Andrews University (Andrews) is a private university established in 1874 in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Andrews is a Seventh-day Adventist university with a rich history, offering 130 undergraduate and 70 graduate majors to its nearly three thousand students. If you are a student at this institution, you are likely familiar with the University's high moral and behavioral expectations. Andrews emphasizes striving towards a wholesome lifestyle that reflects its heritage and spiritual mission. Students attending Andrews must abide by its code of conduct, which has a strict policy regarding prohibited behaviors, including hazing.
If you are accused of hazing at Andrews, you face serious consequences, including suspension and expulsion. These stay on your permanent record. Hazing can destroy your chances of staying enrolled and affect you in the short and long term, tarnishing your reputation. Your degree and future career are at stake if you are accused of hazing at Andrews. That is why it is essential to call the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team when facing these accusations. Call now for a thorough consultation at 888-535-3686, or send the team an online message to learn more about the next steps.
What is Hazing?
Hazing is any humiliating, degrading, dangerous, or harmful activity that a group of students puts a new student through to initiate them into the group. In universities, this activity is usually performed by sports teams, fraternities, and sororities as a way for the individual to prove that they belong. While some of these activities are relatively harmless, others can put the student's life in danger, such as asking them to drink excessively, forcing them to use controlled substances, or putting them in physical or psychological distress. Since some hazing activities can – and have – led to the death of students, hazing is now a banned activity in universities and schools nationwide. It is also a misdemeanor or felony crime in Michigan, which imposes fines and prison time of up to 15 years for the offense.
Hazing Andrews University
Hazing is mentioned in the Student Code of Conduct as a reckless, intentional act that comes with penalties, whether the group knew or should have known, that endangers fellow students' physical and emotional well-being as part of an initiation ritual. Students accused of hazing may face interim measures like no contact orders, campus bans, activity restrictions, and academic, class, work, committee, or housing reassignments pending an investigation outcome. The adjudication process follows that of violating the student code of conduct, and the University's investigation, hearing, and determination process is the same.
Adjudication Process at Andrews
The disciplinary process for hazing accusations is the responsibility of the University's president, who delegates authority to the provost to start adjudication. Hazing can be reported onsite to a Student Life Administrator or dean or electronically through the university website. Once a report is received, the Student Life dean or designee of the vice president for Campus & Student Life initiates a meeting with the student and starts the investigation process. The purpose of the meeting is to:
- To notify the student and summarize the allegation report
- Allows the accused student to respond, verbally and in writing, to the report, including letting the accused give their account and perspective of the event
- To uncover additional relevant information that allows the investigator to establish a factual pattern
- See whether the accused accepts responsibility for the accusations
- Go over the student conduct policies and adjudication process
- Trying to foster a restorative outcome
For serious allegations like hazing or if the accused student does not accept responsibility, the case is then referred to the Student Life Deans Council (SLDC). The SLDC is the conduct panel that decides the outcome of a hearing and determines the best response to the accusations. Students present their evidence and statements during the hearing, and the accusing party does the same. Accused students may have a support person from Andrews staff attend the hearing, especially those who allegedly committed serious offenses like hazing. However, they are not allowed to participate in the hearing proceedings.
Hazing accusations come with suspension and dismissal, with the possibility of a permanent on-campus ban. Contacting the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team is essential during this process. Despite being unable to participate directly, the team helps you thoroughly understand Andrews University policy to bolster your chances of a positive hearing outcome.
Appeals
Fortunately, Andrews allows students to appeal disciplinary sanctions on three grounds:
- The emergence of new information unavailable at the time of the hearing
- A substantive, procedural error during the original process
- The University's response is substantially disproportionate to the violation
The appeal is directed to the Campus & Student Life vice president within three business days of receiving the council's decision. Requests for appealing serious disciplinary action are reviewed by the Citizenship Appeals Committee, which can uphold the original decision, alter it, or alter the disciplinary response. The committee's decision is final, and its scope of authority is to determine whether the panel's decision is reasonable, Whether the process was fair and impartial, and whether it followed university protocol.
Contact the Lento Law Firm
Hazing accusations can destroy your chances of getting into a good university after being dismissed. It can also lead to irreparable reputational damage that affects your life beyond your time at college. With so much at risk and your future at stake, it's essential that you understand the gravity of these accusations. Never take on a hazing hearing alone – the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team walks you through the process professionally and confidently.
With years of experience working with students nationwide facing hazing accusations, the team understands the complexity of every case and is your shoulder to lean on when things are seemingly falling apart.
You dedicated years of effort and time to becoming a university student. Don't let hazing accusations destroy your life before it begins.
It's not too late to take action – message the Lento Law Firm today if you are accused of hazing accusations or call 888-535-3686 for a confidential discussion about what comes next.
