You're a bright, hardworking college student. You attend every class session, you study hard for exams, and you turn in papers before they're due. None of that can help you avoid a disciplinary misconduct charge, though. No matter how smart you may be, no matter how disciplined, you can still be accused of misconduct. We all make mistakes. Even if you haven't made a mistake, you could still be the victim of a misunderstanding or a false allegation. It's vital that you know how to protect yourself if you should find yourself facing allegations.
One of the keys to protecting yourself is having a skilled attorney on your side. Students don't always realize just how complex a campus defense can be. You don't want to head into a hearing all on your own.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was specifically created to help students respond to misconduct charges. We know your rights and how to use them to your advantage. We also know how Western Governors University's judicial processes and procedures work, and we can help guide you through them from start to finish. Whatever your particular situation, we're on your side and ready to fight for your educational future.
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 Western Governors University
Like all colleges and universities, WGU maintains something known as a Student Code of Conduct. The Code describes all the rules and regulations you're expected to follow as a student. It's a long list, with prohibitions against everything from underage drinking to “misuse of computing […] systems.”
We don't have time to explore all of WGU's rules. We do want to focus, though, on the most serious offenses, the ones that usually result in the most serious sanctions.
- Physical Abuse: Like any other community, WGU must protect its members. That means barring all types of violence, including any action that could “threaten or endanger” another person's health or safety.
- Weapons Possession: Violence becomes exponentially more dangerous when weapons are involved. Thus, WGU also bars the illegal possession of firearms, explosives, and dangerous chemicals. In addition, students are prohibited from using legally possessed weapons to "harm, threaten, or cause fear" to others.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are prohibited on college campuses by federal law (Title IX). WGU is required to maintain a strict policy against offenses ranging from simple verbal harassment to dating violence and rape. The government also encourages schools to implement harsh penalties.
- Drug Possession: WGU outlaws illegal possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and any other controlled substance.
Sanctions for these offenses often include suspension and even outright expulsion. These sanctions are serious enough, but you'll also receive a transcript notation about the nature of your offense. A notation like that can have repercussions well beyond your status at WGU. Most colleges and universities won't admit students with disciplinary misconduct records, which means you could be heading onto the job market without any sort of college degree.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
WGU cannot simply accuse you of an offense and impose a sanction. Even if you've been accused of a serious offense like sexual misconduct, you have the right to defend yourself. Under WGU's own policy, you are entitled to a presumption of "not responsible" (innocent). The university must conduct an investigation to determine if allegations have merit, and it must give you a chance to challenge any evidence it uncovers.
Here's what you can expect from the process.
- Any time you're accused of a disciplinary misconduct offense, the university assigns a Conduct Officer to handle the case.
- The Conduct Officer must determine if the accusations are credible before issuing a formal charge. If you are charged, you'll receive official notice of that charge. This notice should explain the allegations and provide a complete list of your due process rights.
- The Conduct Officer then undertakes an investigation into the facts of the case. As part of this investigation, you should be allowed to give your side of the story. You can also offer evidence and suggest witnesses for the Officer to interview.
- Once they've completed their investigation, Conduct Officers submit their findings to a Student Conduct Board for a hearing. You always have the right to review all the evidence they have uncovered as you prepare for that hearing.
- At the hearing, you have the opportunity to make the case for your innocence or otherwise explain your actions. You may present physical evidence and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- The Conduct Board then employs the legal standard “preponderance of the evidence” to determine whether or not you are responsible for (guilt of) the offense. “Preponderance” requires that decision-makers find you guilty if they are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- WGU also maintains an appeals process. You must have grounds for appeal, though, some aspect of the case that inhibited you from receiving a fair hearing, such as a procedural error or evidence that had not yet come to light.
WGU does not allow students to bring attorneys with them to official judicial proceedings—investigative meetings and hearings. Do not let this dissuade you from contacting the Lento Law Firm attorney. We may not be able to sit beside you as you're being questioned, but we can help you develop your entire defense, from collecting evidence to suggesting questions for you to ask witnesses. You can also be sure we'll monitor everything that happens to ensure that you're treated fairly and that WGU respects all of your due process rights.
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.
