Merits Hearing

Understanding the Merits Hearing: What It Is and What to Expect

A merits hearing deals with the allegations against you. The two parties (i.e., you and the College) present their evidence, and each makes arguments to convince the panel about what is the right decision and why. The panel, after listening carefully and considering everything the parties present, decides whether the College has proven on a balance of probabilities the allegations against you. This is called the merits decision. Written reasons for the merits decision are usually sent to the parties and released to the public within 12 weeks of the merits hearing. 

As described under Hearing Types and Exploring Settlement Options at CMCs, a merits hearing can be contested, uncontested, or partially contested. In a contested hearing, you deny the allegations and the College must prove them. In an uncontested hearing, you admit to the allegations or agree not to dispute them. A partially contested hearing is when there is agreement on some issues—such as the facts or finding of misconduct—but disagreement about others, often the penalty.

Uncontested or partially contested hearings usually take a day or less. Contested hearings can take from one day to many weeks.