What is an Advisor?
Students or student organizations who are alleged to have violated the Code of Conduct may bring one advisor with them to both administrative conferences and Carolina Judicial Council hearings. This advisor can be a parent, friend, or attorney. This advisor is meant to support the student as they go through the conduct process, not speak for the student. The student will need to fill out a Consent to Release Information Form for anyone who will attend their meetings with them. It is the responsibility of the student to share the date, time and location of their meeting with their advisor.
Please understand that the University conduct process is different from the criminal judicial system. We have worked with our legal counsel to make sure that our policies and practices are consistent with state and federal laws that pertain to due process protections in college disciplinary cases. Our system is an educational process designed to help students reflect and grow through honest conversations about values and decision making. Consequently, only the student can speak to these issues and first hand to what happened. The University’s process is meant to be non-adversarial. We do realize that advisors have a role in assisting their clients and we typically have no issue with permitting a break so that students may consult with their advisors during the process.
The University uses the preponderance of evidence standard when determining if a student is responsible or not responsible for an alleged conduct violation (i.e., that it is more likely than not that the alleged violated the Code of Conduct).
The conduct process at the University of South Carolina is not attempting to determine whether or not a student has violated the law. The university is trying to determine whether or not a student violated the Code of Conduct. Therefore, this administrative process is not directly affected by outcomes in the criminal justice system.
- Consult with the student prior to their administrative conference with the Office
of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. This can include:
- Reviewing the incident report or police report submitted with the student.
- Assisting the student in preparing a statement regarding the alleged involvement or questions to ask during their meeting.
- The student should remain the main point of contact for the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity until their case is resolved. The University will typically communicate with the student, not additionally with every student’s advisor. Information regarding the student’s case will be sent to the student directly (via phone or email). The student may then choose to forward any communication with their chosen advisor.
- Based on FERPA, the Office of Student Conduct cannot discuss a student’s education record, including details involving Code of Conduct alleged violations, without the student’s written consent. In order for information to be shared with a student's advisor, the student needs to fill out a Consent to Release Information Form.
If a student would like an advisor to be present during their meeting but, does not have a person that could serve in that role the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity has a list of professionals from different areas of campus that are willing to serve in this capacity. If a student wishes to have an advisor provided to them from the list below please contact the Office of Student Conduct and Academci Integrity with the name of the advisor you have selected at least 48 hours prior to your meeting. If you have no preference in your advisor please let the office know so that we can find someone who would be available.
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Will Sheppard |
Office of Multicultural Student Affairs |
|
Bill Weisenhorn |
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life |
|
Bri Newton |
Office of Multicultural Student Affairs |
|
Shelley Dempsey |
Office of the Provost |
|
LaNae’ Budden |
First Generation Center |
|
Paulia Williams |
TRIO Programs |
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Julie Boykin |
Capstone Scholars |
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Derenzo Thomas |
Leadership and Service Center |
|
Emma Ormond |
Leadership and Service Center |
|
Ryan Gross |
Russell House |
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Rebecca Keilty |
Student Success Center |
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Reilie Lyons |
University Housing |