College students attending Virginia higher education institutions are required to abide by a set of rules known as a “code of conduct.” These rules are upheld 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 this accusation is valid.
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 Virginia advisor.
Common Code of Conduct Violations
Alcohol
The majority of colleges and universities have rules pertaining to alcohol use on campus. All institutions, for the most part, restrict alcohol consumption and possession for students under the age of 21, and some may have restrictive rules in place concerning alcohol use regardless of age. At almost every school, however, there are consequences for providing alcoholic beverages for students who are underage.
Bullying
Bullying is defined as any verbal, written, physical or electronic act that causes substantial mental or physical harm to another student or group of students. If this behavior happens to interfere with another person's education, creates a threatening environment, or is significantly interrupting the operation of a college, it is categorized as bullying, and students involved will be punished.
Disorderly Conduct
A student who chooses to engage in behavior that can be perceived as lewd, disruptive, or indecent will be accused of committing disorderly conduct. This behavior does not have to be intentional to be found responsible. As long as the action disturbs the peace on campus, a student will most likely be sanctioned for this.
Drugs
The illegal use, possession, purchase, or distribution of illicit drugs, controlled substances, or paraphernalia is prohibited on all campuses.
Hazing
Hazing rituals are still a big part of campus culture today. These rituals are only considered a violation of school policy when they get out of hand. 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 unwanted physical violence against another person is not welcomed on campus.
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual misconduct, in all of its forms, is rampant in higher education. This is why any actions that could potentially constitute sexual misconduct is an outright violation of every school's code of conduct, and most importantly, federal law Title IX.
Theft
Theft is defined as the act of taking or attempting to take the property of another person without their permissions. There are numerous types of theft that are characterized by the circumstances in which something is stolen.
Virginia Disciplinary Violation Advisor
For respondents especially, the assistance 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.
Virginia 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:
- Advanced Technology Institute
- Argosy University Washington D.C.
- Averett University
- Averett University Non Traditional Programs
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance Chesapeake
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance Manassas
- Bethel College
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Bluefield College
- Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
- Bridgewater College
- Bryant & Stratton College Hampton
- Bryant and Stratton College Richmond
- Bryant and Stratton College Virginia Beach
- Central Virginia Community College
- Centura College Chesapeake
- Centura College Newport News
- Centura College Norfolk
- Centura College Richmond Main
- Centura College Richmond Westend
- Centura College Virginia Beach
- Chamberlain College of Nursing
- Christopher Newport University
- College of William and Mary
- Dabney S Lancaster Community College
- Danville Community College
- DeVry University Virginia
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Eastern Shore Community College
- ECPI University
- Emory and Henry College
- Everest College Arlington
- Everest College Chesapeake
- Everest College McLean
- Everest College Newport News
- Ferrum College
- Fortis College Norfolk
- Fortis College Richmond
- George Mason University
- Germanna Community College
- Hampden Sydney College
- Hampton University
- Hollins University
- ITT Technical Institute Chantilly
- ITT Technical Institute Norfolk
- ITT Technical Institute Richmond
- ITT Technical Institute Salem
- ITT Technical Institute Springfield
- J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
- James Madison University
- Jefferson College of Health Sciences
- John Tyler Community College
- Liberty University
- Longwood University
- Lord Fairfax Community College
- Lynchburg College
- Mary Baldwin College
- Marymount University
- Miller Motte Technical College Lynchburg
- Mountain Empire Community College
- National College Salem
- New River Community College
- Norfolk State University
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Old Dominion University
- Patrick Henry Community College
- Paul D Camp Community College
- Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Potomac College Herndon
- Radford University
- Randolph College
- Randolph Macon College
- Rappahannock Community College
- Regent University
- Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary
- Roanoke College
- Saint Pauls College
- Sanford Brown College Tysons Corner
- Shenandoah University
- Skyline College Roanoke
- South University Richmond
- South University Virginia Beach
- Southeast Culinary & Hospitality College
- Southern Virginia University
- Southside Virginia Community College
- Southwest Virginia Community College
- Stratford University
- Sweet Briar College
- The Art Institute of Virginia Beach
- The Art Institute of Washington
- The Art Institute of Washington Northern Virginia
- The University of Virginia's College at Wise
- Thomas Nelson Community College
- Tidewater Community College
- University of Management and Technology (The)
- University of Mary Washington
- University of Phoenix Northern Virginia Campus
- University of Phoenix Richmond Campus
- University of Richmond
- University of Virginia Main Campus
- Virginia College
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Highlands Community College
- Virginia Intermont College
- Virginia Military Institute
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Virginia State University
- Virginia Union University
- Virginia University of Lynchburg
- Virginia Wesleyan College
- Virginia Western Community College
- Washington and Lee University
- Westwood College Annandale
- Westwood College Arlington Ballston
- Wytheville Community 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 Virginia and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact student defense attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
