Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice is a model of student conduct that is focused around the idea of repairing harm and rebuilding the Keuka Community's trust in the Respondent. Restorative Justice includes input from Respondents, victims, and community members in building outcomes to heal communities. It challenges the Respondent to have a better understanding of their communal impact and responsibilities, and it hopes to take positive steps towards improving the community.
Restorative Justice can be a useful tool for bringing our community back together. It is not appropriate for all violations of the Student Code of Community Standards. No incidents of dating violence, domestic violence, discriminatory or bias related harassment, or sexual violence will be considered for Restorative Justice.
If a student wishes to employ Restorative Justice at Keuka College, that student must:
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Make an appointment and speak with the Director of Community Standards & Student Intervention.
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If the Director decides that the incident can employ Restorative Justice, they will reach out to the other involved parties. No one should feel compelled to participate. Restorative Justice is a voluntary process.
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If all parties agree to employ Restorative Justice, the Director will assign Restorative Justice facilitators and arrange a Restorative Justice Circle.
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All parties may bring a support person to the Restorative Justice Circle. A limited number of affected community members may also be invited.
The Restorative Justice Circle has an expectation of confidentiality, so that everyone can share their thoughts, feelings, hopes, and expectations. Everyone will have an opportunity to speak.
If the Restorative Justice Circle can come to an amenable agreement and outcome, it will be submitted to the Director for approval. If the Restorative Justice Circle cannot reach an amenable agreement and outcome, the case will be resubmitted to the Director and the formal Community Standards process will resume.
If the Director approves the agreement reached by the Restorative Justice Circle, then the incident will not be adjudicated through the formal conduct process. The incident will be considered resolved, and will not enter the formal student record for the Respondent.
If the Respondent commits the same violation again, Restorative Justice will not be considered. If the Respondent is found responsible, the incident will be treated as a second violation, regardless of the outcome of the Restorative Justice Circle.