An Advisor is a support person who may accompany a student during the student conduct process. The role of an Advisor is to provide quiet support, help the individual prepare for meetings or hearings, and assist with understanding the process. Advisors are not advocates or representatives and do not actively participate in meetings or proceedings. Each individual may be accompanied by one Advisor, provided the Advisor’s involvement does not cause undue delay in the conduct process.
List of Trained College Advisors
Information for Students
An Advisor can help you understand the conduct process, prepare for meetings or hearings, and provide support throughout.
Who can be an advisor?
An Advisor may be any person of the individual’s choosing, including a friend, family member, faculty or staff member, or an attorney. An Advisor may not also serve as a witness in the same matter.
Role of the Advisor
Advisors may:
- Attend meetings, hearings, and related proceedings with you,
- Provide emotional support and keep you focused during meetings.
- Help you prepare questions, statements, or reflections outside of meetings.
- Quietly consult with you during a meeting, as permitted by the Hearing Administrator.
Advisors may not:
- Speak on behalf of you.
- Write, submit, or otherwise communicate with investigators, Conduct Administrators, Hearing Administrators, or appeal reviewers on behalf of you.
- Disrupt meetings or proceedings.
- Engage in behavior or advocacy that harasses, abuses, or intimidates the Reporter, Respondent, witnesses, or others involved in resolving the complaint.
Advisors who do not follow these expectations may be excluded from the process.
Scheduling and Availability
It is the individual’s responsibility to coordinate scheduling with their Advisor. Meetings and hearings will not be delayed due to an Advisor’s unavailability, except in limited circumstances as determined by the College.
Attorneys as Advisors
- An Advisor may be an attorney, however, attorneys are held to the same limitations as all Advisors and may not actively participate.
- If you retain an attorney, the College requests advance notice in order to provide appropriate contact information for the College’s Office of General Counsel.
- Any costs associated with an Advisor, including legal counsel, are your responsibility.
Information for Individuals Volunteering to Serve as an Advisor
Serving as an Advisor is an important way to support a student or involved individual during the conduct process.
What Advisors Can Do
- Provide emotional support and help the student remain calm and focused.
- Assist the student in understanding the conduct process and potential outcomes.
- Help the student prepare for meetings or hearings ahead of time.
- Take personal notes for the student’s reference, if permitted.
What Advisors Can’t Do
- Participate directly in meetings or hearings.
- Speak, write, or otherwise communicate on behalf of the student.
- Question witnesses or administrators.
- Interrupt or interfere with the conduct process.
- Engage in conduct that is disrespectful, intimidating, or disruptive.
- Failure to follow these expectations may result in removal from the process.
Professional Conduct Expectations
Advisors are expected to:
- Act in a respectful and non-adversarial manner.
- Follow all instructions provided by Conduct Administrators or Hearing Administrators.
- Maintain confidentiality and discretion.