Spring Break
Willis awaits University investigation
Mark Norris, Managing Editor, mnorris@smu.edu
Issue date: 10/11/06 Section: News
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The staff of Dean of Student Life Dee Siscoe is currently evaluating the case involving Willis and Beard.
Siscoe said she could not give any idea of how fast cases are considered, but that "all cases are dealt with in a timely manner."
Football coach Phil Bennett said Tuesday, "We support Justin, we care about him…we know the situation. I hope at some point that we get the situation resolved."
Dallas Police were called to the scene and are conducting a separate investigation.
SMU Athletics officials are waiting for the result of the university investigation before making a decision on Willis' status with the team.
Siscoe would not comment on the Willis case specifically, citing FERPA and HIPPA regulations, but did describe the process that takes place.
She said her office handles 1400 cases each school year ranging from alcohol violations to thefts to drug cases.
She said the first step is for her office to talk with the witnesses of an incident, the accused and the accuser and each of the parties separately, so adjudicators have an idea of the parameters of the hearing.
There are two types of hearings - a hearing board, which is likely to be used in the Willis case, and an administrative hearing.
The hearing board is used for incidents with multiple parties and serious allegations. It consists of three students, one faculty member and one staff member. Siscoe said there is a pool for each of the positions and that every member has been trained in the judicial hearing process.
The next step is the actual hearing where the hearing board, the parties involved and the witnesses meet. The hearings are confidential, and no information is supposed to be divulged over what is said during the process.
The hearing board and the two parties involved are allowed to question the witnesses.
The accused and the accuser are allowed to give closing statements, and then the hearing board considers the case. If the board decides there is a code of conduct violation, then it will consider possible penalties.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
tedkennedy
posted 10/11/06 @ 2:07 PM CST
Ah, daddy, are we living vicariously through the boy? Only one of you is attending college, yet you refer to him as "We." Daddy, you a butthole.
Tim
posted 10/11/06 @ 2:35 PM CST
I dont expect to see Willis return for some time. SMU's Department of Student Life is a CROCK and will take their sweet time with this case. The fact that Dee Sisco is even involved in this case is a joke. (Continued…)
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