You may not have thrown a punch or poured a drink, but if you witnessed hazing and said nothing, you could still face criminal charges, campus discipline, or both. Laws in many states now impose liability...
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Yes, athletic scholarships can be revoked over conduct violations, but only under specific conditions defined by NCAA Bylaw 15.3.4.1. The process must follow strict procedural rules, and student-athletes have the right to appeal. DC Student Defense...
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Marijuana decriminalization, and even full legalization, does not protect college students from campus drug violations. Schools are bound by federal law under the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, meaning marijuana use can still result in suspension,...
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Yes, sharing your professor's course materials online without permission can get you accused of cheating, even if you meant no harm. Most schools treat course materials as the professor's intellectual property, and posting them on sites...
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Yes, international students facing campus conduct violations can lose their F-1 or J-1 status and be required to leave the US if their university reports a suspension or expulsion to SEVIS. The risk depends on the...
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If a friend needs medical help after drinking, call 911. Across the country, both state law and most university policies protect you from criminal and disciplinary consequences for making that call. The risk of not calling...
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Getting charged with an honor code violation is any student's nightmare. But once you've graduated, any fear of an honor code violation accusation should be well laid to rest, right? Not quite. You can still be...
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When social media evidence enters a hazing investigation, it tends to arrive in bulk, fast, and from people inside your own chapter. A fellow member hands over the GroupMe thread. Someone screenshots the Instagram story before...
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If a college student is accused of giving alcohol to a minor, universities typically give them as few as 5 to 10 business days to respond to a notice of investigation or appeal a disciplinary decision....
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Carrying or using a fake ID is a misdemeanor. First- and second-time offenders are usually offered a diversion program and can apply to seal their arrest record after the case is dismissed, though timelines vary by...
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The college experience has changed a lot. Unfortunately, online exams have given rise to a lot of new ways to cheat, which means students are facing more accusations of online academic misconduct.. At DC Student Defense,...
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Cyberbullying and online harassment on college campuses can lead to more than school discipline. In some cases, students may face criminal charges based on messages, posts, or online behavior they did not realize crossed a legal...
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“He said, she said” cases are some of the most challenging situations students face in university disciplinary systems. These cases often rely on conflicting accounts, limited evidence, and credibility assessments made by administrators. Even without clear...
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The conversation between sexual assault and alcohol is a very toxic one. The relationship that alcohol has with sexual assault is often seen as an excuse, or even an explanation, when truly, it is neither of...
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is a new, powerful tool that we are still learning to integrate into our society. There is a lot of opportunity to use AI in the workplace and in the classroom, but its...
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