If you’ve been in college for more than a minute, you know university campuses are among the regulated spaces on the planet. Virtually every minute of every day, someone’s watching you, whether you’re in class, your dorm room, or browsing through books in the library. Schools have dozens of rules about everything from how you behave in the quad to how you behave online.
The biggest crackdown in recent years, though, has been on free speech. Most universities, the University of Pittsburgh among them, pay lip service to the idea that student expression is a sacred right. The truth, though, is that schools have become more and more intolerant of what their students have to say.
If you’ve been charged with some misconduct violation over something you’ve said, you don’t want to try to handle the situation on your own. Disciplinary procedures are simply too complicated, and the stakes these days can be high: you could be facing probation, suspension, or even dismissal. At the very first sign of trouble, it’s crucial that you contact the LLF National Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team is experienced, and no matter what the situation, we’re on your side.
To find out more about how we can help, call 888-535-3686 today, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
How the University of Pittsburgh Defines Free Speech
No school wants a reputation for restricting free speech—it’s bad for recruitment. So, as you might expect, the University of Pittsburgh makes a big deal out of the “Free Exchange of Ideas” on campus. No school wants a reputation for having an unruly student body either, though, so that same page on the free exchange of ideas contains some important restrictions on free speech. In fact, as you read through this page, you’ll quickly discover that there are far more policies aimed at curtailing your freedoms than at promoting them.
UP has guidelines on protesting, guidelines on event planning, guidelines for how speakers should behave, and policies on chalking and posting messages. The university makes clear that it controls the “time, place, and manner” of student protest, and it threatens action any time students interfere with normal campus operations.
The problem is that these policies create an atmosphere in which you can wind up accused of an offense any time anyone on campus takes exception to something you’ve said, whether it’s a comment in class or a passing remark in the cafeteria. It has become far too common to wind up charged with misconduct offenses.
The Actual Rules and Regulations
Of course, the University of Pittsburgh can’t sanction you just because it dislikes what you’ve said. Again, that’s not good for recruitment. What it can do is bend rules in the Student Code of Conduct to suit its own agenda. If you’re facing charges, it is likely for one of these offenses:
- Threatening Behavior: No school can allow students to do physical harm to one another, and they must respond to all genuine threats. The precise definition of a threat can be open to interpretation, though, and you shouldn’t be punished simply for speaking your mind.
- Harassment/ Discrimination: Likewise, colleges and universities have an obligation to prevent discrimination and harassment, especially against protected characteristics like age, sex, race, national origin, and religious background. Taken too far, however, rules against harassment and discrimination can be used to prevent you from pointing out a religion’s flaws or condemning the violence committed by a particular country.
- Disorderly Conduct: Finally, catchall rules against disorderly conduct and class disruption can often be used to justify a wide range of broad restrictions, including restrictions on speech and expression.
No matter what the University of Pittsburgh charges you with, you can be sure your LLF National Law Firm attorney has the skills and the background to handle it. We’ve worked with hundreds of student clients, defending them from every conceivable type of misconduct allegation. We know your rights, and we can show you how to assert them effectively.
The Disciplinary Misconduct System
Perhaps your most important right as a University of Pittsburgh student is the right to due process any time you’re accused of an offense. As part of due process, you are entitled to a presumption of innocence (“non responsibility”). That means the university needs a “preponderance of evidence” to overcome that presumption, and you always have the right to challenge that evidence.
Here’s what you can expect.
- The Office of Student Conduct has authority over all disciplinary misconduct allegations, and only the Director can issue a formal charge against you.
- When you’re charged with an offense, the university must provide you with notice of those charges. This notice should include a description of the complaint and a complete list of your due process rights.
- As part of any investigation, you have the right to give your side of the story, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses. In addition, the Office of Student Conduct must allow you to review any evidence it uncovers.
- Once the investigation is complete, the Office of Student Conduct assigns your case to either a Hearing Officer or the Conduct Hearing Board.
- The hearing affords both sides the opportunity to present evidence, including witness testimony. In addition, you are entitled to raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
- Ultimately, decision-makers must decide whether there is a “preponderance of evidence” against you. Basically, you are responsible (guilty) if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed the offense.
Your LLF National Law Firm attorney cannot represent you the way they would in a civil or criminal trial. The University of Pittsburgh requires you to speak for yourself. Your attorney can prepare you to do this, though. In addition, it’s their job to ensure you’re treated fairly throughout the disciplinary process.
Trust the LLF National Law Firm
If you’ve been accused of some type of disciplinary misconduct over something you’ve said, you don’t want to try to handle the situation on your own. Your educational and professional futures are at stake.
The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team is committed to your future and to ensuring you get justice. We are skilled negotiators, but make no mistake: we’re ready to fight for you any time you need us.
To find out more about how we can help, contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686, or fill out our online questionnaire.