You made it into the University of Oregon. There's no doubt you're bright. Smarts won't necessarily protect you from a disciplinary misconduct charge, though, and a disciplinary misconduct charge could put all your hard work to this point in jeopardy.
The thing is, you don't necessarily have to be guilty to find yourself accused of misconduct. Misunderstandings happen all the time. Unfortunately, false allegations sometimes happen. And even if you did make some sort of mistake, it doesn't mean you should face a serious sanction, like suspension or dismissal.
Whatever your particular situation, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is always on your side. We know the challenges you face. We know that colleges and universities can sometimes be too quick to judge and too harsh in the penalties they impose. We're familiar with UO's rules and regulations and with its judicial processes and procedures. We're always ready to bring every resource at our disposal to bear to get you a fair resolution.
First, though, 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 the University of Oregon
Let's start with the basics: just what is it you need to do to stay out of trouble at the University of Oregon? It turns out that's a long list. That's one reason students sometimes wind up in trouble despite their best efforts. You'd be astonished how many of our clients didn't know they were breaking a rule until they wound up charged.
We don't have time to go over every offense listed in the UO Student Conduct Code. What we can do, though, is draw your attention to some of the most serious offenses listed in the Code.
- Physical Contact: The University of Oregon doesn't just prohibit “violence” or “physical abuse.” UO goes so far as to bar any type of physical contact that harms or “endangers” the “health or safety of any person.”
- Weapons Possession: UO policy bars possession and use of any firearm, ammunition, explosive device, or "other dangerous object." The university also takes the unusual step of weapons use or possession off campus in any manner that is unlawful.
- Hazing: Colleges and universities have taken an increasingly rigid stance against hazing in recent years. You can be charged not just for causing physical harm but for “endangering” pledges' “psychological or emotional well-being.”
- Sexual Misconduct: Colleges and universities are actually required by federal law to police sexual misconduct on campus. Title IX mandates schools investigate all credible complaints, and it encourages schools to impose harsh sanctions on students found responsible.
- Drug Use and Possession: UO actually bars the use and possession of a number of substances, including tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol, when it involves a minor. The most serious sanctions at the university, though, are reserved for the manufacture, distribution, possession, cultivation, or use of controlled substances except where "authorized by law."
The Code goes on to list the potential sanctions students can face for disciplinary misconduct offenses. These range from conduct warnings to loss of privileges to revocation of degree. Obviously, sanctions like suspension and dismissal can be especially scary, but any sanction, even a warning, can affect your academic and professional future. If a disciplinary misconduct offense shows up on your transcript, it can cost you scholarships, internships, graduate school positions, and even employment opportunities.
Whatever the charge and whatever the potential sanction, you must take the situation seriously. That means contacting the Lento Law Firm to find out how we can help.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
There is some good news. Whatever the accusations against you, you always have the right to defend yourself. In fact, the University of Oregon gives you some important due process rights to help you do that. You're "innocent until proven guilty," for example ("not responsible until proven responsible"). The university needs concrete evidence to prove anything, and you always have the right to refute any evidence being used against you.
Here's what you can expect.
- Cases begin when someone lodges a complaint against you with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. A complaint doesn't mean you'll be charged with an offense, though. The Director must believe the complaint is credible before proceeding to an official investigation.
- Any time you're under investigation, you have the right to notice the charges. This notice must explain the allegations against you and include a list of your due process rights.
- Among your several rights, you are entitled to select a support person to accompany you to all official proceedings. This means the Lento Law Firm can be on hand at every step in the process to offer advice.
- During any investigation, you have the right to give your side of the story and submit any evidence you might have. Further, you're entitled to review any and all evidence that investigators uncover.
- Ultimately, investigators submit their findings to the Director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. The Director then sets a time and date for an administrative conference.
- The administrative conference is a little like a criminal trial. That is, both sides have the chance to make their cases. You may introduce evidence, and you may call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- There are also important ways in which a campus hearing is not like a criminal trial. Perhaps the most important of these is the standard on which decisions are based. The Director doesn't have to find you guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt." It is enough if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed the offense.
Another important difference between criminal trials and campus hearings? The Lento Law Firm attorney cannot “represent you. The University of Oregon requires you to speak on your own behalf. Your attorney will be there to offer advice, though, and they can play an enormous role in constructing your defense, from helping you uncover evidence to drafting the content of your actual conference presentation.
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.
