The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs allow students to more affordably pursue a college education while also beginning a military career. Participants commit to a period of military service where they may become a commissioned officer in the Army, Navy, Air Force, etc. Based on these agreements, the government will pay a portion of their college tuition and other related expenses.
ROTC agreements contain many requirements including standards for academic performance, weight and physical fitness, a code of conduct, and others. Those who fail to satisfy these requirements may potentially face disenrollment from the ROTC program. Disenrollment can result in mandatory completion of their active-duty commitment and repayment of any financial compensation received for tuition and expenses.
About Title IX Violations
Established in 1972, Title IX was enacted by the U.S. Department of Education. It was intended to ensure that all schools develop policies that address sexual discrimination in their educational environments. All schools must name a Title IX coordinator that is responsible for promptly investigating all allegations promptly and fairly.
Acts of sexually-based discrimination may impede someone's access to programs or benefits based on their gender or sexual orientation. Violent acts such as sexual assault or coercion are strictly prohibited by Title IX provisions. Acts of sexual harassment are also prohibited. These may include stereotyping or inappropriate slurs against those whose sexual identity does not conform to societal norms.
The process will generally culminate with all parties attending a hearing where evidence is presented and witness testimony may be heard. To prove the allegations, the evidence must satisfy a “preponderance of the evidence” standard. Recent federal guidelines regarding Title IX were expanded to allow institutions to also use a “clear and convincing” evidentiary standard.
Students that are found to have committed a Title IX violation are likely to be suspended or dismissed from the school. These acts of sexually-based misconduct also constitute a breach of contract according to ROTC guidelines; therefore, these students can expect to subsequently face the disenrollment process.
Benefits of Retaining a Seasoned Student Rights Attorney
Students that are alleged to have violated Title IX guidelines and/or breaching an ROTC contract must promptly seek assistance from experienced counsel. In Title IX actions, all parties can select an advisor that will support and accompany them during the proceedings. Choosing an experienced attorney to serve in this role may result in some of the following benefits:
- Your attorney will meticulously review the evidence and seek to identify weaknesses or inconsistencies
- To ensure that the unique policies and procedures of the educational institution are properly interpreted
- Your attorney may engage in negotiations with the administration to amicably resolve the matter
- To ensure you are sufficiently prepared to confidently make statements and deliver effective responses to questions in hearings
Defense Advisor Represents ROTC Students in Georgia Accused of Misconduct
The ramifications of a Title IX violation can be devastating to your future goals. Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento is well-versed in this specific realm of legal practice. He will create a broad strategy of defense on your behalf. Please contact the office at (888) 535-3686 today.
Georgia colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your ROTC student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools (schools in bold have Army, Navy, and/or Air Force ROTC programs or are affiliated with schools where students can take ROTC classes):
- Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
- Agnes Scott College
- Albany State University
- Albany Technical College
- Altamaha Technical College
- American InterContinental University Atlanta
- Andrew College
- Argosy University Atlanta
- Armstrong Atlantic State University
- Athens Technical College
- Atlanta Metropolitan College
- Atlanta Technical College
- Augusta State University
- Augusta Technical College
- Bainbridge College
- Bauder College
- Berry College
- Beulah Heights University
- Brenau University
- Brewton Parker College
- Brown College of Court Reporting
- Brown Mackie College Atlanta
- Carver Bible College
- Central Georgia Technical College
- Chattahoochee Technical College
- Clark Atlanta University
- Clayton State University
- College of Coastal Georgia
- Columbus State University
- Columbus Technical College
- Covenant College
- Dalton State College
- Darton College
- DeVry University Georgia
- East Georgia College
- Emmanuel College
- Emory University
- Everest Institute Norcross
- Fort Valley State University
- Fortis College
- Gainesville State College
- Georgia Christian University
- Georgia College & State University
- Georgia Gwinnett College
- Georgia Highlands College
- Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus
- Georgia Military College Atlanta Campus
- Georgia Military College Augusta Campus
- Georgia Military College Columbus Campus
- Georgia Military College Milledgeville Campus
- Georgia Military College Valdosta Campus
- Georgia Military College Warner Robins Campus
- Georgia Northwestern Technical College
- Georgia Perimeter College
- Georgia Piedmont Technical College
- Georgia Southern University
- Georgia Southwestern State University
- Georgia State University
- Gordon College
- Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service
- Gwinnett College Lilburn
- Gwinnett Technical College
- Herzing University Atlanta
- Interactive College of Technology Chamblee
- ITT Technical Institute Atlanta
- ITT Technical Institute Duluth
- ITT Technical Institute Kennesaw
- Kennesaw State University
- LaGrange College
- Lanier Technical College
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta
- Life University
- Luther Rice University
- Macon State College
- Mercer University
- Middle Georgia College
- Middle Georgia Technical College
- Miller Motte Technical College
- Miller Motte Technical College Columbus
- Miller Motte Technical College Macon
- Morehouse College
- Moultrie Technical College
- North Georgia College & State University
- North Georgia Technical College
- Oconee Fall Line Technical College
- Ogeechee Technical College
- Oglethorpe University
- Okefenokee Technical College
- Paine College
- Piedmont College
- Point University
- Reinhardt University
- Sanford Brown College Atlanta
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Savannah State University
- Savannah Technical College
- Shorter University
- Shorter University College of Adult & Professional Programs
- South Georgia College
- South Georgia Technical College
- South University Savannah
- South University Savannah Online
- Southeastern Technical College
- Southern Crescent Technical College
- Southern Polytechnic State University
- Southwest Georgia Technical College
- Spelman College
- The Art Institute of Atlanta
- Thomas University
- Toccoa Falls College
- Troy University - Augusta
- Truett McConnell College
- University of Georgia
- University of North Georgia
- University of Phoenix Atlanta Campus
- University of Phoenix Augusta Campus
- University of Phoenix Columbus Georgia Campus
- University of Phoenix Savannah Campus
- University of West Georgia
- Valdosta State University
- Virginia College
- Virginia College Augusta
- Waycross College
- Wesleyan College
- West Georgia Technical College
- Westwood College Atlanta Midtown
- Westwood College Northlake
- Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
- Young Harris College
All students must be extremely mindful when accused of sexual misconduct at their college or university; ROTC students in particular, however, can have even more concerns at all stage of Title IX proceedings because the stakes are higher yet – When first contacted by their school's Title IX office, when a sexual misconduct investigation begins, when facing a hearing or an appeal or when seeking further recourse by filing a Title IX complaint with the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights when necessary. For ROTC students who are facing a Title IX case and their families, it is critical to take the necessary precautions as soon as possible, including having an experienced attorney advisor, when accused of sexual misconduct. Unfortunately, some students, not being as familiar what is at stake and also their rights in the process, will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," everything will work out. Title IX cases can be won, but students and their families must recognize, however, that achieving a favorable in a Title IX case requires a dedicated and intensive approach best handled by a professional who has a track record of successes in the Title IX disciplinary arena.
Fighting passionately for the future of students at colleges and universities throughout the nation for over a decade, Joseph D. Lento knows how important it is to mount the strongest defense because he understands that an ROTC student's academic future and future commission and military career is at stake. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a Title IX advisor to students facing sexual misconduct investigations, disenrollment proceedings,and disciplinary cases in Georgia and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
