Misconduct allegations at Case Western Reserve University have the potential to ruin your reputation, make it harder to succeed academically, or even result in expulsion from the university. Every student deserves the right to defend their name when misconduct allegations come their way, and the Lento Law Firm wants to help if you are in a similar situation.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has extensive experience in university proceedings, and we can help you respond effectively to any accusations alleging CWRU policy violations. Call today at 888-535-3686 or complete our confidential online form to start your defense.
Prohibited Conduct and Sanctions at Case Western Reserve University
CWRU students are responsible for following the university's Student Code of Conduct throughout their college career, whether the behavior occurs on or off campus. While CWRU has broad authority to discipline students, the most common behaviors and violations they punish include:
- Hazing
- Acts of Violence
- Weapons Possession
- Arson and Fire Safety Violations
- Drug and Alcohol Violations
- Academic Misconduct
- Sexual Misconduct
- Theft, Vandalism, and Property Damage
- Technology Misuse
- Disruption of University Activities
CWRU often works with law enforcement for violations of law, but student disciplinary processes remain wholly separate from criminal proceedings. In fact, many of the punishments for policy violations can be more severe and impactful to a student's future than criminal punishment. The most common and significant sanctions include:
- Notifications and warnings of a violation are retained in the university's conduct record.
- Temporary or permanent removal from university housing, sometimes with a ban on visiting residential areas.
- Assignments or community service to encourage learning and reflection.
- Requirement to undergo a mental health evaluation.
- Temporary separation (up to 24 months) or permanent expulsion from the university.
- Revocation or withholding of degrees.
Without vigorously defending from accusations of behavioral misconduct, there is a significant risk to your future enrollment. Even minor violations can bring impactful sanctions if you have a previous disciplinary history or break disciplinary probation. Call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team today if CWRU is investigating potential misconduct and placing your future in jeopardy.
Disciplinary Processes at Case Western Reserve University
CWRU cannot issue sanctions for misconduct without first investigating the matter through structured disciplinary processes. The Lento Law Firm can assist you from day one of your disciplinary proceedings to prevent mistakes or false misconduct accusations from permanently affecting your future.
Intake and Investigation
Anyone can submit a report of misconduct to the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards. This office conducts a preliminary review to determine if the report falls under the Student Code of Conduct and warrants further action.
If the case proceeds, an investigator gathers evidence and compiles relevant details for use in later disciplinary proceedings. Insufficient evidence leads to case dismissal, while credible findings advance the matter to the appropriate resolution process.
Case Path Determination
The Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards decides what type of disciplinary processes to use by investigating certain aspects of the violation:
- Severity: Do potential sanctions include disciplinary probation, university separation, or expulsion?
- Impact: Did the incident significantly affect the university community or other individuals?
For minor violations where no criterion applies, the case proceeds through the Administrative Hearing Process. If either criterion applies, the Formal Hearing Process is used instead.
Pre-Hearing Preparation
In both processes, students accused of misconduct receive at least five business days' notice of their hearing date, time, and location. Although this is a short period, the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can use their first-hand knowledge of internal CWRU processes to prepare students for upcoming procedures.
Interim Measures
Case Western Reserve University can utilize temporary actions before the formal conduct process concludes if they believe it will help maintain order or keep the campus safe from further harm. These measures include:
- Temporary Suspension
- Housing or Activity Restrictions
- Immediate No Contact Directives
- Mental Health Evaluations
Interim measures remain in place until the case is resolved, at which point permanent sanctions may supersede them.
Hearings
In the Administrative Hearing Process, a single hearing officer oversees the proceedings. Students accused of misconduct can present evidence, make statements, and respond to allegations. Witnesses may also provide testimony if deemed relevant by the Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards.
In Formal Hearing Processes, a hearing board typically composed of three trained members oversees the disciplinary case. The overall process, however, remains similar, and students have the burden of defending themselves from accusations of misconduct.
In both types of hearings, attorneys from the Lento Law Firm can assist students by advising during proceedings. However, attorneys cannot play a direct role, and students must speak for themselves. Regardless, working with an attorney gives students at CWRU a better chance of avoiding disciplinary punishment or securing a favorable outcome.
Deliberation and Decision
In both processes, school officials deliberate in private and use the preponderance of the evidence standard to decide the outcome. Unlike the "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt" standard you might be familiar with, this lower standard means that officials only need to believe it is more likely than not that you violated CWRU policies.
Appeals Process
Students at CWRU can appeal disciplinary decisions within five business days of receiving their outcome. Appeal petitions must be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards, who then review the matter to see if it meets one of three grounds for appeal:
- Procedural Error: Established procedures were not followed, significantly impacting the outcome.
- New Evidence: Relevant information unavailable during the initial hearing could alter the decision.
- Disproportionate Sanctions: The penalties do not align with the severity of the violation.
If the appeal is granted for procedural errors or new evidence, the reviewing officials return the case to the original hearing board. If the sanctions are too severe, they can instead change sanctions without a new hearing.
Appeals are limited in scope, and if you want to succeed in your appeal, you need detailed, thorough argumentation that clearly highlights errors or issues in your disciplinary case. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can assist in gathering evidence and identifying potential grounds for appeal that help you avoid disciplinary punishment at CWRU.
Misconduct Defense at Case Western Reserve University
Misconduct allegations should not define your future, especially if they are overblown or false. The Lento Law Firm can represent and advise you from the beginning of your disciplinary case to help prevent misconduct allegations from threatening your enrollment or making it harder to advance in your academic career. Call our Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form to begin your misconduct defense at CWRU.
