College students attending Massachusetts higher education institutions are required to abide by a set of rules known as a “code of conduct.” These rules are enforced with an effort to maintain a safe campus community. If a student is accused of violating this code, they will undergo a disciplinary proceeding to determine whether or not they are “responsible” for violating school policy.
An unfavorable outcome of a disciplinary proceeding can lead to serious consequences that can jeopardize a student's college career and can haunt them in their professional life. This is why students facing allegations of a disciplinary violation should seek representation from an experienced Massachusetts advisor.
Common Code of Conduct Violations
Alcohol
Of course, the majority of colleges and universities have rules that address alcohol use on campus. All institutions, for the most part, restrict alcohol consumption and possession for students under the age of 21 because it's illegal. Some schools have limitations in regard to alcohol regardless of age also. There will be consequences for providing alcoholic beverages for students who are underage.
Bullying
Bullying behavior is looked down upon by school administrators. It is defined as any verbal, physical, or electronic at that causes substantial emotional and/or physical harm to another student or group of students. Bullying behavior is considered pervasive and punishable if it interferes with another person's education, creates a threatening environment, or significantly interrupts the operation of the college.
Disorderly Conduct
A student who chooses to engage in behavior that can be perceived as disruptive, lewd, or indecent will be accused of committing disorderly conduct. It can include a broad range of different types of conduct. Some examples of disorderly conduct include loitering, disturbing the peace, being inebriated in public, and being reckless in a crowded area.
Drugs
The unlawful use, possession, purchase, or distribution of illicit drugs, controlled substances, or paraphernalia is prohibited on all campuses.
Hazing
Despite the controversy that perpetually surrounds greek life, hazing rituals are still a big part of campus culture. If it is discovered that a ritual involves conduct that humiliates, degrades, or endangers an individual, the students involved will be penalized.
Physical Misconduct / Assault / Violence
Fighting or any other types of unwanted physical violence aimed at another person is not welcomed on campus.
Theft
Theft is defined as the act of taking or attempting to take the property of another person without their permission. The circumstances in which the property was stolen determines the type of theft it is. Regardless of one's intentions, if the original owner of the property feels it was stolen, a student can be accused of theft.
Massachusetts Disciplinary Violation Advisor
The help of an attorney advisor is invaluable in the disciplinary process. National student defense attorney Joseph D. Lento has the skill, experience, and expertise to help you preserve your entitled rights under your school's policy. For a case evaluation or more information about his representation, contact him online or give him a call at 888-535-3686 today.
Massachusetts colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's disciplinary violation advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- American International College
- Amherst College
- Anna Maria College
- Assumption College
- Babson College
- Bard College at Simon's Rock
- Bay Path College
- Bay State College
- Becker College
- Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
- Bentley University
- Berklee College of Music
- Berkshire Community College
- Boston Architectural College
- Boston Baptist College
- Boston College
- Boston University
- Brandeis University
- Bridgewater State University
- Bristol Community College
- Bunker Hill Community College
- Cambridge College
- Cape Cod Community College
- Clark University
- College of Our Lady of the Elms
- College of the Holy Cross
- Curry College
- Dean College
- Eastern Nazarene College
- Emerson College
- Emmanuel College
- Endicott College
- Fisher College
- Fitchburg State University
- Framingham State University
- Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
- Gordon College
- Greenfield Community College
- Hampshire College
- Harvard University
- Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
- Holyoke Community College
- ITT Technical Institute Norwood
- ITT Technical Institute Wilmington
- Laboure College
- Lasell College
- Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
- Lesley University
- Longy School of Music
- Marian Court College
- Massachusetts Bay Community College
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- Massasoit Community College
- Merrimack College
- Middlesex Community College
- Montserrat College of Art
- Mount Holyoke College
- Mount Ida College
- Mount Wachusett Community College
- New England College of Business
- Newbury College Brookline
- Nichols College
- North Shore Community College
- Northeastern University
- Northern Essex Community College
- Pine Manor College
- Quincy College
- Quinsigamond Community College
- Regis College
- Roxbury Community College
- Saint John's Seminary
- Salem State University
- Sanford Brown College Boston
- School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston
- Simmons College
- Smith College
- Springfield College
- Springfield Technical Community College
- Stonehill College
- Suffolk University
- The Boston Conservatory
- The New England Conservatory of Music
- The New England Institute of Art
- Tufts University
- University of Massachusetts - Amherst
- University of Massachusetts - Boston
- University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
- University of Massachusetts - Lowell
- University of Phoenix - Boston Campus
- Urban College of Boston
- Wellesley College
- Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Western New England University
- Westfield State University
- Wheaton College
- Wheelock College
- Williams College
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Worcester State University
- Zion Bible College
College disciplinary violations can impact an accused student's life if not defended against properly and as early as possible during the disciplinary process, and Joseph D. Lento has a decade of experience passionately fighting for the future of his clients at colleges and universities throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead, prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a student advisor and educational consultant to students facing disciplinary cases in Massachusetts and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact student defense attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
