The Role of an Advisor in Hearings and Meetings

Any student suspected of violating the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities and any complainant in a Track C case has the right to an advisor to accompany them to meetings or hearings with Student Conduct and Academic Integrity in the Office of the Dean of Students (Student Conduct).

An advisor is someone whom a student may choose to accompany them to meetings or a hearing with Student Conduct. This person can be a friend, parent, family member, attorney, or anyone whom the student would like to have present. Students choosing to have an advisor present must understand the role the advisor has in the student conduct process:

• To include an advisor in a meeting or hearing, the student must complete the Authorization and Release of Protected information. This form allows Student Conduct staff to speak openly about the alleged policy violation and investigation in the presence of the advisor. At any point, a student can choose to end the release of protected information if they would no longer like for that person to have access to their disciplinary information. A termination of the Authorization and Release of Protected Information must be submitted in writing.
• A student may change their advisor. The advisor supports the student through the conduct process; therefore, a student may choose to change their advisor at any point during the process or proceed without an advisor. Student Conduct staff will work with the student to help the process of changing their advisor.
• An advisor cannot advocate on behalf of the student during a meeting or hearing. An advisor serves as a support person for the student, but the student is solely responsible for presenting their case and communicating directly with Student Conduct staff.
• All communication to Student Conduct must come from the student. Student Conduct staff will not meet or communicate solely with an advisor. Student Conduct staff will answer process-related questions from an advisor only in the presence of the student.
• No student allegedly involved in the same conduct matter as the accused student, nor any witness for the accused student can serve as an advisor. If the advisor is directly involved with the conduct matter or if their involvement may be a conflict of interest, Student Conduct staff or a hearing officer may dismiss the advisor from a meeting or hearing.
• Advisors may be dismissed from any conduct meetings or hearings if they disrupt the process or proceeding. The student conduct process that is designed to be educational. When an advisor is disruptive, it interrupts the student’s educational experience and rights.
• The role of the advisor is the same whether or not the advisor is an attorney. The university conduct process is an educational endeavor, not a legal proceeding. All participants shall adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Institutional Rules.

For any questions about the role of an advisor or the student conduct process, please email us or call 512-471-2841.