Investigations

Initial report submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee (Department of Student Community Standards) for review and recommendation for investigation.

At least two investigators are appointed by the Department of Student Community Standards to serve as fact gatherers.

Students are notified via their Texas A&M University email and/or phone by investigators when they are being called in for an investigation interview. In cases where a student organization is being investigated, the chief student leader and the organization’s advisor will be notified of the investigation prior to interviews taking place.

Students who are called in for an investigation interview have been identified as someone who may have been involved in, witnessed, or have additional knowledge related to the reported incident.

Students are required to meet with investigators in accordance with the Texas A&M Student Rules (Student Rule 24.4.23 Abuse of Process).  Students are not allowed to have an advisor or any other individual present with them during their investigation interview.  While students are required to appear for the investigation interview, students will have the option to not to participate or answer questions.

It should be noted that digital or other recordings of investigation interviews are not permitted and failure to abide by this requirement may result in conduct action (Student Rule 24.4.18 Unauthorized Recording).  Additionally, disruption or interference with an investigation, initiating a false report, attempting to discourage another’s participation in the investigation, and/or intimidation or retaliation are prohibited by the Texas A&M University Student Rules (Student Rule 24.4.3 Abuse of Process).

At the start of the interview, investigators will review the investigation process with students, including their options for participation in the investigation. Students will be given an option to move forward with the investigation by answering questions, or to not move forward by not answering questions.

If a student chooses to participate in their interview, they will have the opportunity to answer a series of questions regarding any knowledge or information they may have in relation to the incident.  Students may elect not to answer certain questions, which would be recorded in the notes taken by investigators.

Students who choose to respond to questions asked by investigators during their interview have an obligation to respond truthfully as stated in the University Student Rules (Student Rules 24.4.1 Dishonesty and 24.4.23 Abuse of Process) and supported by the Aggie Honor Code, “An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do”.

After the interview, the student will be asked to review, correct as needed, and sign off on the notes taken by the investigators during the interview.

Regardless of students’ participation during their interview, the student will have the option to provide a written statement and/or any supporting documentation to be included in the Investigation Report.  The investigators will provide the student with a designated deadline for these items.

Retaliation is prohibited against the reporting party or against anyone who participates in the process (Student Rule 24.4.23 Abuse of Process).  If a student experiences any kind of retaliation or intimidation, please report it as soon as possible to investigators and/or the Student Conduct Office.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the investigators will write and compile a report of the information gathered during the interviews. The Investigation Report is then submitted to the Student Conduct Office and Student Organization Accountability (when applicable). During the investigation process, the interviewed student will not be provided access to the report/complaint.

Staff members in the Student Conduct Office and Student Organization Accountability (when applicable) review the final Investigation Report and determine if there is sufficient information to charge a student and/or student organization with an alleged violation The individual student(s) and/or the student organization will be notified via their Texas A&M University email if they are being charged with any rule violations.  The charged student(s) and/or designated representatives of a student organization charged will then be given reasonable access to relevant portions of the investigation, which may include the completed investigation report.