Boston College (BC) is a private Catholic Jesuit research university established in 1863 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. BC is a Tier 1 research university with over 15,000 students in various majors. If you are a student at BC, you can benefit from the university's solid educational standards and high reputation, opening many doors upon graduation to the career of your choice. However, it is precisely due to this high reputation and responsibility towards the public that BC enforces strict rules against misconduct. If you are accused of wrongdoing, the penalties may be more severe than expected, including suspension and expulsion.
Every student makes mistakes – it's part of the learning process, after all, especially when you are within an environment that centers on teaching and developing. However, some mistakes have bigger consequences than you may think, leading to issues that affect you in the short and long term. Besides reputation damage, you may find it challenging to start over, even if you choose another university. With so much that can go wrong and your future on the line, it's essential to work smart and speak to the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team. Call the team today at 888-535-3686 for more information, or send a message through this link to learn more about your options.
Behavioral Expectations at Boston College
According to the Student Handbook at BC, students are responsible for acting according to institutional rules and policies. BC emphasizes integrity, making the right decisions, and having self-accountability for one's actions. The handbook mentions several cases where a student may be subject to sanctions, including:
Bias-motivated conduct, such as behavior and language that demonstrates bias against people due to their race, gender, nationality, religion, or ethnicity
- Discriminatory harassment
- Hazing
- Physical violence or contact that results in or was intended to result in harm
- Retaliation against individuals filing a complaint or participating in an investigation
- Making threats or taking actions that lead to stigmatization, intimidation, or compromise another person's emotional or mental well-being
- Sexual Misconduct
- Not respecting the university's property and resulting in damage
- Theft or possession of stolen university property
- Causing community disturbances
- Engaging in disorderly conduct that is reasonably likely to disturb the peace
- Failure to comply with the requests and directives of university officials
- Fire-related misconduct
- Gambling
- Misrepresentation of identity by altering or falsifying an ID, obtaining, conspiring to attain, or possessing a fake ID
- Sexual activity outside marriage due to the institution's emphasis on Catholic principles
- Smoking
- Commercial activity and solicitation
- Unauthorized entry
- Violations of local, state, or federal law
- Possessing weapons, dangerous devices, or firearms
Engaging in any of these actions may lead to sanctions that have a detrimental effect on your future. Even if you believe your misconduct charge is not serious, taking on the matter or panel alone is a recipe for disaster. Without the proper guidance from the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team, you risk increasing the odds of a less favorable outcome.
Adjudication Process at BC
The handbook states that BC has multiple types of student conduct processes, depending on the circumstances of each case. Usually, the Dean or their designee determines the most appropriate process to follow, depending on the complexity or severity of the issue and the evidence. The four types of processes are:
- Administrative Hearings
- Student and Administrative Hearing Boards
- Sexual Misconduct Procedures
- Title IX Harassment Procedures
For misconduct issues unrelated to sexual harassment, you will either go through an administrative or student and administrative hearing board.
Administrative Hearings
Administrative Hearings consist of scheduling one or more meetings with a single hearing officer, who adjudicates disciplinary allegations. This officer may meet with both parties and their witnesses separately. Moreover, the issue may be resolved through a single hearing with this officer. Although these hearings are more individualized, students have the right to hear the allegations against them, including witnesses and viewing the evidence against them.
After an Administrative Hearing ends, a conduct matter may be held for further investigation, the matter may be referred to a hearing board, or the case may be resolved through the hearing officer.
Hearing Board
BC has two types of hearing boards: The Student Conduct Board and the Administrative Hearing Board. The primary purpose of both is to determine responsibility and issue sanctions. The main difference is that the Student Conduct Board is comprised of students. At the same time, the administrative board has administrators, faculty, and staff members from the university.
During the hearings, evidence is presented, along with witnesses and the officers hearing both sides of the issue. Once the hearing ends, the members vote and recommend sanctions.
Sanctions
Sanctions vary depending on the severity of the violation and whether the student has any past issues. The most common sanctions at BC include:
- Conversational resolution is usually reserved for first-time offenses
- An administrative warning
- Probationary status
- Disciplinary probation
- University probation
- Deferred university suspension
- Deferred university dismissal
- University Suspension
- University Dismissal
Fortunately, students also have the right to appeal. They must be based on specific grounds, however, such as procedural violations or the existence of new information previously unavailable. Appeals must be sent to the Appeals Officer, who reviews the matter and makes a final determination.
Contacting the Lento Law Firm
Being a university student is a new experience with added responsibilities and expectations. Although you did not enroll at BC to commit a violation, mistakes happen, leading to repercussions you may not have thought possible. If you receive notice of a potential hearing for behavioral misconduct at BC, don't wait until you can no longer take action. Contact the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team.
The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team has years of experience working with students nationwide who are facing accusations of misconduct. With their dedication, knowledge, and passion for justice, the team works tirelessly by your side for the best possible outcome for your case.
Don't let accusations of behavioral violations lead to the end of your time at BC and starting over. You owe it to yourself to work with a team of professionals at your side every step of the way.
If you or someone you love faces misconduct accusations at BC, hope is available the sooner you act. Call the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team today at 888-535-3686 or message the team for more information about approaching your hearing.
