Support Person Resources

Community Standards and Conflict Resolution

All students can have one (1) support person to support them in the student conduct process, including a conduct hearing. A support person is chosen by the student at the student’s request and not provided to the student by the University. 

The support person may not:

  • Unduly delay Student Code processes due to availability of the support person
  • Act as a representative of the student or communicate on the student’s behalf
  • Participate directly in the Hearing
  • Provide any information to the alleged incident or policy violations. If the support person is an involved party in the case, they may be asked to participate in a separate meeting via Hearing or witness interview
  • Disrupt the proceeding of the Hearing. If a support person becomes disruptive, they may be dismissed from the Hearing.

If the support person is present during a Hearing, they may:

  • Support and assist the student in regulating emotions or process thoughts
  • Communicate with the student directly via verbal communication or written communication. This can look like notes or text messages
  • Provide advice to the student on how to respond to information or questions
  • Speak privately with the student

Forms

Students must provide written consent for a support person to participate in a conduct hearing or to receive information about their case. A student can complete one of two forms:

Attorney Resources 

Advising a student through the conduct process is different than defending a client in a court of law. In a court of law, attorneys are likely used to advocating for and speaking on behalf of their client. In the conduct process, students are expected to speak for themselves at all times and may not have someone speak for them or on behalf of them at any time.  

If a student requests an attorney is their support person for their Hearing, the attorney has the same expectations as any other support person of choice (e.g., friend, family member, mentor, etc.). If a student chooses an attorney to be their support person, our office may also choose to have institutional legal counsel present. 

Concurrent Proceedings 

Legal proceedings are separate from student conduct processes. Legal outcomes do not affect the student conduct process. Pending litigation does not stop or delay any student conduct process. Information gathered in a student conduct process may be subject to subpoena by the court. Counsel may advise their client, at their discretion, to not attend or provide statements during their Hearing. In such a case, the student conduct process will continue and a decision will be made based on the reported information available.