II. Formal Complaints

1. All formal complaints will be referred to the Department of Student Affairs for investigation, mediation, and possible resolution. Any student, faculty member, staff member, vendor employee or College administrator may file a formal complaint against a student alleging a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.

   To be treated as a formal complaint, the complaint must be in writing and signed by the complainant. The complaint must pertain to an alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct that occurred within the last 30 days. Within five business days of receipt of the complaint, any student being investigated for an alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct will be sent a letter via certified mail to the address on file for the Student with Pasco-Hernando State College explaining the investigation process. 

2. After interviewing the accused student and all appropriate witnesses to the matter, and reviewing documentation and other evidence related to the matter, the Department of Student Affairs will take one of the following actions:
   1. Determine that no or insufficient grounds exist to believe that a violation occurred and dismiss the complaint or: 
   2. Determine that sufficient grounds exist to believe that a violation occurred and proceed. If the alleged violation is a Level I Offense (as described in DBOT Rule 6Hx19- 6.13), then the Department of Student Affairs will attempt to mediate a mutually agreeable resolution with the accused student, which may include the imposition of any or all Level I sanctions, subject to review and approval by the Campus Provost or:
   3. Determine that sufficient grounds exist to believe that the violation occurred and that the violation was a Level II or III Offense, and request appointment of a Disciplinary Committee to conduct a formal hearing of the complaint subject to the review and approval of the Campus Provost. Prepare a detailed report, including a summary of the complaint, the issues involved, the specific offenses alleged to have been violated, and a list of potential witnesses and other persons believed to have information about the complaint.
3. If the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
   1. was involved in the alleged violation or:
   2. has previously counseled the accused student or the complainant about the matter to the extent that it would be inappropriate for the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management to investigate or mediate the complaint, then an Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management from another campus will be appointed to handle the complaint.