Student Rights

Fairfield University respects the dignity and rights of each of its students. In all disciplinary cases, students are asked to review their rights and are given the opportunity to ask questions.

Rights of the Accused:

1. The right to be advised of the information against him or her, including the nature of the alleged violations, the documentation of those violations, and the names of adverse witnesses and the information they provided.
2. The right to present one's case and to rebut unfavorable inferences that might be drawn.
3. The right to present the information of any qualified and competent witness who has direct, personal knowledge of the incident or conduct in question. Qualified witnesses must be members of the University community (student, faculty, staff). For Student Conduct Board hearings, the witness must submit a written statement at least 48 hours prior to the hearing before the witness will be allowed to appear at the hearing.
4. The right to be absent from a hearing without excuse. However, the case will be heard without the student present and a decision rendered based upon the evidence or information available.
5. The right to be advised of the result of the hearing and the rationale for the decision.
6. The right to have an advisor if the case is heard by the Student Conduct Board. The advisor must be a member of the immediate University community (faculty, staff, or fellow student). The advisor serves as a support person and will offer assistance to the student before and during the hearing. The advisor may not address the board; however, he or she can ask questions of the witnesses if these questions are relevant to the case and have not been asked before.
7. If the case is heard by the Student Conduct Board, the student has the right to delay the scheduling of a hearing date for up to five days if a legitimate excuse has been established in the opinion of the Dean of Students. If the case is heard by the Student Court or student conduct administrator, the student has the right to delay the scheduling of a hearing date for up to three days if a legitimate excuse has been established in the opinion of the Dean of Students.

Rights of the Victim:

1. The right to meet with the Office of the Dean of Students to discuss the student conduct process.
2. The right to be advised of the date, time, and location of the student conduct hearing and to request rescheduling for good cause, if the case is being heard by the Student Conduct Board.
3. The right to choose an advisor to appear with him or her if the case is heard by the Student Conduct Board, provided the advisor is a member of the University community.
4. The right to appear as a witness at student conduct hearings.
5. The right to decline to appear, with knowledge that such action could result in dismissal of the alleged violations for lack of evidence or information.
6. The right to submit a written impact statement to the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Conduct Board, or Student Court for consideration while determining sanctions.
7. The right to be informed of relevant sanctions imposed upon the responsible student.

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