ACADEMIC HEARINGS AND TITLE IX
A Title IX Academic Hearing isn’t about you and what you may have done incorrectly. They are about the educational institution ensuring they aren’t breaking the law by being unfair to someone on the basis of gender. Either way, you’re just a pawn in the mix, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in trouble.
Whether you are just being questioned, or are fully involved in the investigation, it’s important that you protect yourself. The University won’t look out for you. If there is a Title IX issue they’re at fault, so it is NOT in their interest to protect you.
If your school has contacted you about discussing a Title IX issue, then email or call us at (407) 906-JLAW (5529). We are familiar with the process and can make sure you’re not held responsible for the school’s error.
POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF A TITLE IX HEARING
Title IX investigations by themselves do not carry the traditional consequences for the student. These investigations are for the school (UCF, Rollins, etc.) to look into a matter in order to limit the school’s liability.
However, often these investigations can lead to a Golden Rule Violation or an Academic Honor Code Hearing. During the investigation, the school learns more about the matter and can refer the case to the department of the school that handles the academic punishments.
Violations of the student code of conduct can result in a wide spectrum of consequences. From mere warnings to actual expulsion from school. While expulsion is usually reserved for the most serious or repeated violations, other punishments may seriously endanger your ability to complete school and apply for future job opportunities.
Code of conduct hearing officers have the power to revoke your campus housing, scholarships, university employment, and involvement in school activities. They can also place you on probation and subject you to further monitoring by the conduct office. Additionally, your disciplinary record may affect your applications for graduate programs, transferring education and professional licensing.
ACADEMIC LAW PRACTICE AREAS
UCF Golden Rule Violations
Rollins Ethics Violations
Valencia Integrity Violations
Stetson Ethics Issues
OCPS Hearings
School Suspensions
Academic Hearings
Academic Appeals
K – 12 Suspension Hearings
HOW THE ACADEMIC HEARING PROCESS WORKS
You will receive notice of a potential code of conduct violation by email or regular mail.
The letter will notify you of the alleged violations and give you a time/date range to meet with a code of conduct advisor.
During your meeting with the advisor for a Golden Rule or Academic Honor Code Hearing,
They will review the allegations with you, discuss the evidence against you, and explain the academic punishment process to you.
Depending upon what the allegations are, they might make you an offer of punishment if you admit to the violations that day.
Otherwise, they will set you for a hearing. Usually, any punishment that might result in suspension or expulsion will be required to be taken to a hearing.
If you deny the allegation, you may elect to have a hearing in front of a panel of officers or one officer.
Some allegations require a panel for your hearing. This decision can be the difference between beating these allegations or being punished for them.
- During these initial meetings and the resulting hearing, you are permitted to have an advisor to assist you. They may be a school employee, an attorney, or a trusted friend. However, most school employees and outside individuals are unfamiliar with the rules, process, and how to combat the evidence. At UCF, the advisor is not permitted to speak during the hearing but can consult with you at any point. At Rollins, the advisor is usually given more leeway to argue on your behalf. Make sure you have an advisor who has discussed with you the pros and cons of all of your options.
At the hearing you will again be given the chance to admit to the allegations or deny them.
If you admit to them, you will be given a chance to speak about the punishment you are hoping for and why. If you deny them, the hearing will start.
Attorneys for Jordan Law have all attended college in Florida, giving them the proper insight into how Florida schools run their academic hearings.
Furthermore, our experience with trial team – teaching college and law students how to be attorneys and witnesses – is the same technique you will need to be prepared for your academic hearing.
The Code of Conduct Office will begin the hearing by allowing you to make an opening statement and then they will present their evidence,
Including witness statements, records, police reports, photographs or other information helpful to their case.
- You will have the opportunity to question the witnesses or at least have them ask questions that you’ve written on your behalf. This will help provide clarification and fortify important information you find pertinent to the overall case.
At the end of the evidence, you are permitted to make a closing statement,
Arguing why you are not in violation of the code of conduct. Or what punishment you should be given and why.
The hearing officer will then deliberate to decide if you are in violation.
The officer will then announce whether you are in violation and if there is any recommended penalty. Usually they will also make some written findings of why they ruled that way.
