With nearly two centuries of history dating back to 1842, the University of Notre Dame is a renowned institution that every employer or graduate program would be happy to see on an application. Notre Dame fosters an environment where students are inspired to excel academically, socially, and personally. However, even in this supportive setting, students may face serious allegations—whether involving misconduct, substance use, or academic dishonesty—that could jeopardize their educational future.
The Lento Law Firm understands Notre Dame's disciplinary conduct processes and is the best choice to help you defend against serious misconduct accusations threatening your enrollment. Call our Student Defense Team at 888.535.3686 or contact us through our confidential online form to get help today.
University of Notre Dame's Catholic Identity and Conduct Expectations
As a private Catholic university, Notre Dame enforces distinctive Standards of Conduct rooted in the values of the Catholic Church. Many of the policies look like what you would expect from a place of higher education, but not all of them. Notably, policies that shape expectations around student behavior, relationships, and campus life differ from those of public colleges in Indiana. For example, Notre Dame places restrictions on sexual conduct and opposite-sex visitation to undergraduate housing, both of which aim to maintain a respectful and faith-based community.
Even though Notre Dame has different expectations than many other colleges, it doesn't mean they focus only on policing these unique policies. The most significant risks to students often come from run-of-the-mill policy violations, including:
- Abusive or Harassing Behavior: Engaging in unwelcome communication or conduct negatively impacts another's well-being.
- Disruptive Conduct: Actions that significantly disturb the University community or infringe on others' rights and safety.
- Alcohol and Drug Violations: Possession, use, or influence of alcohol or controlled substances that violate university policy. Notre Dame offers protections to students who report dangerous situations involving substances through its Expectation of Responsibility program.
- Violence or Threats: Any conduct causing harm or instilling fear of harm in others, including verbal or physical threats.
- Dishonesty or Forgery: Acts of deceit or exploitation that compromise integrity and trust, such as plagiarism or falsifying information.
- Hazing and Initiation Practices: Behaviors that endanger physical or psychological health, particularly within group or organizational settings on campus.
- Unauthorized Possession of Weapons: Prohibition of firearms, explosives, or other dangerous items on campus.
- Theft and Vandalism: Unlawful possession or intentional damage of university or personal property.
Even if misconduct allegations are false or overblown, you must be proactive in defending and clearing your name. Internal school processes don't use juries and high standards of evidence to find students responsible. Relying on the facts of the case alone may lead to severe disciplinary punishment and difficulty maintaining enrollment at the college.
If you are a Notre Dame student facing misconduct allegations, contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team today to receive assistance and guidance through the Conduct Process and protect your standing within the university community.
Notre Dame Disciplinary Misconduct Process
Even if someone enthusiastically accuses you of harassment, assault, hazing, or similar offenses at Notre Dame, university officials cannot immediately hand down punishment as they see fit. Instead, students have the right to undergo the University of Notre Dame's general University Conduct Process, which handles most misconduct offenses. The school also maintains a separate process designed specifically for intaking and investigating reports of sexual misconduct and discrimination.
To start, the Office of Community Standards begins an initial review of each report to determine if the alleged misconduct warrants further formal disciplinary action. For example, a student might report you for a visitor violation in the dorms due to misunderstanding the allowed timeframes. In this case, the Office may dismiss cases that clearly don't meet the level of policy violations. However, if they believe a violation may have occurred, they can continue with a case to three different outcomes: a Meeting, Conference, or Hearing. Each one provides a different level of response based on the incident's nature and severity; the outcome you are hoping for is a simple meeting with officials.
Meetings
A Meeting is an informal setting for minor violations or first-time offenses. Discussions focus on helping students understand their actions and responsibilities within the university community. While these meetings signal that the university is not too worried about the allegations, they can also escalate to conferences and hearings based on what officials discover during your discussion. When Notre Dame summons you for a meeting, contact the Lento Law Firm to learn what you should say and how you should say it to limit disciplinary sanctions.
Conferences
A Conference typically addresses more significant allegations, involves a more structured investigation and discussion, and allows the student to present relevant witnesses and evidence. Unfortunately, the Office of Community Standards only allows students to bring a University Support Person—a Notre Dame student, faculty, or staff member—to provide moral support. While attorneys cannot attend the conference or speak on your behalf, they can work with you before and after the conference to rehearse, regroup, and prepare for future proceedings if they escalate.
Hearings
If the alleged misconduct could lead to dismissal, a panel from the Office of Community Standards oversees the matter in a Hearing. Again, attorneys cannot represent accused students, even though these processes are highly stressful and complex. For instance, students will be able to receive witness lists before the hearing and meet with an Office of Community Standards representative to ask lingering questions about the case. Students who fail to take advantage of these opportunities before their hearing have a higher likelihood of receiving a negative outcome, and that's why working with the Lento Law Firm is so vital.
Every case is different, but the range of disciplinary outcomes available for students found responsible after a meeting, conference, or hearing include:
- Notification and Privilege Restrictions: Written or verbal warnings, on-campus housing probation, and limitations on campus or group privileges.
- Formative Outcomes: Workshops, written assignments, or restorative practices focused on the student's personal growth, most common after low-level meetings.
- Professional Referral Outcomes: Health-related assessments or educational programs addressing behavioral issues, such as alcohol or substance abuse education.
- Disciplinary Status Outcomes: The most severe forms of disciplinary punishment, including disciplinary probation, deferred dismissal, temporary dismissal, or permanent dismissal from the university.
The Lento Law Firm can only begin preparing you for your upcoming disciplinary proceedings after you call our Student Defense Team and tell us about your situation. Contacting us early helps you prepare a stronger defense against any unfair or false allegations.
Protect Your Enrollment at Notre Dame with the Lento Law Firm
Don't throw away your future and accept disciplinary punishment without fighting back. Graduating from Notre Dame will open innumerable opportunities, and the Lento Law Firm can help protect your enrollment from any misconduct allegations you face. Plus, students who receive an adverse decision can request a Case Review—Notre Dame's version of an appeal. Through a Case Review, you can challenge the outcome of your case or argue for lesser disciplinary sanctions. However, you only have seven days to appeal, and time starts ticking as soon as you receive a decision.
When facing a misconduct issue at Notre Dame, working with the right Student Defense Team can make all the difference. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or contact us through our website to begin your defense.
