Students of Stevens Institute of Technology are required to adhere to its Student Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is in place to uphold community values and safety for all members of the school's community. Failure to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct can result in being charged with violations. If a student is found to be responsible for one or more alleged violations, potentially severe sanctions will follow as consequence.
Disciplinary Process
The disciplinary process begins with a report of a violation being filed to the Offices of Student Life. This will launch an investigative process from the appropriate office. The Office of Residence Life will look into matters of violations which occur within residence halls. The Office of Student Life will resolve matters that occur on all other campus facilities and events. If a violation carries a potential penalty of expulsion or suspension, then the Office of Student Life will automatically be responsible for pursuing the case.
Once the report has been filed and the appropriate offices has received the necessary information, the office will begin a fact finding inquiry to make the proper determination as to whether or not a violation has been committed. This investigation may include a meeting with the student in question to discuss the incident itself. Students will be given an opportunity to accept responsibility for the violation; doing so will result in the administrator overseeing the case to provide a letter to the student that details the specific violations and any sanctions that will be taken against them. The student can also elect to dispute the accusations of the violations. If this is the case, the administrator will then continue the fact finding inquiries to determine whether or not a violation has occurred. This process can take up to 30 days. At the conclusion of the investigation, the student with be sent either a letter that details the violations they are being held responsible for along with the sanctions that are appropriate, or a letter that declares the student not responsible for violations.
Students are not granted any sort of trial, hearing or other proceeding that can be likened to the criminal justice system. Even so, receiving counsel from an attorney will be able to give students facing violations charges a better perspective on what they may face, and will also help students know how to speak to administrators when being questioned. With everything riding on an investigative procedure, it is of utmost importance to know the best way to discuss the events that led to alleged violations with the administrator, and also the best way to present evidence and approach the case.
Sanctions
Stevens Institute of Technology will impose disciplinary sanctions if an accused student is found responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct. More than one of the sanctions listed below may be imposed for a violation, and the full range of sanctions is available depending on the nature and severity of the violation. Possible sanctions include:
- Warning
- Community Service
- Research Paper / Project
- Presentation of a Workshop
- Educational Programs
- Loss of Privileges
- Restitution Damages / Services
- Referral for Counseling or Wellness Education
- Letter of Apology or Explanation
- Temporary or Permanent Barring from University Premises
- Residence Hall / Greek Housing Suspension
- Residence Hall / Greek Housing Expulsion
- University Suspension
- University Expulsion
In addition to any of the above, Stevens Institute of Technology will impose additional sanctions for academic integrity violations as deemed appropriate.
Regretfully, some Stevens Institute of Technology students, despite their and their parents' best intentions, proceed with the University disciplinary process without a full understanding of the possible consequences, both immediate and long-term. Those unfamiliar with the realities of the disciplinary process often do not realize until it may be too late that Stevens Institute of Technology imposes suspensions and expulsions as a sanction more often than would be expected; even in disciplinary matters that may seem to be less serious. The stakes are very high, and some consequences are unforeseen; even sanctions lesser than suspension or expulsion can greatly jeopardize a student's academic and professional goals.
Stevens Institute of Technology sanctions for Title IX sexual misconduct violations, which include sexual harassment and sexual assault, stalking, and intimate partner violence, will always be severe, and Title IX sexual misconduct violations can have lifetime consequences. Stevens Institute of Technology will also promptly impose interim measures as deemed necessary to protect the complainant before the final outcome of a Title IX investigation and disciplinary proceeding involving Dating, Relationship or Sexual Misconduct or Violence.
Experience Matters - An Experienced Attorney's Role When Representing a Saint Peter's University Student
Stevens Institute of Technology and a student's attorney may be able to work together to achieve an agreeable resolution before Student Code of Conduct disciplinary violations and/or academic misconduct charges are filed in certain instances. If charges have already been filed against a student, the accused student's attorney, also in certain instances, may be able to serve as an a liaison between Stevens Institute of Technology, the accused student, and other involved parties, in an effort to achieve a constructive resolution. Whether before or after Student Code of Conduct charges and/or academic integrity charges are filed, in working towards the prospect of an agreeable resolution, the extent of an attorney's involvement will be at the discretion of Stevens Institute of Technology. Every student's case is unique; an experienced attorney will understand what the University may be receptive to, and will approach the matter accordingly.
A attorney's involvement at Stevens Institute of Technology in matters involving Student Code of Conduct disciplinary charges and/or academic disciplinary charges should not be confused with Stevens Institute of Technology disciplinary cases involving Title IX sexual misconduct allegations. In Title IX student disciplinary proceedings, an experienced attorney must work both as the point of contact between the accused student and Stevens Institute of Technology as well as behind the scenes to defend against sexual misconduct and sexual assault allegations.
An experienced student discipline defense attorney will understand and use the most effective strategies when handling a student's case at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Appeals
In the event that the investigation results in the student being found responsible for any violations, students are welcome to make appeals on both the decisions themselves as well as the sanctions imposed. Students must make an appeal to the correct Senior Administrator. For violations that resulted in suspension or expulsion, appeals must be sent to the Vice President & Chief Administration Officer. All other appeals must be sent to the Vice President for Student Development. Regardless of who the appeal is being sent to, it must be within five days of receiving the decision and sanctioning letter from the investigation. A Stevens Institute of Technology appeal must also be made on the grounds that new information is present, the decision was arbitrary and capricious, or there were overly severe sanctions imposed. Once the Senior Administrator has made a decision, the appellate process is over. Because of the short deadline, preparations for the appellate process should begin as soon as the letter of decision is received.
If you or your student is currently facing disciplinary action from Stevens Institute of Technology, contact university student defense attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
