The MBA disciplinary process reflects and safeguards the HBS Community Values. It is designed to be fair and transparent to all students involved. MBA Program leadership, in consultation with the Chair of MBA Community Standards, may modify the disciplinary process as circumstances require. Students should familiarize themselves with the General Statement of Conduct in addition to the process described below.

Jurisdiction

Allegations of minor infractions will be handled by the MBA Program leadership. All other allegations ordinarily will be handled by the Conduct Review Board (CRB); separate procedures apply for allegations under the Sexual Harassment or Other Sexual Misconduct policies and the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying policies, as reflected in those sections of the Handbook. Students enrolled in a joint degree program also should refer to any disciplinary process details included in their respective joint-degree handbook section(s).

Notification of Possible Violation

Students who wish to report possible violations of the HBS Community Values, MBA Honor Code, or another HBS policy should contact the Associate Director, Community Standards and Program Services in the MBA Program Office. Possible violations also may be reported by a number of different sources including, for example: faculty, staff, students, other members of the Harvard community, and the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD). Once possible violations have been reported, the Associate Director or designee will serve as the administrator for the report (the Administrator); gathering information regarding the concern. This process may include meeting with the reporter and/or consulting with faculty, staff, or other individuals with relevant information.

Students who potentially violate the HBS Community Values, MBA Honor Code, or another HBS policy will be notified promptly unless the claims are found to be without merit or there are concerns about the potential loss or destruction of relevant information.

Initial Review of Possible Violation

As a first step, the student against whom claims have been brought ordinarily will meet with the Administrator to discuss the allegations, learn about the disciplinary process, and answer any additional questions. Depending on the circumstances, the MBA Program staff may interview others who potentially have pertinent information. Based on what is learned, the MBA Program Chair and a representative from MBA Program leadership, then will determine whether it will be handled by the MBA Program leadership or by the Conduct Review Board.

At the discretion of the MBA Program, under certain circumstances a student's activities at the School may be limited or suspended until the matter is resolved, up to and including placement on an involuntary leave of absence, as set forth in Section 1.11.

Minor Infractions

For minor infractions, the MBA Program Chair and a representative from MBA Program leadership will determine the appropriate sanctions such as warning letters, temporary notations on student transcripts, probation, and community service. A student has the right to appeal the Program’s decision to the Chair of MBA Community Standards (CCS) if there is new evidence that could not have been presented during the original investigation.

All Other Allegations

Cases involving allegations of sexual and gender-based harassment are handled in accordance with the University’s Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policies. Cases involving allegations of discrimination and bullying are handled in accordance with the University’s Discrimination and Anti-Bullying Policies. In all other cases, the Chair of MBA Community Standards (CCS) oversees the process, including the investigation. In the steps outlined below, the person raising the allegation is the complainant and the person against whom the allegations are brought is the respondent. When circumstances warrant, for example, in some plagiarism cases, the School may be the complainant.

  1. Investigation
    The CRB process begins with a formal investigation. The respondent and complainant (if applicable) may provide any relevant information or names of witnesses with direct knowledge of the situation. General character witnesses are not permitted. The Administrator then may act as a fact-finder or may appoint one or more people to serve as fact-finders. Fact-finders may be Harvard administrators or faculty members drawn from Harvard Business School or elsewhere. Fact-finders also may be independent contractors engaged by Harvard. Based on the initial review and follow-up interviews with individuals who may have pertinent information, the fact-finder will prepare an "Initial Fact-Finding Report" to share with the respondent and the CRB. After receiving the Initial Report, the respondent will 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 the respondent individually to ask any follow-up questions. Respondents may bring to the meeting with the CRB one member of the HBS community for support as a non-speaking observer.

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

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

    The CRB will vote to determine whether a violation occurred and what sanctions, if any, should be applied. The CRB applies a “preponderance of evidence” standard, meaning that the CRB will decide whether it is more likely than not that the respondent violated the School’s policies. The CRB’s decisions are based on a majority vote, with the Chair of MBA Community Standards voting only in the case of a tie.

  3. CRB Determination & Sanctioning

    When it is determined that a violation occurred, the Administrator will share with the respondent, on behalf of the CRB, a "Draft Findings Report" describing the violation(s) and any applicable sanctions. The respondent may submit a written response within three days. The CRB will consider the respondent’s written response, if any, and then issue a "Final Determination Report" that states its conclusion on violations and any sanctions that should apply. The potential sanctions that may be imposed by the CRB are set forth in Section 2.5 Disciplinary Outcomes & Sanctions.

  4. Appeal

    The respondent has the right to appeal the CRB findings if there is new evidence that could not have been presented to the CRB before the CRB makes its final determination. Disagreement with the findings or the decision of the CRB is not, by itself, grounds for appeal. Appeals are submitted to the Dean, and the Dean's decision is final. If the violations or sanctions are not upheld, the Dean will determine next steps or new sanctions.

Protection of Privacy

The MBA Program and CRB will treat the information they receive with appropriate sensitivity. In addition to the CRB members, the MBA Program Chair and a representative from MBA Program leadership will receive copies of all reports. Students who are witnesses in an investigation also are asked to treat information appropriately and are given only the context and information needed so that they can answer any questions they are asked.

Throughout the disciplinary process, appropriate HBS faculty and staff members, as well as others at the University may be consulted on or informed of the case and its progress.

Observation of a Possible Violation

When a possible violation of Community Values, Honor Code, or another HBS policy is observed, it is not always easy to know what to do. However, all members of the community are encouraged to report a possible violation to the Associate Director, MBA Community Standards and Program Services.

Support through the Disciplinary Process

Students may receive support through the disciplinary process through a variety of sources including the Ombuds, MBA Student and Academic Services, the Counseling and Mental Health Service at HUHS (CAMHS), or the University Chaplain's office.

Ombuds
The Ombuds is a neutral and confidential third party who can support a student in the following ways if they are involved in a disciplinary process:

  • help the student understand the disciplinary process and the options available
  • provide a sounding board as the student considers and develops their response

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

Harvard University Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
CAMHS is a counseling and mental health support service that seeks to work collaboratively with students and the University to support individuals experiencing some measure of distress in their lives.

Chaplain Resources
Harvard Chaplains are available to offer religious, spiritual, and moral support for all members of the university community.

Duration of Disciplinary Process

Cases ordinarily are considered as quickly as is reasonably possible, given the need to investigate matters carefully. The length of the process depends on the complexity of the case, the number of necessary interviews, and scheduling availability. If the case is referred to the CRB, the Administrator will schedule the meeting as soon as reasonably possible given member availability.

Members of the Conduct Review Board (CRB)

For each case, the CRB is comprised of three faculty (including the CCS), three students, one senior staff member, and one administrator to the Board (the Administrator), who is a non-voting member. The individuals who serve in these roles may change from case to case as there are more standing members of the CRB available. This allows for flexibility to avoid conflicts and to schedule as quickly as possible. Students who serve on the CRB may include RC, EC, Doctoral, and Joint Degree students. At any given time, if there is an uptick in cases falling under the jurisdiction of the CRB, the MBA Program may add prior and/or new Board members to accommodate the additional caseload.

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

Chair, MBA Community Standards (CCS)
Professor Sandra Sucher, 617-496-0177, ssucher@hbs.edu

  • Oversees the Community Values Program
  • Oversees the disciplinary process, including:
    • Managing the work of the administrator as it relates to the CRB
    • Serving as chair of the Conduct Review Board

Administrators to the Board
Senior Director, MBA Program Office
Dana Pratt, 617-496-5579, dpratt@hbs.edu

Associate Director, MBA Community Standards and Program Services
Benjamin Longstreth, 617-495-7635, blongstreth@hbs.edu

  • Serve as initial contact regarding student violations
  • Manage information for the CCS and CRB
  • Monitor student compliance with sanctions and petitions to return to HBS