Most colleges and universities in Minnesota, as well as many higher education institutions across the country, enforce what's known as a “code of conduct.” This code is a compilation of rules and regulations that are intended to maintain a safe and harmonious campus environment. Obviously, each school will have different versions of this code, so check your school's code of conduct to understand its expectations.
Students who've been accused of violating their school's code are required to undergo a disciplinary proceeding. Whether this proceeding will be conducted as a hearing or another process depends on your school. Either way, the ultimate goal is the same at every institution: to determine whether or no an accused student is “responsible” for committing a disciplinary violation.
It's important that you, as an accused student, understand that a responsible determination for an even a seemingly minor violation can get you in serious trouble. Trouble that can not only hinder the progress you've made academically but haunt you down the line in your professional life. With so much at stake, guidance from an experienced Minnesota student defense attorney is a must. An attorney's presence in your situation will maximize your chances of an equitable process and consequently, a fair result.
Common Code of Conduct Violations
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct is deemed one of the most common violations committed by college students. This, in part, is because many students don't realize that what they're doing is against school policy. At its core, academic misconduct is any action that breaches academic integrity. It's a vague definition that leaves plenty of room for students potentially mess up. Plagiarizing parts of an essay, cheating on a test, forging a professor's signature, or merely being complicit while others are committing an academically dishonest act are all examples of academic misconduct.
Alcohol
As most students know (and disregard), underage drinking is illegal. Because of this law, virtually all colleges and universities in Minnesota have rules prohibiting alcohol use by students under the legal drinking age of 21. But some schools take this rule a step further by enforcing rules that restrict student access to alcohol regardless of age. Check your school's code of conduct for a clearer picture of the approach your school takes to handling incidents involving alcohol and underage drinking.
Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly conduct is characterized as a student's engagement in behavior that can be perceived as lewd, disruptive, or indecent. A wide span of actions can possibly constitute disorderly conduct. Public drunkenness, loitering, and recklessness in a crowded area are all examples of how diverse and far-reaching this policy can be.
Hazing
Despite the constant controversy that surrounds greek life, hazing rituals are still a huge part of campus culture. It is only when they get out of hand that they violate school policy. If school administrators discover that these rituals contain conduct that is humiliating, degrading, or endangers the safety of participants, those behind initiation procedures are at risk of being punished.
Minnesota Disciplinary Violation Advisor
The help of an attorney advisor is invaluable in the disciplinary process. National student defense attorney Joseph D. Lento has the skill, experience, and expertise to help you preserve your entitled rights under your school's policy. For a case evaluation or more information about his representation, contact him online or give him a call at 888-535-3686 today.
Minnesota colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's disciplinary violation advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Academy College
- Alexandria Technical & Community College
- Anoka Technical College
- Anoka Ramsey Community College
- Argosy University Twin Cities
- Augsburg College
- Bemidji State University
- Bethany Lutheran College
- Bethel University
- Brown College Brooklyn Center
- Brown College Mendota Heights
- Capella University
- Carleton College
- Central Lakes College Brainerd
- Century Community and Technical College
- College of Saint Benedict
- College of Visual Arts
- Concordia College at Moorhead
- Concordia University Saint Paul
- Crossroads College
- Crown College Saint
- Dakota County Technical College
- DeVry University Minnesota
- Duluth Business University
- Dunwoody College of Technology
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
- Globe University Minneapolis
- Globe University Woodbury
- Gustavus Adolphus College
- Hamline University
- Hennepin Technical College
- Herzing University Minneapolis
- Hibbing Community College A Technical and Community College
- Institute of Production and Recording
- Inver Hills Community College
- Itasca Community College
- ITT Technical Institute Brooklyn Center
- ITT Technical Institute Eden Prairie
- Lake Superior College
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Minneapolis
- Macalester College
- Martin Luther College
- McNally Smith College of Music
- Mesabi Range Community and Technical College
- Metropolitan State University
- Minneapolis Business College
- Minneapolis College of Art and Design
- Minneapolis Community and Technical College
- Minnesota School of Business Blaine
- Minnesota School of Business Brooklyn Center
- Minnesota School of Business Elk River
- Minnesota School of Business Lakeville
- Minnesota School of Business Moorhead
- Minnesota School of Business Plymouth
- Minnesota School of Business Richfield
- Minnesota School of Business Rochester
- Minnesota School of Business Shakopee
- Minnesota School of Business Waite Park
- Minnesota State College Southeast Technical
- Minnesota State Community and Technical College
- Minnesota State University Moorhead
- Minnesota State University Mankato
- Minnesota West Community and Technical College
- National American University Bloomington
- National American University Brooklyn Center
- National American University Roseville
- Normandale Community College
- North Central University
- North Hennepin Community College
- Northland Community and Technical College
- Northwest Technical College
- Northwest Technical Institute
- Northwestern College
- Northwestern Health Sciences University
- Oak Hills Christian College
- Pine Technical College
- Rainy River Community College
- Ridgewater College
- Riverland Community College
- Rochester Community and Technical College
- Saint Cloud State University
- Saint John's University
- Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
- Saint Paul College A Community and Technical College
- South Central College
- Southwest Minnesota State University
- St. Catherine University
- St. Cloud Technical and Community College
- St. Olaf College
- The Art Institutes International Minnesota
- The College of Saint Scholastica
- University of Minnesota Crookston
- University of Minnesota Duluth
- University of Minnesota Morris
- University of Minnesota Rochester
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- University of Phoenix Minneapolis/St Paul Campus
- University of St Thomas
- Vermilion Community College
- White Earth Tribal and Community College
- Winona State University
College disciplinary violations can impact an accused student's life if not defended against properly and as early as possible during the disciplinary process, and Joseph D. Lento has a decade of experience passionately fighting for the future of his clients at colleges and universities throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead, prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a student advisor and educational consultant to students facing disciplinary cases in Minnesota and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact student defense attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
