Academics are high on the list of concerns for most SBU students, but they aren't the only aspect to worry about. Out of the blue, your academic journey at Stony Brook University could be jeopardized by accusations of misconduct or violations of the university's policies. When your enrollment is at stake, it's challenging to know how to respond to exaggerated or false accusations. That's where the Lento Law Firm can step in to help.
If you're facing disciplinary proceedings at Stony Brook University, the Lento Law Firm Student Defense can provide you with a thorough misconduct defense strategy and support you through this extremely stressful period. Our attorneys have direct experience working within internal SBU procedures and know what you must do to protect against misconduct allegations. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or contact us through the website to protect your academic career at SBU.
Stony Brook University Student Conduct Policies
University policies are not criminal statutes, but they can have just as much impact on your life. SBU's Code of Student Responsibility outlines many conduct policies that, if violated, can lead to misconduct proceedings, including:
- Stalking
- Sexual Misconduct
- Academic Dishonesty
- Possession of Weapons and Dangerous Objects
- Hazing
- Alcohol and Drugs
- Discrimination
- Disruption of University Activities
Some offenses, like sexual misconduct, follow unique procedures distinct from the typical misconduct process. But whatever allegations you face, the Lento Law Firm is available to defend your name and help you avoid serious disciplinary punishment at SBU. Our Student Defense Team has worked extensively throughout the SBU and the greater New York University system, and we understand what is needed to protect your future.
Stony Brook University Misconduct Process
Time is of the essence whenever someone at SBU accuses you of violating official school policies, especially those involving harm to another person or the SBU community. If you are currently in the midst of SBU's misconduct procedures, call the Lento Law Firm as soon as possible. Our Student Defense Team will provide guidance from day one to help you avoid serious punishment and maintain your enrollment at SBU.
Report Intake and Investigation
SBU's Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards intakes reports of any alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct and reviews them to determine if further action or investigation is warranted. Officials can toss out obviously false or invalid reports at this stage, but if not, they will begin looking into the matter further.
Once a report is received and accepted, a Division of Student Affairs representative will conduct a thorough investigation. At this point, the aim of the investigation is still to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed with disciplinary action. Officials can also speak to the involved parties, and if a student fails to respond to requests, the university official may move forward without their input.
Even if you believe a report of misconduct made against you is completely false and malicious, it's still critical that you treat the situation with the seriousness it deserves. Failing to engage with SBU officials will weaken your case and make it harder to avoid disciplinary punishment that attaches to your permanent record. As soon as you learn about ongoing investigations, contact the Lento Law Firm and allow our Student Defense Team to assist going forward.
Decision to Proceed
After the investigation, disciplinary proceedings are not guaranteed. University officials can still decide that insufficient evidence exists to support the allegations, throwing out the case. However, if they believe the evidence supports the misconduct allegations, they can issue a notice of charges to the student and schedule either a Student Conduct Meeting or an Administrative Hearing.
In most cases, SBU students are provided just ten days to prepare for their meeting or hearing. Without experience in this disciplinary process, students can quickly become overwhelmed with no obvious path forward to defend their names. The Lento Law Firm has represented many SBU students and helped them build robust defenses to misconduct allegations, and we can help you, too. The faster you get in touch following your notice of charges, the greater your chance of protecting your academic future at SBU.
Meetings and Hearings
Misconduct cases at SBU can diverge depending on the facts of the case and the student's previous history:
- Student Conduct Meeting: A Student Conduct Meeting may be held between the student accused of misconduct and a university official for less severe cases. If an agreement is reached, sanctions may be ordered and assigned immediately.
- Administrative Hearing: An administrative hearing will be conducted if the case's sanctions can potentially include serious penalties such as suspension or expulsion. During this hearing, both the complainant and the student accused of misconduct have the opportunity to present evidence, provide witness statements, and respond to questions.
Students may choose to accept responsibility for the charges against them without proceeding to a formal hearing. The decision to sign a Hearing Waiver is final and not subject to appeal.
Deliberation and Decision
Following the hearing, the panel or presiding officer will deliberate privately to determine your responsibility based on the evidence provided. If found responsible, they begin the process of deciding appropriate sanctions that follow established SBU guidelines and policies.
Sanctions at SBU take into account all relevant factors, meaning that even unsuccessful defenses to misconduct allegations can pay dividends by limiting the severity of punishment. SBU officials deciding sanctions can consider your state of mind and situation at the time of the offense, your past student conduct record, and any other mitigating factor that can help your case. Sanctions at SBU most often take the form of:
- Informal Warnings
- Written Warnings
- Restitution
- Special Restrictions or Loss of Privileges
- University Probation
- Suspension or Expulsion from University Housing
- University Suspension
- University Expulsion
You will receive notice of your sanctions at the same time you receive notice of the outcome of your case. In addition to detailing the findings of the hearing and sanctions imposed, SBU will also provide details on how to submit an appeal.
Even if you face allegations of minor violations, it's important to defend your name and fight back whenever possible. Existing disciplinary sanctions tied to your record make future disciplinary cases even riskier, as they may increase the severity of future punishment. Call the Lento Law Firm and allow our team to guide you through your misconduct case at SBU to avoid sanctions to the greatest degree possible.
Appeals Process
Students found responsible for offenses at SBU can appeal their case if they can prove one of the following:
- There was a significant violation of student conduct procedures.
- New information, unavailable at the time of the hearing, is now available and could have substantially impacted the decision.
- Sanctions aredisproportionate in relation to the student's conduct record and violation.
SBU students must submit a written appeal within seven calendar days of receiving their case decision. Appeals must directly specify the grounds for appeal and provide substantial evidence arguing why the appeal should be granted. University officials will review the complete record of the case and potentially engage in limited fact-finding to make their decision, which students will receive in writing. If SBU students are unsuccessful in this first appeal, they cannot continue appealing and must comply with existing sanctions.
Call the Lento Law Firm for Misconduct Defense at Stony Brook University
Misconduct allegations can completely end your academic career at SBU and impact the rest of your life. When it comes to defending against misconduct accusations, you shouldn't settle for anything but the best. The Lento Law Firm has the knowledge and experience needed to support you in effectively defending against misconduct accusations at SBU. Call our Student Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online to get started. Whether you are in the middle of an investigation or looking to win an appeal, the Lento Law Firm can help.
