Boston College has a responsibility towards your student to keep them safe. As its Office of Institutional Diversity notes, Boston College works hard to “maintain a safe environment that supports its educational mission and is free from exploitation and intimidation.” As such, if any student brings a complaint regarding sexual harassment or sexual misconduct to the awareness of the administration, Boston College will act quickly to protect that student's safety.
Boston College also has a responsibility to protect the rights of accused students. If your child faces sexual misconduct allegations, among other rights, they have the right to a fair hearing, the right to comprehensive notifications regarding their charges, and the right to defend themselves as best they can.
If you're looking to help your child enjoy their bright future, you need to help them protect their rights. Hiring an experienced Title IX and sexual misconduct advisor is the best decision you can make to guide your family through Boston College's due process as successfully as possible.
Boston College and Recent Title IX Updates
2020 brought with it changes to Title IX, a federal law that influences the way that publicly-funded US universities manage sexual misconduct. Colleges in America have responded by updating their own sexual misconduct policies - slightly or fundamentally - to meet the new national guidelines.
Boston College steadfastly maintains that its goal is to keep its students safe. As the new national recommendations reduce, in some cases, the scope of Title IX investigations, Boston College will compensate by addressing discriminatory, dangerous, or harassing behavior through its Office of Student Conduct under more general student discipline regulations. As Boston College works to ensure that its policies are comprehensive enough to keep the student body suitably safe, it will update its misconduct processes. The current college policies include:
- A University Title IX Policy: This policy will act in line with the new national standards to keep Boston College students safe.
- A Student Sexual Misconduct Policy: This policy will help the college adjudicate any cases that don't fall under the updated Title IX guidelines
- A Discriminatory Harassment Policy: This policy will help prevent discrimination based on gender, religion, age, or other unfair practices.
According to Boston College's policies, any sexual contact without consent, as well as behaviors such as stalking, sharing sensitive images without consent, or improper verbal assault, constitute some examples of illicit and punishable sexual misconduct.
What is the Title IX or Sexual Misconduct Grievance Process at Boston College?
When one student brings allegations of sexual misconduct against another, that information goes to the named Title IX coordinator at Boston College. After this occurs, the administration will collect information about the alleged misconduct, notify all informed parties of the alleged charges, and schedule a meeting or formal hearing to adjudicate the matter further.
Boston College's code of conduct suggests that it will prioritize supportive measures over punitive ones. It's a good idea to prepare for harsher punishments, regardless of this sentiment. Schools tend to mete out severe consequences when it finds that students are responsible for illicit behavior.
Boston College may begin by recommending actions that do not impose an unduly harsh sentence upon offenders but still increase an environment of safety on campus. These measures may include:
- Re-education regarding the school's conduct processes
- Assistance with a new living arrangement
- Recommendation for mentoring or counseling
- Connection with medical services
However, if such a case arises that necessitates further force, Boston College reserves the right to remove a student from campus entirely or to take more decisive legal action. The school administration could, in these cases, mete out suspension, expulsion, or other far more severe repercussions.
It's important to realize that - even though the language Boston College uses in its documents may sound like this isn't a big deal - it is. Your student could experience very unpleasant immediate punishments, and harmful long-term consequences.
You need to make sure that your student's past actions don't ruin your child's future.
Do You Need Professional Assistance to Protect Your Child's Rights?
While you and your Boston College student may be technically able to navigate due process by yourselves, you don't have to - and, indeed, you shouldn't. As soon as you realize that your student stands accused of sexual misconduct, you need to consult with a legal professional. Why? Too much is at stake and only an experienced professional will be able to effectively navigate the challenging path ahead. Put simply, an experienced advisor will fight for a fair process and favorable outcome, and that is what a respondent needs when accused of sexual misconduct. In addition...
- Managing paperwork with the help of a legal advisor will be much easier. Dealing with disciplinary processes involves strategic statements and other documents that require careful consideration and on-time filing. Your legal advisor will know how to take care of these successfully.
- There's a lot at stake. The initial punishments that your student could receive represent only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the lifelong ramifications that they could face. Applying to further academic opportunities or scholarships with sexual misconduct on your student's record could render your student's future more difficult than it needs to be.
- You and your family already have a lot on your plate. You need to be able to support your student during this difficult time. Handing the legal matters off to a professional will leave you free to help your child and take care of your family.
When you choose to work with a legal professional, you'll be able to go through your student's investigation and hearing with as much confidence and peace of mind as possible.
Joseph D. Lento Is A Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Advisor Ready to Help You
Experience and expertise: That's what you need when you're trying to protect your child from a sloppy trial, undue consequences, or potential life-long ramifications. Fortunately, you're already in the right place. The Lento Law Firm has a reputation for aggressive defense and strategic representation. For years, Joseph D. Lento has worked hard to ensure that students all across the nation have access to fair trials and can enjoy the benefit of a strong case suggesting their innocence.
Moreover, when your family is experiencing its first brush with the disciplinary system at Boston College, it's not the time to try to take on overwhelming paperwork and intimidating meetings by yourself. When you're working with a smart, seasoned legal team, you'll have the confidence you need to support your student through this difficult time. Work with Joseph D. Lento to help your student work towards a successful outcome in their sexual misconduct case.
For more information, call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686 or contact us through our online form.
