No matter how bright you may be, no matter how high your SAT scores or your grades, no matter how many times you've been on SNHU's dean's list—you're still vulnerable to suspension and dismissal from the university if you should wind up accused of disciplinary misconduct.
The moment you're charged with an offense—the moment you're accused or you think you might be accused—you need to contact the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team knows exactly what you're up against. We've represented hundreds of students in campus misconduct cases, defending them from every conceivable type of charge. We know how SNHU's judicial processes and procedures work, and we can show you how to use them to your advantage.
However, before we can help, you have to contact us. Call 888-535-3686 to find out how we can help, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Standards of Conduct at Southern New Hampshire University
Any misconduct offense can be a problem, but some university violations are more serious than others. The SNHU Student Handbook identifies dozens of code of conduct violations. Here are the ones that can get you into the most trouble.
- Assault: SNHU defines assault as any physical contact with another person without that person's consent. Even if you don't mean harm, behaving recklessly can result in a charge of assault. Elsewhere, the university also bars all threatening behavior as well as bullying and cyberbullying.
- Weapons Possession: Without exception, students are barred from possessing, using, displaying, and distributing firearms and other types of dangerous weapons, including explosive devices.
- Hazing: SNHU's anti-hazing policy is broad. Not only does it prohibit conduct that could endanger others' physical well-being, but it also prohibits any action that could endanger another person's psychological or emotional well-being. In recent years, organizations and individuals have been charged for behavior that seems seemingly innocuous, such as keeping pledges up too late.
- Sexual Misconduct: All colleges and universities are subject to Title IX, which prohibits sexual harassment and discrimination on campus. Schools are required to investigate all sexually-based offenses and are encouraged to impose harsh penalties on students found responsible for (guilty of) offenses.
- Drug Possession: SNHU's alcohol and drug policy is serious enough to have its own section in the Student Handbook. Any use or possession of illegal drugs is explicitly prohibited. Keep in mind that marijuana remains illegal under federal law, whatever state guidelines may say.
The minimum sanction for these offenses is usually suspension. Often, though, a responsible verdict means outright dismissal. You can't transfer your way out of the problem, either. Even if you leave school, SNHU will investigate you, hold a hearing, and likely find you guilty. Punishments include transcript notations about the nature of your offense, and most schools won't accept students with that kind of record. You could very well be heading onto the job market with no degree whatsoever.
In these kinds of circumstances, you can't try and defend yourself. You need the best possible help you can get. You need an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
Just as in the criminal justice system, you have rights any time SNHU accuses you of a misconduct offense. The university must treat you as “innocent until proven guilty,” for instance. It must have concrete evidence to find you responsible for an offense, and you should have the opportunity to refute any evidence being used against you.
- All misconduct allegations are handled by the Office of Student Conduct. It is up to this office to decide if the allegations are credible and whether or not they warrant a formal charge.
- Any time you are charged, the university issues you notice of those charges. This notice explains the allegations—particularly important if you're entirely innocent and don't understand what you're supposed to have done. In addition, notice should include a list of all your due process rights.
- Investigators typically begin by interviewing both the complainant (the accuser or alleged victim) and the respondent (the accused, you). In addition, they speak with any witnesses and collect all physical evidence associated with the case.
- Ultimately, investigators are tasked with creating a full report detailing their findings. They submit this report to the Office of Student Conduct, which then sets a time and date for a hearing.
- Minor cases sometimes appear before a single administrator. Major cases, however, are heard by a Disciplinary Board. In either case, you should have the chance to present physical evidence and call witnesses to testify. You also have a right to raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
- The standard of responsibility (guilt) at SNHU is “preponderance of the evidence.” Basically, you are guilty if the Board is more than fifty percent convinced you are guilty.
- You can appeal a responsible verdict. However, you must have grounds to do so. Grounds are not just your disagreement over the outcome. You must be able to show you were treated unfairly in some way by the judicial process.
SNHU does not allow attorneys to accompany students to investigative meetings and hearings. The Lento Law Firm regards this as a significant violation of your due process rights. However, it does not prevent us from providing you with legal advice. In fact, we can help prepare you for every aspect of the investigation and hearing processes, from working with you to uncover evidence to drafting your hearing presentation.
Our most important job? Monitoring the process to ensure the university doesn't deprive you of any other rights. You deserve a fair and just outcome, and we're willing to fight to ensure you get that.
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.
