Respondent Support Services
The student conduct process is administrative and educational in nature. It is intended to address misconduct in accordance with the University's Student Code of Conduct. Within the student conduct process, the respondent (accused) has the right to be accompanied by an advisor of his/her choosing (e.g. student, faculty member, staff member, relative, or legal counsel). The respondent may also choose to have a trained faculty or staff member serve in this role.
Role
The role of Respondent Support Services (RSS) is to provide trained advisors who can assist students going through the student conduct process.
RSS Advisors may:
- Provide information about the student conduct process to any student.
- Review and clarify the meaning of charges.
- Review due process rights and the standard of evidence utilized.
- Discuss investigation and hearing procedures.
- Help prepare materials for hearings, including: gathering information, identifying witnesses, and writing statements.
- Advise complainant or respondent directly during the hearing.
- Provide moral support during a hearing.
- Discuss appeal options.
- Help prepare appeal materials, including written appeal.
- Provide and refer appropriate resources.
RSS Advisors may not:
- Do all of the work for the student.
- Advise the student not to participate in the process.
- Help the student abuse the process.
- Speak for the student during any hearing.
- Influence the Hearing Officer or Student Conduct Board.
- Provide legal advice.
- Provide mental health counseling (services are available from the Counseling Center).
- Withhold information that must be reported by University policy (e.g. Violations of the Sexual Assault, Relationship Violence, and Stalking policy).
Contact
To request the assistance of a Respondent Support Services advisor, call