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Advisors

Advisors in the UHAS Process

An advisor is a support person who is present to provide support to either a reporter or respondent during the student conduct process. Reporters and respondents may be accompanied by one advisor throughout the student conduct process, provided that the involvement of the advisor does not result in an undue delay of the process. It is the responsibility of each party to coordinate scheduling with their advisor for any meetings or hearings.

Given advisors support purpose, advisors may not speak, write, or otherwise communicate with an investigator, CRC, or panel and may not represent the reporter or respondent in the process. The advisor is not permitted to review any document or to attend any meeting in the absence of the party they are assisting. Any submissions and information from the advisor will not be considered or accepted. If an advisor attempts to present information or submit documents on behalf of the party, OCS will notify the party and provide the party a reasonable amount of time to submit the information or documents directly, however OCS will not extend procedural deadlines for this reason. If the party elects not to submit information or documents, OCS will not consider such information in the investigation or resolution. Advisors may not engage in behavior or advocacy that harasses, abuses, or intimidates either party, a witness, or individuals involved in resolving the complaint.

To enhance integrity in the student conduct process, to help ensure fairness for all parties, and to ensure that the focus of the student conduct process remains the Â鶹´«Ã½ community and its students, advisors cannot be witnesses or a party in the matter or a related matter, must be a member of the University community (faculty, staff, or student), and cannot be a family member of the reporter or respondent, or an attorney.

Advisors who do not abide by these guidelines may be excluded from the student conduct process, which will continue without the advisor present. Information on advisors related to alleged violations of Â鶹´«Ã½’s NU-OCR policies is outlined in the policies below.

Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct

When policies of concern fall under the Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct, an advisor is not limited to members of the University community. In matters not involving a complaint of sexual assault, stalking, or dating or domestic violence, advisors cannot be a witness or party in the matter or a related matter, a family member of the Complainant or Respondent, or an attorney.

In any matter involving a complaint of sexual assault, stalking, or dating or domestic violence, the advisor may be any person of the party’s choosing, including an attorney. However, an advisor may not also serve as a witness in the same matter, and the advisor’s participation is limited to a supportive and non-participatory role as described above. 
 

Interim Policy on TIX Sexual Harassment

When policies of concern fall under the Interim Policy on TIX Sexual Harassment, the advisor plays a more substantial role. From the point a Formal Complaint is made, and until an investigation, adjudication, and appeal are complete, the Complainant and Respondent will have the right to be accompanied by an advisor of their choice to all meetings, interviews, and hearings that are part of the investigation, adjudication, and appeal process.

The advisor may be, but is not required to be, an attorney.  In these cases, the advisor’s role will include conducting cross examination of the parties and any witnesses at the live hearing, in addition to providing support and guidance throughout the process.