Advisors in Disciplinary Hearings: Frequently Asked Questions
The following information is provided in an attempt to clarify information in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Disciplinary Procedures. Please be advised that the Disciplinary Procedures will be the controlling document and any apparent conflicting information will defer to those procedures and not the FAQs.
What is the purpose of a student discipline hearing?
A student has been accused of misconduct as outlined in the University's Student Code The Office for Student Conflict Resolution has referred the complaint to the committee. This committee will listen to all of the information about the complaint to determine if the respondent is responsible for the allegation and to assign appropriate sanctions.
A student has asked me to serve as an advisor in a discipline hearing. What will my role be?
As an advisor, you are in the hearing to support the student and to assist him/her in thinking of questions. You will not actively participate in the hearing process.
Who is eligible to serve as an advisor?
An advisor may be anyone the student chooses, including but not limited to another student student, a faculty or staff member, a parent, or an attorney. A special information sheet for attorneys similar to this one is available on the Office for Student Conflict Resolution website to address their unique concerns.
Can I ask questions, object to information, or talk about what I know about the student I am assisting?
No. Students are expected to speak for themselves in all University disciplinary proceedings. Advisors are not allowed to speak directly to the committee nor are they allowed to ask questions. You are there solely as a source of assistance to the student. This means that you may consult with them quietly in a whisper or exchange written notes. You will be seated at the hearing table immediately next to the student. If you have valuable, first-hand information about the incident, you should serve as a witness and should encourage the student to choose another advisor. Individuals may not serve as both an advisor and a witness in the same hearing.
Can I call the Office for Student Conflict Resolution before the hearing with questions about the incident the hearing will address?
The Office for Student Conflict Resolution will correspond and communicate directly with the student involved and not to third parties. We will gladly answer general questions about the process, but will communicate about the specifics of the incident only with the student. Your best source of information about the incident will be the student.
I cannot attend the scheduled hearing time. How can I get the hearing rescheduled?
The University will be attempting to schedule a hearing that is convenient to the respondent, the alleged victim, their advisors, witnesses, and the committee members who will hear the information and make a decision. With so many people involved, it is not always possible for all schedules to coincide. In order to resolve complaints in a timely way, advisors will not be directly consulted about scheduling the hearing. However, we will make reasonable adjustments to the schedule while communicating directly with the student. If you are unavailable for the scheduled hearing time, the student is welcomed to choose another advisor.
How can I best fulfill my role as an advisor in the student discipline process?
Due to the intensely personal and serious nature of many of the incidents that are addressed in the student discipline process, we encourage our students to select an advisor who will give them support and guidance in this difficult time. Students have told us that they have appreciated reviewing the incident and potential questions with their advisor before the hearing. Students have also shared that they felt reassured by the presence of a trusted friend. Advisors assist students by calming their fears and encouraging them to share as much clear and honest information with the committee as possible.
