Peirce College is a Pennsylvania university designed and structured specifically for working adults. The College maintains governance over its student body through a Code of Student Conduct and Responsibility. The Code itself is located in the College's student handbook. The Code is in place to ensure that both the students and the College's best interests are held. Students who may have violated the Code will be subject to the College's Disciplinary Procedures. If they are found to be guilty of a violation, the College will impose sanctions upon them as punishment for their actions.
Peirce College has three tiers of sanctioning used when a student is found guilty of a violation. Level One sanctions involve disciplinary warnings, or demands to participate in workshops, support services, or counseling. Level Two sanctions involve disciplinary probation, possible dismissal from leadership positions, possible prohibition from attending College events, possible fines, and may be accompanied by Level One Sanctions as well. Level Three is the highest level and consists of expulsion without the possibility of re-admittance.
Peirce College Disciplinary Procedures
When a student is suspected of committing a violation, the student will receive a written notice from the College. The student will be asked to attend a brief interview hearing with the Assistant Dean of Student Support Services. At the interview, the Assistant Dean will inform the student of the charges and the Disciplinary Process. The student will have an opportunity to discuss the violations, and offer their version of events. The student will also have access to all available information from the College against them. Students can provide their own statements, responses, and supporting evidence to support their case. They can also present their own witnesses. All evidence and witness admissibility will be determined by the Assistant Dean. Students are not required to answer the questions presented to them, and the Assistant Dean is to use only the evidence and statements presented when making a determination. After all the evidence and witnesses are heard, the Assistant Dean will make a decision on whether or not the student was guilty of a violation. The decision will be made using the standard of a preponderance of evidence. Prior disciplinary records will be considered only if the student is found guilty, to determine appropriateness of sanctions.
Peirce College does not specify who is allowed to attend meetings with the Assistant Dean. However, it is best for a student to be prepared for the worst. An attorney's counsel can help a student in a hearing situation. Attorneys can offer insight into methods of evidence presentation and argument construction that can help a student secure a better outcome.
Peirce College Appeals
In the event of an unfavorable outcome, students have 7 calendar days to make an appeal. Letters of appeal must be submitted to the Vice President of Student Services. The grounds for appeal are new information, evidence that the disciplinary system has been violated, or a claim that the sanction was unjustifiable or too harsh for the violation.
For cases that resulted in expulsion, students can make a secondary appeal. The appeal must be submitted within 7 days of the original appeal decision. The request for appeal must be submitted to the President & Chief Executive Officer. This appeal must be on the grounds of a review of the disciplinary process.
If you or a fellow student is facing disciplinary action from Peirce College, contact the LLF Law Firm today.
