Dartmouth College is consistently ranked extremely high on lists of the best universities in the country, and any student attending the school should be proud of their efforts to secure enrollment. However, maintaining such high standards requires Dartmouth to provide clear expectations regarding behavior and discipline students appropriately for infractions. Allegations of behavioral misconduct can appear out of the blue from nearly any source and jeopardize a student’s enrollment. If you are currently accused of misconduct as a Dartmouth College student, working with experienced Student Defense attorneys provides your best chance at avoiding serious punishment.

The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team is ready to assist you in defending against accusations of behavioral misconduct or Dartmouth Code of Conduct violations. Call today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our confidential online form to get started on your disciplinary defense.

Behavioral Misconduct at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College clearly describes various standards of conduct that students are expected to follow during their time enrolled at the school. These behaviors are not the only ones that can jeopardize your future, but they are the most common ones that Dartmouth will likely investigate. Dartmouth’s standards include:

  • Physical Harm and Threats: Students must not engage in behavior that causes or threatens physical harm to others, such as the use or threat of violence.
  • Disorderly and Dangerous Conduct: Students cannot engage in actions that disrupt the college’s functions or threaten the security of its members. This means students cannot engage in overly aggressive public disruptions, interfere with college operations, or misuse Dartmouth’s emergency equipment or services.
  • Hazing: Dartmouth’s definition of hazing closely follows New Hampshire law and includes most acts that endanger another student’s physical or psychological health as part of initiation, admission, or continued membership in a group.
  • Stalking: Stalking is characterized by repeated behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear for their safety or significant emotional distress.
  • Substance Violations: Students must adhere to Dartmouth’s Alcohol and Drug Policy, avoiding underage drinking, misuse of controlled substances, and public intoxication.
  • Weapons and Safety Violations: Possession or use of weapons, including firearms, knives, and explosives, is strictly prohibited on all campus property.
  • Academic Misconduct: Students must follow Dartmouth’s Academic Honor Principle, which prohibits cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty.
  • Violation of Laws: Students are subject to disciplinary action whenever they break local, state, federal, or foreign laws. Dartmouth considers convictions and written admission as conclusive evidence of a violation. If a student expunges their criminal record, they can also seek to remove their disciplinary sanction from Dartmouth’s conduct records.

Remember, there are many more potential violations at Dartmouth College that can jeopardize a student’s enrollment. If school officials are investigating your conduct, contact the LLF National Law Firm as soon as possible to give our Student Defense Team ample time to review your case and provide proper guidance to avoid punishment.

Disciplinary Procedures at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College is renowned for its academic rigor and vibrant community, and the university takes allegations of behavioral misconduct extremely seriously to maintain high standards on campus. The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team can support you through disciplinary processes and help you secure the best outcome. The process is complex and stressful; don’t struggle for weeks or months alone. Contact the LLF National Law Firm as soon as you learn of investigations into your conduct to learn how we can help.

Initiation and Investigation of Reports

For sexual misconduct complaints, Dartmouth’s Title IX office will conduct investigations and disciplinary procedures. However, Dartmouth’s Office of Community Standards & Accountability (CSA) manages all non-sexual misconduct complaints, which is the vast majority of cases. Complaints alleging behavioral misconduct can come from students, faculty, or staff. Plus, the CSA can independently initiate an investigation based on any information it receives, regardless of the source. If the CSA deems a complaint potentially valid, it will investigate to determine whether student conduct violations occurred.

In some cases, Dartmouth officials can impose immediate temporary actions to protect the Dartmouth community. This means that you may be restricted from campus, removed from campus housing, or be issued a no-contact order even before a thorough investigation of your complaint. Officials can also potentially suspend a student following a criminal conviction for serious offenses.

Adjudication of Behavioral Misconduct at Dartmouth

Dartmouth has two primary ways to adjudicate behavioral misconduct complaints, and in both cases, the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team can help you prepare for your meetings and hearings.

Administrative Hearings

A college hearing officer handles the proceedings if behavioral misconduct does not potentially warrant suspension. The officer will review the case, present a notice, and provide an opportunity for the student to respond. The LLF National Law Firm can prepare you for this meeting and help you provide evidence and clear explanations to reduce disciplinary punishment. If you are still found responsible, sanctions include mandatory educational programs, fines, or temporary probation.

Committee on Standards (COS) Hearings

If a violation could lead to suspension or expulsion from the college, the Director of the CSA will notify the student, who then has five days to respond and detail whether they admit or deny the allegations. Denied allegations proceed to a hearing before the COS, while admitted cases may result in an individual hearing with the COS Chair, who can impose appropriate sanctions for the violations.

During hearings, committee members will review the evidence presented by the student and decide on appropriate sanctions if they find the student responsible. Once again, representing your side of the story in the best light is the most effective way to defend against these allegations. The LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team will gather the most relevant evidence possible to protect your enrollment at Dartmouth.

Since these complaints and allegations can result in separation or expulsion, it’s paramount that you thoroughly prepare and practice how you will defend your name. Students are expected to speak for themselves instead of relying on attorneys or advisers.

Appealing Behavioral Misconduct at Dartmouth with the LLF National Law Firm

Dartmouth students found responsible for disciplinary or behavioral misconduct have limited grounds to appeal their case. However, these appeals are significantly different from disciplinary hearings, as their purpose is to judge the fairness of the proceedings, not necessarily relitigate the entire case. If you want to appeal, you must work with attorneys, dig deep, and find valid reasons that Dartmouth College will accept.

Regardless of whether you are in the midst of misconduct proceedings or seeking an appeal, the LLF National Law Firm can assist in protecting your enrollment at Dartmouth. After working hard to secure your position at the school, don’t throw it away with a fight. Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us through our website.

College Academic Misconduct and Integrity

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