La Salle University’s Community Standards: Ensuring a Safe Learning Environment for Students

La Salle University takes pride in providing a secure and nurturing academic environment for its students. The school implements a set of Community Standards, which can be found in the Student Guide. These Community Standards are meant to protect all students and create a peaceful learning atmosphere.

In upholding the Community Standards, La Salle University ensures that offending students will face disciplinary action through its comprehensive Disciplinary Process. Sanctions will be imposed on students who violate the university’s guidelines.

The Multi-Step La Salle University Disciplinary Procedure

La Salle University’s Disciplinary Process is composed of several steps and aims to achieve early resolutions for cases of student misconduct. The process typically begins with the filing of an incident report that outlines the details of the violation committed by the student.

After being evaluated, this report turns into a full disciplinary report, which is then delivered to the accused student as an accusation. The next step is a Preliminary Hearing, where accused students must meet with a Preliminary Hearing Officer within seven (7) days after receiving the disciplinary report.

Preliminary Hearings: Understanding Procedures and Possible Sanctions

During the hearing, La Salle University’s procedures and potential sanctions are explained to the offender while details related to the offense are gathered from them. If further investigation is necessary, the preliminary hearing officer will conduct an inquiry.

If sufficient information presents itself during Preliminary Hearings, the officer can impose suitable sanctions on behalf of La Salle University while determining if disciplinary action is necessary. Then they will make their decision on whether to hold responsible for violations deemed consistent with preponderance evidence findings. Afterward, questioned individuals will receive written feedback that they may either agree or challenge.

Formal Hearings: Judicial Board or Administrative Hearing Officer?

Formal Hearings provide two options regarding judicial decisions – either before a Judicial Board or before an Administrative Hearing Officer. The choice between the two will rest ultimately with the student to be heard during said hearing.

Judicial Board: Composed of dedicated volunteers selected by the Student Government Association, five faculty members, and 15 students. These members select a hearing panel of five for every case that appears before them.

Administrative Hearing Officer: Involves the services of either Senior Associate Dean of Students or its designee unless they have served as Preliminary Hearing Officer.

The formal hearing procedure will be standard throughout each avenue, and it usually begins with opening statements from both involved parties. Then, witnesses can give their testimony after presentation by either party while questions addressed toward said witnesses were screened by the authority presiding over hearings. Finally, either policy finding verdicts or closing statements that summarize each parties’ arguments are made. Standard decision-making practices use evidence present based on a “preponderance of evidence” criterion.

Legal Counsel: An Excellent Ally for Offending Students

During legal proceedings at La Salle University, accused students are given an opportunity to obtain counsel although advisors must come from within the university community; choosing not to partake in legal strategy preparations weakens the accused student’s defenses significantly. Partnering with attorneys behind-the-scenes preserves evidence such as witness interviews and documents ensuring reliable insight via tactics that proffer successful conclusions!

Paying Attention? What If It Doesn’t Go Your Way?

There may be instances when involving oneself in disciplinary processes results in unfavorable findings adversely effecting both individual(s) and parents/guardians emotionally and psychologically! Suppose one is unhappy with how proceedings turned out; appeals may be filed within five (5) business days from rendering official decisions about violations behaviors committed towards relevant standard(s). These appeals follow grounds set-up with consideration to issues ranging from unfairly conducted hearings up until new evidence available for subsequent review necessitates appeal. Appeals must undergo supervised scrutiny under close watchful eyes of Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students.

Conclusion

Should any legal issues arise during students’ tenure within La Salle University – experiencing rough patches and setbacks are not something college students should want to plan against; having legal counsel present can reduce anxiety while yielding better results during proceedings.