What can I expect to happen at the hearing?

The hearing is a formal enquiry into the complaint. At the meeting, you will be asked to respond to the complaint. If you want, you can provide supporting information and this might include drafts of an assessment item, emails, study notes, medical certificates, police reports, and/or whatever is relevant to show what happened. Very occasionally the complainant may attend to answer any additional questions the authority may have.

When you have finished presenting your response and all questions have been answered, the authority will end. The authority will then make a decision about whether misconduct was committed and, if so, any penalties or outcomes to be imposed. Discipline hearings usually take between 10-30 minutes but can be longer if necessary.

Natural justice underlies all discipline processes and you have the right to see all evidence considered in relation to the complaint against you and to have that evidence considered by an impartial and unbiased authority.

You are welcome to ask for advice from a WSU support officer, Māori Mentors, a University staff member or a University International Student Advisor prior to the meeting.

May I bring someone to the hearing?

You can bring another person to the hearing; a support person or an adviser. More than one person may be allowed to attend with the Chairperson’s permission.

Support Person: Family member, friend, or classmate.

Advisor: Waikato Student Union (WSU) support officer or any member of your community you choose. For further information about the WSU student advocacy service visit the WSU website.

The Student Discipline Committee can provide an interpreter for Mandarin and Cantonese speakers. If you need one, please contact the Academic Integrity Advisor with enough time to arrange this. Speakers of other languages may bring someone to help them with translation if they wish.

What can I expect to happen after a hearing?

After the hearing has concluded, the authority will make a decision. That decision will be based on the information from the complainant, your submissions at the hearing and any further information that may be sought by the authority after the hearing.