DeVry University is a for-profit university with headquarters in Naperville, Illinois, and campuses throughout the nation. Unlike newer for-profit schools, DeVry University has a history, starting in 1931 as DeForest Training School, renamed DeVry University in 2002. DeVry University Illinois has campuses identified as Chicago, Chicago Loop, Chicago O'Hare, Gurnee, Tinley Park, Elgin, Addison, Downers Grove, and Naperville. DeVry University Illinois enrolls about 17,000 students, about three-quarters of whom are part-time and one-quarter full-time. DeVry University's undergraduate degree programs span business, liberal arts, media arts, technology, and health, while it offers master's degrees in business, accounting, information management, network management, and public administration.
Like other for-profit higher-ed institutions, DeVry University advertises programs made affordable, flexible, and accessible by technology. Federal data, though, shows that for-profit schools like DeVry University, on average, have four-year graduation rates half or less than that of public and private nonprofit institutions. And like other for-profit schools, DeVry University has faced criticism for low retention and graduation rates, even paying $100 million to settle a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit alleging deceptive advertising practices. Schools must not lure students into programs only to unfairly dismiss them for failing to progress or on exaggerated misconduct charges while keeping tuition-loan proceeds.
Misconduct Policies at DeVry University
National academic-misconduct attorney and advisor Joseph D. Lento of the Lento Law Firm wants to educate you about your student rights at DeVry University. Don't let the university ignore its own policies and procedures only to treat you unfairly in a dismissal proceeding. Higher education prohibits various forms of academic misconduct. Read here for additional information about college academic misconduct. DeVry University's student handbook has academic-integrity, conduct-code, and sexual-misconduct and Title IX policies summarized below.
Academic Integrity. DeVry University's student handbook includes an academic-integrity policy that prohibits students from gaining an unfair advantage over other students. The policy expressly prohibits plagiarism, collaboration, unauthorized use of proprietary material, bribery, lying, and other misconduct, defining each and supplying examples. Progressive sanctions for first and subsequent violations include loss of credit for coursework, failing grade on the assignment, failing grade in the course, suspension, removal, administrative dismissal, and revocation of awarded course credits or degrees.
Conduct Code. DeVry University's student handbook includes a conduct code that prohibits a long list of acts, summarized as follows. Sanctions for violations include warning, probation, loss of services and privileges, suspension, restitution, or expulsion. The code of conduct prohibits the following:
- acts of dishonesty and fraudulence;
- disruption of teaching, research, or administration;
- abuse, threats, intimidation, and harassment;
- bullying and cyberbullying;
- attempted or actual theft or destruction of university property;
- hazing;
- gambling at university functions or using university equipment;
- unauthorized university entry or use of university keys;
- possession or distribution of controlled substances;
- possession or distribution of alcohol other than as university rules permit;
- disrupting university operations in demonstrations;
- disorderly, indecent, or lewd conduct;
- breaches of the peace;
- aiding or abetting another in violation of the conduct code;
- theft or abuse of computer time; and
- abuse of the disciplinary system.
Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Violations. A college or university receiving federal funding must comply with new federal Title IX regulations effective August 14, 2020. Read here about those recent Title IX interpretive changes. The current federal interpretation limits Title IX's reach to only these three forms of sexual misconduct, each of which The Title IX policy in DeVry University's student handbook, amended effective the same August 14, 2020 date, also prohibits:
- sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking;
- quid-pro-quo harassment (attempting to trade favors for sex); or
- unwelcome conduct so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive as to deny equal access to education based on sex.
In addition to a Title IX policy, DeVry University's student handbook includes a separate sexual or gender-based misconduct policy that expressly prohibits sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and gender-based harassment. The policy gives elaborate definitions to each prohibition. Sanctions for violation of the sexual-misconduct policy include written warning, training, probation, suspension, expulsion, suspension or ineligibility for services, limiting order, or ban from university property and events.
Misconduct Procedures at DeVry University
Procedures affect a disciplinary proceeding's outcome, especially when an accused student disputes the charge. Consider this outline of DeVry University's student-misconduct procedures for each of its student-conduct codes.
Academic Integrity. The academic-integrity policy within DeVry University's student handbook states that any person may report a violation to the course instructor who notifies and interviews the student to determine the truth of the charge. The instructor may address a violation within the instructor's role. Students who disagree with the instructor's finding or sanction may appeal to a Hearing Panel that the school selects. Either side may present witnesses at the hearing, and the panel may also consider witness statements. While the student may retain and bring an attorney advisor, the advisor must not participate. Only the panel may question witnesses. Either side may appeal the Hearing Panel's decision.
Conduct Code. The conduct code in DeVry University's student handbook lists these procedures for determining alleged violations. Misconduct reports go to the conduct administrator responsible for the activity. That official may hear the charges or refer the allegations to a conduct panel for a hearing. The accused student may retain an attorney advisor to attend the hearing, but the advisor does not participate or question witnesses. The conduct panel questions the witnesses that either side presents. Either side may propose witness questions to the panel. Either side may appeal the panel's decision to the president's designee.
Title IX Procedures. Colleges and universities receiving complaints about Title IX sexual misconduct must follow federal Title IX regulations when determining whether misconduct occurred. Changes to those federal Title IX procedures in 2020 guarantee the accused a hearing at which the accused has the right to attend and cross-examine the accuser and other witnesses to expose false allegations.
The sexual-misconduct policy in DeVry University's student handbook refers to the above conduct-code procedures for the resolution of sexual-misconduct and Title IX complaints. In doing so, however, it must provide the minimum procedures that the new federal Title IX regulations mandate, including an attorney advisor's cross-examination of witnesses at the hearing, if the accused student so requested and retains the advisor. While DeVry University's conduct-code procedure did not provide that cross-examination, an accused student should demand, arrange for, and expect it.
An Attorney-Advisor's Role
DeVry University's multiple codes and complex definitions and policies could intimidate any student, but don't let them do so to you. Among the several highly-experienced roles he serves, attorney Joseph D. Lento of the Lento Law Firm is a national academic-misconduct advisor who can help you navigate and successfully defend against academic misconduct charges. Federal Title IX regulations and DeVry University's procedures enable attorney-advisor Joseph Lento to evaluate allegations, identify and organize evidence to present, evaluate and challenge the complainant's evidence, cross-examine witnesses in a Title IX proceeding, and analyze and appeal adverse findings, all to defeat false or exaggerated charges.
Let an experienced attorney advisor play a critical role in your defense of student-misconduct charges so that those charges don't harm your reputation, education, and career. Thousands of college and university students nationwide have retained Joseph D. Lento at the Lento Law Firm to defend and defeat misconduct allegations and to address other school-related issues and concerns. Joseph D. Lento has the expertise to help you navigate, defend, and defeat a misconduct charge at DeVry University and to any any issue affecting you as a student. Call 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation, or use the online service.
