If you’re like most students, you probably think your academic career at Indiana State is based solely on your classroom performance. Keep your GPA up, and you’ll be fine. Fail a class or two, and you could lose your spot at the university.
In fact, it’s pretty hard to get dismissed over grades. Your grade point has to fall pretty far, and even then, you can expect ISU to put you on probation and give you multiple opportunities to get yourself together. On the other hand, one single disciplinary misconduct allegation—if the offense is serious enough—can mean suspension or even outright dismissal.
Here’s what all of this means: any time you’re facing a serious misconduct charge, you have to take it seriously. You can’t take on a university by yourself. The LLF National Law Firm can help. Our Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We know exactly how ISU operates, and we can show you how to use disciplinary processes and procedures to your best advantage.
Before we can do that, though, you have to contact us. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out how we can help with your case, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Misconduct at ISU
You might not even be aware that there are rules and regulations at ISU. Or maybe you just assume everything expected of you is common sense. But there’s actually a document—one you can read online—that includes all university offenses. We recommend looking over the entire Code of Conduct, so you know exactly what kind of behaviors to avoid. To get you started on that process, let’s talk about the five most serious offenses, the ones that can lead to suspension or dismissal.
- Abusive Behavior: As you would expect, one of the most important prohibitions in the Code is the one against physical violence and “abusive behavior.” All communities have a responsibility to protect their members. Note that you don’t actually have to do harm to another person, though, to be charged. Threatening or endangering others is enough.
- Weapons Possession: ISU also prohibits all weapons on campus, and again, this prohibition is more inclusive than you might expect. It’s not just firearms that can get you into trouble, but explosives—including fireworks—, dangerous chemicals, knives, and metal knuckles. BB guns, and even “replica” and “toy” weapons, are treated the same as rifles and handguns.
- Sexual Misconduct: Under Title IX, the federal government outlaws sexual discrimination and harassment on college campuses. That means this isn’t just another university regulation. ISU is required to investigate all credible offenses or risk the loss of funding, and it is encouraged to impose harsh penalties.
- Hazing: Hazing isn’t a violation of federal law, but it is a violation of Indiana state law. In addition, hazing incidents tend to garner media attention. As a result, you can be sure ISU takes every allegation seriously. Even keeping a pledge not to study can lead to an investigation.
- Drug Use and Possession: As with all of these offenses, ISU’s anti-drug policy is broad, covering pretty much any instance of drug-related “behavior” you can come up with. In addition to a ban on illegal drugs, this policy also prohibits the misuse of prescription drugs and possession of drug-related paraphernalia. In fact, you can be charged simply for “Reasonable suspicion of unlawful drug use (odor).”
Dismissal and even suspension can mean the end of your academic career. Even if you are allowed to return after an offense, you will likely have to do so without your financial aid package. The truth, though, is that even minor offenses can damage your future if they show up on your transcript. Even if ISU has just issued a warning in your case, that warning could cost you job opportunities.
The moment you find yourself in trouble, it’s crucial you contact the LLF National Law Firm. We understand what’s at stake in ways other attorneys don’t.
What to Expect from the Disciplinary Process
A university investigation can be every bit as grueling as a criminal justice investigation. The good news is that you have some important rights to protect you during the process. For starters, you are innocent until proven guilty (“not responsible until proven responsible”). That means the university cannot impose any sanctions on you unless it can come up with enough evidence to overcome that presumption.
Here’s what else you can expect.
- Cases begin when someone makes a complaint to the Office of Student Support and Accountability.
- You’ll know you’re under investigation because this office must issue you a notice of any charges you’re facing. This notice should explain the nature of the complaint and describe your several due process rights.
- The university needs evidence to proceed against you, so it must conduct an investigation. As part of that investigation, you are entitled to explain your side of the situation. In addition, the Office of Student Support must allow you to examine all evidence that it uncovers related to your case.
- Minor allegations are handled through an Administrative Conference. More serious cases appear before the University Conduct Board. In either situation, you have some important rights. First, you should be allowed to introduce any physical evidence that speaks to your innocence. In addition, you can call witnesses to testify on your behalf. Most importantly, you have the right to raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
- Furthermore, there is a clear standard of responsibility at ISU. Decision makers, in your case, must believe it is more than fifty percent likely that you committed an offense before finding you responsible for that offense.
- Finally, you also have the right to appeal a “responsible” outcome, though you must have clear grounds to do so. “Sufficient grounds” usually means a procedural error in the case, new evidence discovered since the end of the hearing, or a disproportionate sanction.
Whatever anyone may tell you, ISU is not on your side when you’ve been charged with a misconduct offense. Yes, you are innocent until proven guilty, but you can expect the university to work hard to come up with that proof. You can be sure, for example, that officials will put the worst possible spin on anything they uncover.
Make sure you have the LLF National Law Firm on your side the moment you’re charged. Our only interest is your success. We’ll protect your rights, and we’ll fight to get justice in your case.
Trust the LLF National Law Firm
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 college 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.