Attorneys

The student must submit an authorization form for you to have access to information about the case. If the student intends to have you attend a proceeding as an Advisor, they must notify the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability through this form.

The Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability will correspond at all times directly with the student, and not through any third party. You may receive copies of correspondence with the student’s authorization.

Download Authorization Form

An attorney who is licensed to practice law in the State of West Virginia is permitted to represent a student in any hearing where the possible sanctions include suspension and/or expulsion. In Title IX cases, an attorney may participate in any stage of the process.

There are significant differences between the criminal process and the student disciplinary process, but they are not mutually exclusive. If a student is arrested and charged in a criminal proceeding, that student can also be charged under the Student Rights and Responsibilities. However, there are many charges under the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities that do not rise to criminal behavior.

The Student Conduct hearing process is not the same as a trial. A student conduct hearing in an administrative process. Rules of evidence that are present in a criminal proceeding will not apply in a student conduct hearing. The Hearing Officer will have final authority on all evidentiary matters.

Learn More about The Student Disciplinary Process

The standard in the student conduct process is “preponderance of evidence.”

The sanctions are developed with consideration of the individual circumstances of the case, the student’s prior disciplinary history, if any, the impact that the sanctions will have on the student’s situation, his or her educational record, and any other relevant information that the Officer deems useful.

Learn More about Sanctions

No. Student conduct cases are confidential in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).