • (9) The Alleged Violator and the Complainant leave the game. 
  • (10) The Board privately discusses the evidence of the case and comes to a unanimous decision. 
  • (11) If the Board finds “Not Responsible,” then the Hearing Process is Finished. 
  • (12) If the Board finds “Responsible,” then the Board enters the Sanctions phase. (13) The Sanction Phase begins with the Community Standards Representative providing information on past violations committed by the Violator, and offers the Community Standards recommendations on sanctions. 
  • (14) Utilizing the information given, and the severity of the violation, the Board will come to a unanimous decision on the sanction that should be given. 
  • (15) Once the sanction has been voted on the Hearing Process is Finished. 

Description of Player Actions

• Community Standards Board
  • The Board controls the flow of the Hearing Process and decides when to transition to the next series of events.
  • The Board has the ability to ask questions to all those involved in the Hearing Process
  • The Board is charged with the duty to come to a unanimous decision on whether or not the Alleged Violator is responsible for the alleged violation.
    • If held responsible, then the Board must come to a unanimous decision on the sanctions that will be placed on the student.
• Leading Board Member
  • The Leading Board Member is in charge of moderating the Hearing.
  • The Leading Board Member has all the powers of a regular Board Member, but cannot vote.
• Alleged Violator
  • The Alleged Violator may bring Witnesses on his behalf and question them
  • If there are witnesses against the Alleged Violator, then the Alleged Violator may question that witness.
  • The Alleged Violator has the ability to make an Opening/Closing Statement
• Complainant
  • The Complainant may bring Witnesses on his behalf and question them
  • If there are witnesses against the Complainant, then the Complainant may question that witness.
  • The Complainant has the ability to make an Opening/Closing Statement
• Witnesses
  • Witnesses must answer the questions presented to them
  • Witnesses cannot ask questions
• Office of Community Standards Representative
  • Ensures rules are being followed.
  • Answers any procedural questions raised
  • Provides information the the Board Members
  • Does not Vote on the Hearing

End of the Hearing/Game

The Hearing is over when the Board has made their final decisions regarding the responsibility and Sanctions of the Alleged Violator. 

Winning the Game

As a Board Member, you “win” the game so long as you, and the other Board Members come to an appropriate decision. As the Alleged Violator/Complainant, you “win” the game if the decision the Board comes too is in favor of your position.

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Things to Keep in Mind/Hidden Rules

1. While it is not clearly stated, this is an official hearing with significant impacts on student wellness. Thus, it should be treated in a professional decorum
   1. For example, rudeness, inappropriate, and child-like behavior will result in you being ejected from the game.
      1. This can include not following the rules of the game, deliberately delaying the Hearing, behaving in a violent or menacing manner, falsifying information etc.
      2. All players are subject to this rule.
   2. Additionally, as this is a professional space, the Board Members must dress in business-casual/professional attire. 
      1. It should be noted that, as time has progressed the dress code has become more lenient. 
   3. As a Student Board Member one must attend outside events that target professional development.