Sexual Violence : Accused's Rights
- The accused student has similar rights to the victim. The university will provide a timely and thorough investigation, and will treat the accused with respect before, during, and after the student conduct process.
- The accused will be informed of the university's conduct process and possible outcomes. The university will also inform the accused of available resources, including the Student Advocacy Center, counseling services, and other campus and off campus resources to assist with the process.
- Accused students may request changes to academic and living situations after a sexual assault occurs. Student Conduct may be able to help facilitate such changes.
- Accused students have the right to have one advisor throughout the student conduct process, including meetings and hearings. The advisor may not be a witness in the case. In meetings with Student Conduct or in a hearing, the advisor may not participate directly and may only communicate with the victim with whispers or writing notes.
- The university will make reasonable efforts to protect confidentiality, within the parameters of FERPA (Family and Education Privacy Act of 1974) and the university conduct process.
- The accused is afforded the right to be updated on the investigation and be informed of the outcomes of the process.
- Prior to a hearing, the accused is allowed to inform the hearing officer of relevant witnesses the accused wishes to include at the hearing and to what the witnesses plan to testify.
- Prior to a hearing, the accused may also meet with a hearing officer to discuss hearing procedures.
- During a hearing, the accused has the right to give opening and closing statements and ask questions of the witnesses and victim, via a hearing officer.
- The accused has the right to timely notice of a hearing as indicated in the Code of Student Conduct. The accused may waive the period of notice if desired.