The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill holds the title of being the oldest university in the United States to offer classes and graduate students as a public college, with an educational history dating back to 1795. To still be seen as such a prominent and respected university over 200 years later, it must be doing something right. Students who attend UNC-Chapel Hill should be proud of their college's storied history and the hard work they put into securing their admission.
However, it's important to note that UNC maintains such a stellar reputation because of the high standards they expect of students. When the school learns that an enrolled student is breaking school policies through a complaint or report, they often initiate disciplinary proceedings with the potential for massive punishment. If you currently face misconduct accusations at UNC, entering these disciplinary processes without the proper support is extremely daunting and risky.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team wants to help keep you enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill with a clean disciplinary record. Our focus is on protecting your rights and building a strong defense to end disciplinary proceedings before they result in severe disciplinary sanctions. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or contact us through our website to begin crafting your defense.
Risks of Disciplinary Sanctions at UNC-Chapel Hill
If UNC-Chapel Hill accuses you of breaking any Student Code of Conduct policies, school officials can begin disciplinary investigations, which may ultimately lead to serious sanctions and consequences. Sanctions vary based on the type of violation, as well as your previous disciplinary history, with the most common sanctions including:
- Written Warnings
- Disciplinary or Academic Probation
- Temporary Suspension
- Permanent Suspension or Expulsion
- Loss of Privileges
- Educational Requirements and Mandated Classes
- Housing Restrictions
Even if some sanctions don't directly place your enrollment at risk, they will make your life and educational journey much more challenging than they would otherwise be. The Lento Law Firm will work to minimize these sanctions by preparing you for all upcoming UNC disciplinary processes.
UNC-Chapel Hill's Typical Disciplinary Processes
The disciplinary procedures at UNC-Chapel Hill ensure fairness while addressing potential violations of the Code of Conduct. The steps of UNC's disciplinary process you can expect for routine misconduct cases include:
- An intake of reports of alleged misconduct submitted by any individual to the Office of Student Conduct.
- An investigation conducted by the office to gather relevant evidence and assess the situation.
- A notification to the student of the charges and potential outcomes.
- An administrative hearing is needed to determine responsibility if the case has not already been dismissed or adjudicated.
- A decision of sanctions for students found to be responsible for the violation.
Even though these disciplinary processes can be scary and overwhelming, students at UNC are also afforded many rights to keep the process fair. For example, students are presumed innocent, and all hearings ideally remain impartial and non-combative. Students also have the opportunity to present evidence and defend themselves against any accusations they face in hearings. Plus, if students beat their charges, UNC cannot reopen the same case in the future.
However, just because UNC's Student Code of Conduct guarantees these rights doesn't mean officials will respect them in the real world. The Lento Law Firm will review your case and provide ongoing assistance to ensure your rights are protected throughout the process; if not, we can begin preparations for an appeal.
Appealing Disciplinary Decisions at UNC-Chapel Hill
If you want to challenge the outcome of your disciplinary proceedings, you must file an appeal—quickly. UNC allows appeals within thirty days, and if you don't act immediately, you may not have time to prepare a proper appeal and change the outcome of your case. If you didn't work with the Lento Law Firm during your previous misconduct defense and disciplinary process, get in touch as soon as possible to protect your future.
You can only appeal your case for specific reasons, such as procedural errors, disproportionate sanctions, or decisions not supported by the evidence presented. Appeals are primarily reviews of the original hearing's record, not necessarily a place to reargue your case. Successful appeals must point out where errors occurred and why they warrant adjustments to the original decision, whether a new disciplinary hearing or a dismissal of sanctions.
Appeals are tough to win, but if your case truly has mistakes or errors that warrant a review, they can forever change the trajectory of your enrollment at UNC-Chapel Hill. Contact the Lento Law Firm as quickly as you can to allow our Student Defense Team ample time to craft a solid appeal, given your situation.
Increased Risks Associated with Sexual Misconduct Accusations at UNC
UNC-Chapel Hill's commitment to maintaining a safe, equitable, and welcoming environment for all is reflected in its robust policies addressing sexual misconduct. If you are accused of sexual misconduct at UNC-Chapel Hill, you can expect similar disciplinary processes with a few key differences.
Oversight for sexual misconduct cases is managed by UNC's Title IX Office as well as the Equal Opportunity and Compliance (EOC) Office. The reports of sexual misconduct they investigate and discipline include:
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual assault
- Domestic violence
- Stalking
- Complicity
- Sexual exploitation
- Retaliation
Because sexual misconduct cases are typically more dangerous and impactful on victims, the associated sanctions are usually more severe than most other violations of school policies. Most often, students found responsible for sexual misconduct violations can expect expulsion, suspension, no-contact orders, removal from university housing, or probation as punishment.
Appeals for sexual misconduct cases differ, and students must appeal within an extremely tight five-day window. Call the Lento Law Firm immediately following your case if you intend to file an appeal and avoid disciplinary punishment. Our Student Defense Team is intimately familiar with UNC-Chapel Hill's Title IX and prohibited discriminatory policies, and we will work hard to identify procedural errors in your case to win on appeal.
Call the Lento Law Firm Today to Defend Against Misconduct Accusations at UNC-Chapel Hill
Misconduct accusations can very quickly put your education and future career in a precarious position. Long before your situation escalates to formal hearings or appeals, get in touch with the Lento Law Firm and learn how we can help. Our attorneys have helped thousands of students across the country, including at UNC, clear their names after false or exaggerated misconduct accusations come their way.
Call our Student Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or complete our secure, confidential online form to start your defense against misconduct allegations at UNC.
