Information for Advisors
This information is designed to help students understand the role of advisors and to help prepare advisors to serve in their role as advisor for a student called to a hearing or hearing board. It is meant to supplement the Code of Conduct which details the student community standards process. You should read the Code thoroughly as well as follow these tips when preparing your advisee. If you have any questions about the process please contact the Office of Community Standards.
Serving as an advisor during a sexual misconduct hearing is different than serving as an advisor during other student hearings and the information below may not apply. Please see the Sexual Misconduct Policy for more information
The advisor in a student community standards process may be anyone of the student’s choosing as long as s/he is a current member of the College community. Advisors are not permitted to speak during the proceeding, though s/he may confer and speak privately to the advisee. The advisor may not be included in the list of witnesses; s/he may only function in the capacity of an advisor.
When selecting an advisor, students should remember that the advisor may not be fully aware of the community standard’s process and is probably not an expert in these proceedings.
The advisor should assist the advisee with the following:
- Review and understand the alleged violation(s) and the Community Standards process
- Prepare the student to share their side of what occurred in the alleged incident
- Think of questions to ask the witness(es) called to present information at the hearing
- Take notes during the hearing
- Suggest additional questions to ask witnesses and the other party based on their statements
- Help keep the advisee calm and in control
- Provide moral support to the advisee prior to and during the proceeding
Please note that while advisors may contact the Office of Community Standards to discuss general process questions and their role as an advisor, they are not permitted to discuss the specifics of a case.
The advisor’s assistance may also be needed in preparing a letter of appeal (if advisee is the Responding Party), should the student choose to appeal the hearing outcome.
Below is a list of trained advisors that you are welcome to contact. Please note that the Office of Community Standards cannot guarantee their availability in helping you through the process. Note: Not all individuals listed on this list are available for sexual misconduct cases.
Melanie Adams, Faculty Member
Lizabeth Buoro, Staff Member
Dana Clark, Staff Member
Chris Cusack, Faculty Member
Judy Lister, Faculty Member
Tiffany Mathews, Staff Member
Vicky Morton, Faculty Member
Wade Newer, Staff Member
Kim Pare, Staff Member
Peter Stevenson, Faculty Member