Oberlin College & Conservatory

Definition of Terms

1. The term "college" means Oberlin College, including the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music.
2. For the purposes of the Oberlin College Judicial System, a "student" is defined as an individual who has been offered–and has accepted–the opportunity to enroll in regular credit-bearing Oberlin College courses. Students who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but are participating in study abroad or domestic exchange programs, or who are on leave from the college, remain subject to the college's judicial system.
3. The term "faculty member" means any person hired by the college to conduct classroom activities and college officials who are eligible for appointment to General Faculty committees according to the regular General Faculty appointment process.
4. The term "college official" includes any person employed by the college, performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
5. The term "staff member" means any person employed by the college.
6. The term "member of the college community" includes any person who is a student, faculty or staff member, college official, or any other person employed by the college. A person's status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Office of the President, the Dean of the College, the Dean of the Conservatory, or the Dean of Students.
7. The term "business day" ordinarily refers to a weekday (Monday through Friday) during those weeks in which the college is in session, excluding vacations.
8. The term "college property" includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by Oberlin College (including adjacent streets and sidewalks). This definition shall not be interpreted to infringe on any appropriately recognized jurisdiction of the Oberlin City Police or other law enforcement officials.
9. The term "organization" means any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for college recognition as a campus organization.
10. The term "Judicial Board" means the group of individuals appointed by the Student Senate and authorized by the college to determine whether a student has violated the rules and regulations and to impose sanctions.
11. The term "Community Board" means the group of individuals authorized by the college to hear defined categories of cases and to review cases heard by the Judicial Board.
12. The term "review" refers to the process of reviewing a hearing upon request, and determining if a new hearing shall be granted. The term "review" is synonymous to the term "appeal."
13. The term "advisor" refers to a person assisting the complainant or respondent at a formal hearing. This person must be a member of the Oberlin College community (staff, faculty member, or student).
14. The term "shall" is used in the imperative sense.
15. The term "may" is used in the permissive sense.
16. The term "judicial coordinator" is (a) person(s) designated by the Dean of Students to be responsible for the administration of the overall judicial system and the rules and regulations thereof.
17. The term "policy" is defined as a written regulation of the college as outlined in, but not limited to, the published rules and regulations.
18. The term "complainant" refers to the individual(s) initiating a complaint under the rules and regulations.
19. The term "charge" refers to formal action taken by the judicial coordinator on behalf of the college. A charge is made when alleged behavior constitutes a violation of the code of conduct.
20. The term "respondent" refers to the person(s) or group cited in the complaint who is (are) alleged to have violated the rules and regulations.
21. The term "victim" refers to the individual(s) who has been harmed by the alleged offense.
22. The term "complaint form" means a written statement of the provisions of the rules and regulations alleged to be violated and the factual circumstances surrounding the alleged violation.
23. The term "written" means any written material including electronic correspondence.
24. The term "complaint" refers to a formal allegation presented to the judicial coordinator by a member of the college.