Think there's no way you could wind up charged with a disciplinary misconduct offense at the Illinois Institute of Technology? Think again. Dozens of students are accused every semester for everything from trespassing to stalking. It doesn't matter how high your GPA is, either. If you find yourself accused, you never know where an investigation might lead, and your GPA won't protect you from probation, suspension, or even dismissal.
If you've been charged, your best chance of salvaging your academic career is to contact the Lento Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team is committed to protecting student rights. We back up that commitment with a knowledge of IIT rules and regulations and experience helping hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of charges.
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 the Illinois Institute of Technology
“Disciplinary misconduct” refers to conduct occurring outside of class, “non-academic” misconduct. You can find a complete list of possible offenses in IIT's Student Handbook. It's a long list, and it's too long to go into here. So, let's focus on the most serious kinds of offense, the offenses that tend to result in the most serious sanctions.
- Endangerment: IIT outlaws all forms of “physical abuse.” The Code of Conduct goes further, though. You can also be charged for “endangering” other persons, and the policy applies not just to physical harm but to potential “mental” harm. In the context of this language, you could be accused of simple verbal harassment.
- Weapons Possession: While Illinois state law allows for concealed carry, that same law also prohibits carrying a handgun onto any college campus. IIT broadens this prohibition to include all firearms and explosives.
- Hazing: Hazing incidents have generated a number of headlines over the last several years, and schools like IIT are under serious scrutiny when it comes to their anti-hazing policies. As a result, virtually all types of initiation rituals are barred under the Student Code of Conduct.
- Sexual Misconduct: These are the most serious charges any college student can face. IIT is required by federal law (Title IX) to investigate all credible allegations and is further encouraged to issue severe sanctions.
- Drug Use and Possession: This may be the most common offense on the IIT campus, but the school treats such offenses very seriously. Note, too, that the Code of Conduct also prohibits misuse of prescription drugs and, as you might expect, underage drinking as well.
IIT maintains five sanctions: Disciplinary Warnings, Mutual No-Contact Orders, Disciplinary Probation, Disciplinary Suspension, and Disciplinary Expulsion. Obviously, a penalty like expulsion can turn your academic and professional futures upside down. Few schools accept students who have been dismissed elsewhere. Even a warning can be trouble, though, if it shows up on your transcript. A record of disciplinary misconduct can cost you scholarships, internships, graduate school placements, and even jobs. The very moment you're accused, the moment you think you might be accused, it's crucial you contact the Lento Law Firm to find out how we can help.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
The good news is IIT provides accused students with several important due process protections. You are "innocent until proven guilty," for example ("not responsible until proven responsible"). The school must have evidence to substantiate any charges, and you always have the right to challenge evidence at a formal hearing.
- Anyone may lodge a complaint against you with the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Community Standards, Public Safety, or the Greek Council.
- Ultimately, the Office of Student Affairs decides whether a complaint is credible and whether or not to issue formal charges.
- The university must supply you with notice of any charges against you. This notice must contain an explanation of the allegations and a complete list of your due process rights.
- Among your rights, you're entitled to an advisor of your choice, someone to accompany you to meetings and proceedings. This means that from the very beginning of the case, a Lento Law Firm attorney can be with you at any investigative interviews.
- You always have the right to give your side of the story to investigators. Of course, you should also expect them to interview any complainants in the case (accusers or alleged victims), and they'll collect all physical evidence.
- Once they've completed their work, investigators submit their findings to the Office of Student Affairs. You have a right to review these findings. The Office of Student Affairs then sets a time and date for a hearing.
- Minor offenses may be heard by the Dean of Students. Major offenses usually appear before a full Campus Judicial Board. In either case, this is your opportunity to present evidence and call witnesses to testify. You are also entitled to raise questions for any witness testifying against you.
- In all cases, decision-makers employ the “preponderance of the evidence” standard in their deliberations. This standard asserts that you are guilty if decision-makers are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- Should decision-makers find you “responsible” (guilty), you can appeal. However, grounds for appeal are limited to issues of fairness, such as whether the university made any procedural mistakes in your case, whether or not you had access to all evidence in the case, and whether or not the sanction applied in the case is proportionate to the offense.
It's important to remember that your Lento Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you. IIT requires you to defend yourself. That said, your attorney can take care of all aspects of preparing your defense, from uncovering evidence to filing any necessary appeals. They'll be beside you throughout your case to help you answer questions and present your arguments. They'll also keep a close watch on everything that happens to make sure that you're treated 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.
