Advisors

Section 3335-23-10 (B) of the Code of Student Conduct permits students to have an advisor throughout the disciplinary process. We encourage students to take advantage of this provision. Advisors help students retain their composure, think more clearly, and ask important and relevant questions. Because this is an educational process, students must always speak for themselves. While an advisor may offer advice and encouragement, the advisor may not represent or speak for the student.

Below are common questions about the role of the advisor. We encourage students to bring additional questions or concerns they have to our attention.

How many advisors can a student have?

Students can have as many advisors as they wish, but only one (1) may be present during a hearing. Additionally, in most cases, only one advisor may accompany students to other meetings at Student Conduct, such as preliminary conferences.

Who can serve as an advisor?

An advisor can be any person who is not involved as a witness or participant in a case. Students must complete the Authorization to Release Information (PDF) before their advisor can participate in the conduct process.

What is the role of an advisor in a hearing?

The advisor may support or advise the student, but may not represent or speak for the student.  An advisor may converse or share written notes with the student during the hearing.

What if in my role as an advisor, I have procedural questions?

We never want students to be confused or surprised by any part of the Student Conduct process. A student may ask a procedural question at any time. If an advisor has a question about the process at any point prior to a hearing, we encourage the advisor to ask their question. We will always endeavor to include the student in this conversation, but we also understand there may be minor procedural questions that can help an advisor better understand our process. Should an advisor have a procedural question during a hearing, the advisor should prompt their student to either raise the procedural question, or request a brief recess to speak with their hearing officer.

What happens when an advisor fails to follow these expectations?

We will remind the student and the advisor to follow these expectations. Should an advisor fail to do so, we will ask the advisor to leave the meeting or the hearing. 

Is the role of the advisor different when the advisor is an attorney?

Our students may bring an attorney as their advisor, but the same expectations apply to attorneys. Students must still speak and advocate for themselves. Responsibilities attorneys have when representing other clients (requesting extensions of deadlines, submitting written documents, objecting to evidence, questioning witnesses, etc.) always remain with students in our process.