Information presented below provides a brief summary of OSARP processes. To access the full, accurate, and current versions of our policies and processes, refer to the JMU Student Handbook:

• Standards of Conduct and Policies
• Determining/Notification of an Alleged Violation
• Administrative Case Review
• Accountability Board Case Review
• Interim Suspension Process
• Sexual Misconduct Accountability Process
• Title IX Sexual Harassment Adjudication Process

Every OSARP process will provide a prompt, fair, impartial, and unbiased resolution. A Responding Party has the right to a presumption of not responsible for a violation until proven responsible using a preponderance of the evidence in the Accountability Process, Sexual Misconduct Accountability Process, or Title IX Sexual Harrassment Adjudication Process. For more information regarding student rights in these processes, please use the above links.

OSARP approaches student conduct from an educational, developmental, and restorative perspective. Inherent in the University’s accountability process is the commitment to serve, equally, all involved parties in an unbiased and fair manner. It is important to every staff member in OSARP that a student feels their perspective is heard and incorporated into the decision-making process. We want our processes to feel accessible and transparent not scary and intimidating.

From data obtained during the 2022-2023 academic year, students reported the following:

• 93% of students describe their experience as expected or better than expected
• 93% of students describe their experience as fair
• 97% of students found responsible for a policy violation received education
• Top three words student use to describe their experience in OSARP:
  • Conversation, Education, Accountability
• Top three words student would NOT use to describe their experience in OSARP:
  • Negative, Uncomfortable, Condescending
• Student comments:
  • “I was met with respect and fairness during my meeting. The person responding to may case was very understanding, kind, and made a decision in an impartial manner.”
  • "My experience with OSARP was excellent, everything was explained clearly and with fairness.”
  • “The case administrator explained my rights and took the time to hear my perspective as well as other perspectives before making an unbiased decision.”

*Based on 535 total responses to an assessment completed after an Administrative Case Review

Upon receiving relevant details of an alleged violation(s), OSARP will determine whether there are grounds for notification of an alleged violation(s) and the initiation of the Accountability Process or Sexual Misconduct Accountability Process, or Title IX Sexual Harassment Adjudication Process. 

If the information produced provides sufficient cause that an alleged violation(s) may have occurred, the Responding Party will be notified of the alleged policy violation(s). In accordance with JMU Policy 1209, proper notification of an alleged policy violation(s) shall consist of an email to the student’s official JMU e-mail address. The notice will be considered received the day after the notice is sent via email.

The email notification will include details about the alleged violation(s), information about the applicable Case Review process, student Rights and Responsibilities in the process, and the Case Administrator who will adjudicate your case (for Administrative Case Reviews). Students are encouraged to read this email thoroughly and follow the directions within to contact our office with questions.

The notification email will also include information about the date, time, and location of the Administrative Case Review, which is set based on the academic schedule of the Responding Party. Appointments will typically occur in person in the OSARP offices, but may occur virtually as determined by OSARP. The notification email will also include links to the Student Handbook for information about the Responsibilities and Rights in the Accountability Process. Should a student fail to attend the Administrative Case Review, they waive their right to reject the decision in their case. 

If you choose to attend the Administrative Case Review:

• Your Case Administrator will explain the Accountability Process, your rights as a student, and review information provided to OSARP regarding the alleged violation(s).
• You will be provided the opportunity to share any information you wish to share regarding the alleged violation(s). Please have this prepared and bring it to your Administrative Case Review.
• The Accountability Process will determine whether or not the alleged policy violation(s) were violated, evaluating the totality of the information available by a preponderance of the evidence.
• You will be notified of the decision being made in your case, whether you are responsible or not responsible for each policy listed above, and any assigned sanctions to be completed (if applicable).
• If found responsible, the Responding Party may indicate their acceptance to the Case Administrator and make a commitment to complete any required sanctions.
  • Failure to complete, schedule, attend, or be on time for programs/meetings, failing to complete related assignments, or failing to follow program expectations may result in a $50 fine per program/meeting not completed by the deadline and a student account hold, which prevents class registration and is typically only removed once outstanding sanction(s) are verified as completed by OSARP. Repeated failure may result in an alleged policy violation of Failure to Comply with a Disciplinary Outcome.
• The Responding Party may also choose to reject the decision and request a re-hearing of the case at an Accountability Board Case Review. Students who reject the decision made by their Case Administrator will be scheduled for an advising session to go over that process and those procedures.

If you fail to attend the Administrative Case Review:

• Your Case Administrator will make a decision in the case based solely on the information in OSARP’s possession, which may include any follow up with witnesses.
• You will be notified of the decision in your case via email. This email will provide the finding(s) on alleged policy violation(s) and any sanctions along with applicable instructions and deadlines for sanction completion.
  • Failure to complete, schedule, attend, or be on time for programs/meetings, failing to complete related assignments, or failing to follow program expectations may result in a $50 fine per program/meeting not completed by the deadline and a student account hold, which prevents class registration and is typically only removed once outstanding sanction(s) are verified as completed by OSARP. Repeated failure may result in an alleged policy violation of Failure to Comply with a Disciplinary Outcome.
• If you fail to attend the Administrative Case Review, you waive your right to reject the decision made in your absence.
  • In necessary or extreme circumstances, as determined by the Director of OSARP or designee, the Responding Party may request the Administrative Case Review be rescheduled; this request must be communicated to OSARP as soon as practicable.
• Additional information is available in the JMU Student Handbook for students who fail to attend their Administrative Case Review.

For more information on an Administrative Case Review, see the video below.  

To learn more about the Accountability Board Case Review process, visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of this website or the JMU Student Handbook.

The Responding Party will also be informed of the process and procedures during their advising session, which is scheduled after rejecting the decision made by their Case Administrator at the Administrative Case Review.

If the Director of OSARP or a designee determines that a student presents a risk to the orderly operation of the university or to the safety and welfare of members of the university community, the Director of OSARP or designee may initiate the Interim Suspension Process and place the Responding Party under an Interim Suspension Status.

To learn more about the Interim Suspension Process, visit the JMU Student Handbook.

The Sexual Misconduct Accountability Process is the process used to adjudicate alleged violations of the Sexual Misconduct policy.

To learn more about the Sexual Misconduct Accountability Process, visit the JMU Student Handbook.

The Title IX Sexual Harassment Adjudication Process is the process used to adjudicate alleged violations of the Title IX Sexual Harassment policy.

To learn more about the Title IX Sexual Harassment Adjudication Process, visit the JMU Student Handbook.