Student Advocates
Role of Advocates or Attorneys at Hearings
Students accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct have the right to an advocate during any student conduct meeting or hearing. Advocates can be members of the university community such as a faculty member, student or staff person. Students, at their own expense, may also have a private attorney accompany them to any campus proceeding. For more information on the role of advocates please refer to the Document on Student Rights & Welfare.
Student Advocate Program
Don’t know anyone who will be your advocate? We do!
Students may request an advocate through the Student Advocate (SA) program. Advocates can help assist students by orienting them to the student conduct process and help with case preparation. A Student Advocate is a resource for students going through or involved in the student conduct process at Kutztown University. The Student Advocates are students familiar with the hearing process and can provide students with guidance on how to be best prepare for a hearing. Student Advocates are neutral parties and have no influence on the outcome of the case and only are involved to the extent the student wishes. Participation in the program is voluntary.
What Student Advocates Can Do:
- Review the steps and phases of a conduct hearing
- Assist students with preparing their own case by learning how to construct effective opening statements and develop effective witness questions and questioning techniques.
- Answer questions about the Student Code of Conduct and the conduct process.
- Clarify student rights available to students in the hearing process
- Help students feel more comfortable and confident going into their hearing.
What Student Advocates Cannot Do:
- Represent students at their hearing.
- Influence an outcome or mediate a solution to the incident.
- Help students find loopholes in the student conduct process