Are you seeking to let someone know of a possible violation? If yes, please reach out to the Associate Director, Community Standards and Program Services (AD CS) to have a conversation and learn more about the process.

If there are allegations that you violated Community Values or policy, we will notify you as soon as practical unless it is determined that the claims are without merit or when there is the potential that evidence could be destroyed.

Have you been notified that we have reason to believe you have violated HBS Community Values or policies? You will meet with the AD CS who will share information about the allegations, the available details shared with us to date, your rights in and details about the process, as well as potential sanctions. Possible violations may be reported by a number of different sources including faculty, staff, students, members of the Harvard community, and the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD), among others.

A first step, for both the individual raising and student responding to a possible concern, will be to meet with a member of the MBA Program staff, ordinarily the AD CS, to provide information on what happened and answer any additional questions. Depending on the circumstances, we may interview others who have pertinent information. Based on what we learn, the chair of the MBA program and its executive director determine the severity of the infraction and whether the violation will be treated as minor or more serious.

In situations where the MBA Program determines that the situation involves special circumstances (e.g., a severe alleged violation or where the safety of the community is at risk), the responding student's activities may be limited, including withdrawal from the School until the matter is resolved.

For minor infractions, the chair of the MBA Program and its executive director determine the appropriate sanctions such as warning letters, temporary notations on student transcripts, probation, and community service. You have the right to appeal the Program’s decision to the chair of MBA Community Standards (CCS) if there is new evidence that was not considered in the original investigation or if you think the sanctions are too severe.

When a possible violation is determined to be more serious, it is referred to the Conduct Review Board (CRB). For cases involving allegations of sexual and gender-based harassment, Harvard University conducts this investigation (see Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy). In all other cases, the chair of MBA Community Standards (CCS) oversees the process, including the investigation. The information below addresses "you" as either the person raising the concern (complainant) or the individual responding to a possible violation (respondent). In some cases, such as plagiarism, the School may be the complainant.

1. Investigation

   The CRB process begins with a formal investigation. You may provide any evidence or names of witnesses with direct knowledge of the situation to the AD CS for consideration during the investigation. Based on the initial review and follow-up interviews with individuals who may have pertinent information, the AD CS will prepare an "Initial Fact-Finding Report" to share with you and the CRB.

   After receiving the Initial Report, you have the opportunity to submit a written response that will be shared with the CRB.
   
   

2. CRB Meeting

   The CRB meets in a closed session to review the Initial Report and written response(s), and then interviews you individually to ask any follow-up questions. When you attend your meeting with the CRB, you may bring one member of the HBS community for support as a non-speaking observer. Your meeting with the CRB usually does not take longer than an hour.

   The CRB may also ask others with knowledge of the situation, such as the chair of the MBA Program, to meet with the Board and answer questions.

   If the CRB receives information supporting further allegations against you (respondent) that were not previously disclosed, you will be informed and offered another opportunity to submit a written response or, at the discretion of the CRB, invited to another closed session to discuss the additional information.

   The CRB will vote to determine whether or not a violation occurred and what, if any, sanctions should be applied. The legal standard that the CRB adheres to is what lawyers call a “preponderance of evidence.” This means that the CRB will ask whether it is more likely than not that a student violated our values. This standard is weaker than “beyond a reasonable doubt,” with which you might be familiar. These decisions are made based on a majority vote, with the CCS voting only in the case of a tie.
   
   

3. CRB Determination & Sanctioning

   When it is determined that a violation occurred, the AD CS will share a "Draft Findings Report," describing the violation(s) and sanctions, with you on behalf of the CRB. You may submit a written response within three days that will be considered by the CRB as it deems appropriate. The CRB will then issue a "Final Determination Report" that states its conclusion on violations and any sanctions that should apply.

   The sanctions imposed by the CRB range from warnings to probation and suspension. The most severe sanctions – dismissals and expulsions – require a vote by the HBS faculty.
   
   

4. Appeal

   You have the right to appeal the CRB findings on two grounds: new evidence or the severity of the sanctions. Disagreement with the findings or decision of the CRB is not, by itself, grounds for appeal. The appeal is to the Dean and his/her decision is final. If the violations or sanctions are not upheld, the Dean will determine next steps or new sanctions.

The MBA Program and CRB will treat information it receives with appropriate sensitivity. In addition to the CRB members, the chair of the MBA Program and its executive director will receive copies of all reports. Students who are witnesses in an investigation are also asked to treat information appropriately and are given only the context and information needed so that they can answer the questions.

Throughout the disciplinary process appropriate HBS faculty and staff members, as well as other officers of Harvard including, and the University’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) may be informed of the case and its progress.

In a CRB case, ordinarily the findings and conclusions, any sanctions, and any non-public documents in the case file are not disclosed outside the Harvard University community without first providing notice to the respondent or as permitted by law.

The AD CS can answer any questions you have about confidentiality before you share information. If you are concerned about reporting and other members of the community finding out, you can also start by meeting with an ombudsperson who can offer confidential support and be a sounding board

It's not always easy to know what to do when you observe a possible violation of Community Values, Honor Code, or policy. You may wonder if what you saw was actually a violation or if someone will retaliate against you for reporting. Retaliation is, in itself, a violation of our Community Values.

As a member of our community who shares in our values, we encourage you to do something - but you have choices, ranging from sharing the information with the AD CS to confronting the student directly.

The AD CS will offer you information on how information is treated at the beginning of your first meeting, and you can ask questions before sharing details. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially first, you can reach out to an ombudsperson who can offer support and be a sounding board.

The two primary HBS sources of support are ombudspersons and MBA Support Services. MBA Support Services can also refer you to resources available outside of Harvard.

Ombudspersons
The ombudsperson is a neutral and confidential third party, who can support you in the following ways if you are involved in a disciplinary process:

• help you understand the disciplinary process and the options available
• provide a sounding board as you consider and develop your response

MBA Support Services
The MBA Support Services team provides support, coaching, counseling, and advising to HBS students facing a wide range of challenges, including the disciplinary process.

Cases are ordinarily considered as quickly as is reasonably possible, given the need to investigate matters carefully. The length of the process depends on the number of interviews and scheduling availability. When possible, minor cases are typically handled within a week.

If the case is referred to the CRB, the AD CS will work to schedule the meeting at the earliest possible date given member availability. The CRB typically does not meet during the summer.

The CRB is comprised of three faculty (including the CCS), three students, and one senior staff member who meet to hear a case. The individuals who serve in these roles may change from case to case as we have more members than needed for each case; this allows us to avoid conflicts and schedule as quickly as possible. Students that serve on a Board may include RC, EC, Doctoral, and joint degree students.

The following individuals oversee or have roles in the formal HBS disciplinary process:

Chair, MBA Community Standards (CCS)
Professor Raffaella Sadun, 617-495-6190, rsadun@hbs.edu

• Oversees the Community Values Program
• Oversees the disciplinary process, including:

• managing the work of the associate director, Community Standards and Program Services (AD CS) as it relates to the CRB
• serving as chair of the Conduct Review Board.
  
  

Associate Director, Community Standards and Program Services (AD CS)
Benjamin Longstreth, 617-495-7635, blongstreth@hbs.edu

• Serves as initial contact regarding student violations
• Manages information for the CCS and CRB
• Monitors student compliance with sanctions and petitions to return to HBS