College campuses can be touchy places these days. Say something in class that an instructor doesn’t like or wear a T-shirt that another student finds offensive, and it can quickly spiral into a very big conflict. What seems innocuous and harmless to you may not seem so to others, and in a flash, you can find yourself defending your right to remain on campus.
If you’ve suddenly found yourself accused of disciplinary misconduct over something you’ve said at Syracuse University, don’t try to handle the situation on your own. The SU disciplinary process can be complicated and difficult to navigate. Issues of free speech are always tricky to deal with. You need someone on your side with a background and experience in protecting student rights.
The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team was founded to do exactly that. We care about your future, and we want to make sure you’re treated fairly. To that end, we know how SU procedures work and how to use them to your benefit. We know what makes for a strong student defense. We have experience representing student interests.
What can we do to help with your case? Call 888-535-3686 today to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Free Speech at Syracuse University
Syracuse University likes to maintain that it’s a bastion of unrestricted free speech. The “Syracuse Statement on Free Expression and Inquiry,” for instance, suggests that even when we find speech offensive, the best way to counter it is with our own reasoned arguments.
And yet, in this same document, the university asserts that one of its chief values is an “inclusive campus environment.” Fair enough. These two principles—free speech and inclusivity can coexist in some instances. What happens, though, when they are at odds? What happens to your free speech rights when someone on campus decides they’re offended by what you say.
In fact, the Syracuse Statement goes on to offer a number of caveats to its apparent embrace of the First Amendment. The university promises, for instance, to restrict
- Speech that incites violence
- Speech that harasses
Importantly, both of these restrictions are open to interpretation. In addition, SU insists it has the right to “reasonably regulate” the time, place, and manner of your “free” expression.
Ultimately, the more closely you examine the Syracuse Statement, the less it seems like a freedom manifesto and the more it seems like a defense of violating First Amendment rights. Anyone who decides you’ve offended them can accuse you and reasonably expect the university to back them up.
You need someone in your corner as well. That’s what the LLF National Law Firm is here for. To protect your rights and your interests.
The Student Code of Conduct at Syracuse
Obviously, there’s nothing in the Syracuse Code of Conduct that says you can be punished just because someone doesn’t like what you’ve said. However, there are Code violations that, when stretched, can punish students for what they say. For instance,
- Disorderly Conduct: Under some circumstances, an act of speech can involve disorderly conduct. “Disorderly” often simply means behavior the school doesn’t like.
- Threats: As you would expect, the university bars all types of threats against individuals or the university itself. Here again, however, what counts as a “threat” is sometimes a matter of interpretation.
- Harassment: Federal and state laws protect individuals from discrimination and harassment based on protected categories such as race, age, sex, national origin, disability, and religion. The Syracuse Code of Conduct goes further, however, including a “Bias Enhancement” clause. Basically, any Code violation that involves “bias” against a protected class of individuals can result in “more substantial sanctions.”
The university takes these offenses seriously. Any one of them can lead to suspension or even dismissal. Even if other sanctions are relatively light, if they show up on your transcript, it puts your future in jeopardy. Don’t take risks. The moment someone complains about your words or actions, contact the LLF National Law Firm to find out how we can help.
Syracuse University Disciplinary Procedures
Luckily, in addition to a list of potential offenses, the SU Code of Conduct also provides you with some important due process protections, protections designed to ensure justice is done in your case.
Here’s what you can expect from the process.
- All disciplinary misconduct complaints are handled by the University Student Conduct System. This system’s first responsibility when it receives an allegation is to determine whether that allegation is credible.
- Its second obligation is to provide you with notification of any charges against you. This notification should include a description of the allegations and a list of your due process rights.
- Your most important right is the right to a presumption of “not responsible” (innocence). This means the burden of uncovering evidence rests solely on the university. SU must conduct a thorough investigation, and it must give you the opportunity to give your side of the story.
- You also have the right to review any evidence investigators uncover as you prepare for the next phase of the case: a hearing.
- Hearings take place before a three-member University Conduct Board made up of students, faculty, and staff. Both sides have an opportunity to offer evidence and call witnesses to testify. You also have the right to raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
- Board decisions are based on majority opinion and must rely on the “preponderance of the evidence.” Basically, members must be convinced that it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- If you are found not responsible, your case is over. If you’re found responsible, you can file an appeal. However, you must be able to show that you were denied a fair chance to make your case.
Your LLF National Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you during the investigation and hearing. They can, however, prepare you to speak for yourself. From the beginning, they’ll make sure you understand the disciplinary process and that you’re ready for every phase of that process. They’ll help you uncover evidence and coach you in talking with investigators. They’ll draft your hearing presentation and suggest questions for witnesses. Through it all, they’ll make sure SU respects your rights and that you get a fair and just resolution to your case.
Trust the LLF National Law Firm
If you’ve been accused of some type of disciplinary misconduct over something you’ve said, you don’t want to try to handle the situation on your own. Your educational and professional futures are at stake.
The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team is committed to your future and to ensuring that SU treats you fairly. We’ve helped hundreds of students deal with all types of misconduct charges. We’re always on your side and willing to fight hard on your behalf.
To find out more about how we can help, contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686, or fill out our online questionnaire.