There’s more to graduating from Northern Illinois University than keeping your GPA up. Sure, studying matters. You want to earn the highest grades you can if you plan to secure a top job out of college. Your disciplinary conduct matters too, though, maybe more than you think.

The thing is, you can afford to fail a course or two. It might bring your grade point down, but it won’t put your academic career in jeopardy. Commit the wrong sort of misconduct, though, and you could find yourself looking for a new school, even for a first offense.

The bottom line is that you cannot afford to take any allegation lightly. Once you’re charged with misconduct, you can’t know where the investigation might lead. You can’t be sure the university will find you innocent. You need the LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team in your corner, protecting your rights and looking out for your interests.

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

Standards of Conduct at NIU

All colleges and universities maintain a student code of conduct. These are the rules and regulations that govern your behavior on campus. The NIU code is extensive, with strictures against everything from trespassing to “misuse of university resources.” As you might expect, though, some offenses are definitely more serious than others. Here’s a brief list of the code violations most likely to lead to suspension or dismissal.

  • Physical Harm: At the heart of all five of these offenses is a concern for student safety. That starts with a prohibition on the physical harm you might do to others. Note that in addition to being charged for actual harm, you can also be charged for creating the conditions that could lead to harm.

  • Weapons Possession: In addition, NIU bars the use and possession of any weapon. This applies to any device capable of firing a projectile, ammunition, knives, nunchucks, stun guns, and even BB guns.

  • Hazing: NIU takes a no-tolerance approach to hazing. Any activity you engage in as part of organizational initiation that has the potential to cause physical, psychological, or emotional harm can lead to a charge. In recent years, even keeping pledges up too late at night has instigated investigations.

  • Sexual Misconduct: Title IX, a federal law, prohibits sexual discrimination and harassment on college campuses. This applies to misconduct ranging from simple verbal harassment to stalking, dating violence, and rape. Schools are required to investigate all credible allegations and encouraged to impose severe sanctions.

  • Illegal Drugs: Finally, NIU bars the use, possession, consumption, manufacture, sale, exchange, distribution, and sharing of illegal drugs. This applies to cannabis, which, while legal in Illinois, remains illegal under federal law.

Obviously, dismissal means leaving NIU altogether. Suspension can be just as bad. Not only does it mean a disruption of your education, but you may very well lose your financial aid package, making it difficult to finish a degree. Plus, both of these sanctions are reported on your transcript. That means you’ll have to explain your offense to every future employer.

Don’t risk it. The LLF National Law Firm has helped hundreds of students just like you fight all types of charges. We know what makes for the best arguments and what counts as the strongest evidence. We represent your best chance of successfully defending yourself.

The Disciplinary Misconduct Process

The code of conduct doesn’t just include a list of rules and regulations. It also describes the process NIU uses to investigate and adjudicate allegations. As it turns out, you have some important rights as part of this process, including the right to a presumption of innocence. Having rights isn’t always the same as knowing how to use them effectively, though.

Here’s what you can expect.

  • Anyone can lodge a complaint against you with the Office of Student Conduct. This office must decide the complaint is credible, though, before issuing a formal charge.

  • If you’ve been charged, the Office of Student Conduct will provide you with notice of those charges. It cannot investigate you in secret. This notice should include a full explanation of the complaint and a list of your due process rights.

  • Next, the university should initiate an investigation. It needs evidence to substantiate any charges against you. You have the right to be involved in this investigation. You are entitled to give your side of the story, submit evidence, and suggest witnesses.

  • Once the investigation is complete, the case moves into a hearing phase. Before any hearing, though, you should be allowed to review any evidence investigators have uncovered in your case.

  • Minor accusations are typically heard by a single administrative official. Serious allegations appear before a student conduct board. In either case, both sides offer arguments and support those arguments with physical evidence and witness testimony. You also have the right to raise questions about any evidence being used against you.

  • The standard of responsibility (guilt) at NIU is “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, you are responsible for an offense if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed that offense.

  • A “not responsible” outcome means the end of your case. You can appeal a “responsible” outcome, but only if you can offer sufficient grounds for such an appeal. This usually means a new piece of evidence to present, an allegation of procedural misconduct, or an argument about the severity of the sanction.

NIU is not on your side in a disciplinary misconduct case. It can’t be. Not if it’s tasked with investigating allegations and rendering decisions about your guilt or innocence. You need someone who is. No matter what the charges, no matter what the specifics of the situation, the LLF National Law Firm is always on your side and ready to fight to protect your future.

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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