It doesn't matter how smart you are, how high your GPA might be, how many times you've had your name on the Dean's List. You can still be charged with disciplinary misconduct at Rensselaer Polytechnic.
What do you do if it happens to you?
You contact the Lento Law Firm immediately. Our Student Defense Team is dedicated to protecting student rights. We know the law, we know RPI policies and procedures, and we're prepared to use what we know to make sure you're treated fairly. It doesn't matter what situation you're facing. We've handled every conceivable type of misconduct charge. Innocent? Guilty? We're always on your side. Our job is to make sure you receive the best possible resolution, and we'll fight to make that happen.
What can we do to help you? Find out by calling 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Standards of Conduct at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Let's start with the basics. What even is disciplinary misconduct and how do you avoid an accusation?
Disciplinary misconduct is sometimes referred to as “non-academic misconduct” to distinguish it from classroom offenses like cheating and plagiarism. The rules and regulations governing these offenses are contained in RPI's Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities. There are dozens of separate offenses, and there are far too many to list here. However, we can talk about the most serious offenses, the ones that typically result in the most serious sanctions.
- Physical Violence: Like all colleges and universities, and indeed, all communities, RPI outlaws physical violence. Keep in mind that this prohibition doesn't just extend to actual violence. You can be investigated for threatening violence as well. Even a poorly worded remark made in passing could be enough to get you into trouble.
- Weapons Possession: As a further protection against violence, RPI also outlaws all weapons possession on campus. This prohibition extends to all explosive devices, including fireworks, and to knives, bows and arrows, and even slingshots.
- Hazing: Note that hazing doesn't just mean actual physical harm done to initiates. Any act that endangers a pledge's physical, emotional, or psychological well-being qualifies.
- Sexual Misconduct: These are particularly serious offenses and are governed by federal law under Title IX. The law is constantly in a state of flux. Sometimes, even verbal harassment can be enough to earn a charge.
- Drug Use and Possession: In addition to drug use and possession, RPI also bars the distribution, manufacture, and sale of illegal drugs. Further, you can be charged simply for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sanctions vary at RPI depending on the exact nature of the charges. Technically, you can face anything from a simple warning to expulsion when you're found responsible for (guilty of) committing a disciplinary misconduct offense. However, colleges and universities have experienced a significant inflation in sanctions over the last decade. Even minor offenses are now eligible for the most serious punishments.
In addition, it's important to remember that any sanction, even a warning, can affect your academic and professional futures if it should show up on your transcript. Internships, graduate schools, and employers all take evidence of misconduct very seriously. This is one reason why it is so important you always have the Lento Law Firm attorney in your corner. There's simply too much at risk to handle a misconduct charge on your own.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
Allegations are just that—allegations. RPI is bound by its own policies to treat you as innocent (“not responsible”) until proven guilty (“responsible”). It must prove your guilt to a “preponderance of the evidence,” and it must give you the opportunity to challenge evidence.
- All disciplinary matters at RPI are handled by the Dean of Students. This official receives all complaints and makes decisions about whether they should be pursued with formal charges.
- The institute cannot investigate you in secret. If you've been charged, you'll receive formal notice of the charges against you.
- The Dean then initiates a judicial inquiry, or investigation, into the matter. You always have the right to give your side of the story to investigators, to submit evidence, and to recommend witnesses for them to interview.
- Once investigators complete their work, they submit a report of their findings back to the Dean. The Dean then sets a time and date for a hearing.
- Hearings at RPI take place before a Judicial Board made up of trained faculty and students. Both sides have a chance to make their cases. You may introduce evidence and call witnesses. You also have the right to raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- The Board employs a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” when deciding your case. According to this standard, you are guilty if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- RPI also maintains an appeals process. If you feel you were treated unfairly—subjected to procedural errors, denied the chance to present evidence because it hadn't yet been uncovered—you have grounds to ask for a new hearing.
Unless you're facing criminal charges, Rensselaer doesn't allow you to bring an attorney with you to investigative meetings or other proceedings. We oppose this policy as a denial of your due process rights. However, the Lento Law Firm attorney can help you no matter what the situation might be.
We can, for instance, work with you to uncover evidence and map out your overall defense strategy. We can coach you in responding to investigators. We can draft documents on your behalf and suggest questions for witnesses. We can outline your defense presentation and give you practice in making it.
Of course, our most important job is ensuring you're treated fairly at every step of the way. Even if we never set one foot on campus, you can count on us to hold your school responsible for treating you fairly.
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 Lento 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 to 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 Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online questionnaire.
