Job one at the University of Rhode Island is to study. You came to the school to earn a degree. It’s worth remembering, though, that your degree won’t be nearly as valuable if it comes attached to a record of disciplinary misconduct.

Any time you’re facing charges for a disciplinary offense, it’s important you take the situation seriously. What does that mean in practical terms? It means finding out everything you can about the allegations against you. You cannot properly defend yourself if you don’t fully understand what it is you’re supposed to have done. It means learning about the URI disciplinary process. What rights do you have, for example?

Most importantly, it means securing the very best help you can find. It’s one thing to know your rights. It’s another thing to use them effectively. The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team was founded to protect students. We understand your situation in a way other attorneys don’t. We’re also familiar with URI policies and procedures, and we can show you how to use them to your advantage. Whatever your situation, we’ll use every resource at our disposal to make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case.

How can we help? Call 888-535-3686 today to find out. Or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.

The URI Student Code of Conduct

Like all colleges and universities, URI maintains a Student Code of Conduct. These are the rules and regulations that govern your behavior as a student. It’s a long list—too long a list to go over every offense here. At a minimum, though, you need to know about the most serious offenses in the Code, the offenses that tend to carry the most serious penalties.

  • Abusive Conduct: Schools have a responsibility to keep every member of campus safe. At the heart of URI’s Code is a prohibition on “abusive conduct.” Note that this prohibition applies not only to physical violence, but also to “verbal abuse, threats, harassment, discriminatory harassment, stalking, cyberstalking, bullying/cyberbullying, and privacy violations.” In addition, a separate Code entry bars behavior that might potentially “endanger” others.

  • Weapons Possession: To further protect students, faculty, administration, and staff, URI prohibits all weapons possession, including firearms, ammunition, explosives, and dangerous chemicals.

  • Hazing: The same rules against abuse and endangerment apply, even if you’re engaged in organizational initiation activities. In recent years, even keeping pledges up too late at night has earned sanctions for both organizations and individuals.

  • Sexual Misconduct: Under Title IX, a federal law, URI must investigate all credible complaints of sexual misconduct, from simple verbal harassment to stalking and rape. In addition, the government encourages schools to issue harsh penalties to anyone found “responsible for” (guilty of) such an offense.

  • Illegal Drugs: Finally, URI prohibits all use, possession, manufacture, and distribution of illegal drugs, including marijuana. In addition, students are barred from possession of drug-related items.

All five of these offenses can be punished with suspension or dismissal. Keep in mind, though, far lesser sanctions for far more minor offenses can be just as problematic for your future. Even a warning for a noise violation can be “serious” if it appears on your transcript.

Keep in mind as well that once you’ve been accused of an offense, URI is not on your side. You’re used to thinking of the university as an ally, but when you’re involved in the disciplinary misconduct system, it is your adversary. Make sure you have someone in your corner with the background and experience to protect your interests and defend your rights.

The Disciplinary Misconduct System

URI can’t simply accuse you of an offense and impose a sanction. The Code of Conduct also grants you important due process rights, designed to ensure justice is done in your case. As a starting point, you have the right to a presumption of innocence (“non responsibility”). That means the university needs evidence to support any charges, and you must be afforded the opportunity to respond to that evidence.

  • The Office of Community Standards coordinates all aspects of the disciplinary process, from complaint intake to case appeals.

  • This office’s first responsibility when it receives a complaint is to notify you of the allegations. This notice should include a full explanation of the complaint and a list of all your due process rights.

  • The university must also conduct an investigation in order to uncover evidence related to the incident. As part of any investigation, you have the right to give your version of the events, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses for investigators to interview. In addition, you are entitled to review any evidence investigators discover.

  • Once the investigation is complete, the university sets a time and date for a hearing before either an Administrative Officer or a full Hearing Panel.

  • In either case, a hearing provides you the chance to offer formal arguments in defense of your innocence. In addition, you are entitled to introduce physical evidence and to call witnesses to testify. You are also allowed to raise questions about any evidence being used against you.

  • Disciplinary cases are decided using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, you are responsible for an offense if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed this offense.

  • You also have the right to appeal a responsible outcome. However, you cannot appeal simply because you disagree with that outcome. You must have “grounds” to support your appeal, such as a procedural error, a new piece of evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.

URI requires students to speak for themselves during investigative meetings and at the hearing. However, the LLF National Law Firm can help you prepare for all aspects of your case, from tracking down evidence to drafting any necessary appeals. We’ll help you build the strongest possible case, and we’ll make sure that the university treats you fairly from start to finish.

Fighting For Your Future

Handling your own disciplinary misconduct case puts your entire future at risk. Make sure you have a professional on your side, someone who not only knows how to construct a strong defense but who has experience helping student clients defend themselves from university charges. The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team will make sure you’re fully prepared to defend yourself. They’ll protect your rights. They’ll help you get the very best possible resolution to your case.

Sometimes, you have to fight for your educational future. We can help. To find out more, contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.

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