When a student gets referred to the Central Disciplinary Committee, we understand how scary this can be. We want to give an overview of what a CDC hearing is, what happens during a hearing and what support we can offer at the Association. Know that you are not alone in this, our Student Advisors are here to provide support and advice and can attend the hearing on your behalf if you do not feel able to.
What is CDC?
A Central Disciplinary Committee hearing, or CDC, is when a panel gather to determine whether a student has committed Serious Academic or non-Academic Misconduct, and if so, what penalty is appropriate to apply. The panel is made up of a Chair, a Senior Academic, an Academic Related member of OU staff and two Student Representatives. The student under investigation has the option to attend the hearing themselves or have someone attend on their behalf, this could be one of our Student Advisors from the Individual Representation service. The hearing will go ahead regardless of whether the student or their representative is present. We always find that the students who engage with the university have more favourable outcomes.
What happens in a hearing?
The panel will meet virtually at the allocated time. If the student or representative is present, then introductions will be made. All members of the panel will have their cameras on, and it is up to the student as to whether they want to do the same. The panel will have read the case and the student’s explanation to how the offence occurred, along with any other relevant information, such as previous offences. The student can then add anything further to the panel to provide more context or offer further explanation. The panel will then have the opportunity to ask any questions of the student to get any clarification. Once the panel has no more questions, the student will be asked to leave the meeting, and the panel will then deliberate and agree on an outcome.
What support can we offer?
Our Individual Representation service offers support, advice and guidance for students who have been referred to the CDC. Our Student Advisors can:
This can be done over a video call, a phone call or email, whatever you feel most comfortable with. If a Student Advisor will be attending the hearing on your behalf, then they will need to have as much information as possible, so be open and honest with them. It is their role, as your representative, to understand your position and be able to provide your ’voice’ at the hearing.