Your Rights

Rights of Complainant and Accused Students

Both complainants and accused students are granted the following rights in the Rutgers disciplinary process:

• To be treated with dignity by all persons involved in the disciplinary process.
• To equal access to information, evidence, and University resources, including information pertaining to counseling services.
• To a fair hearing.
• To information about this Code.
• To participate or to decline to participate in the disciplinary process.
• To have a support person present at all meetings and hearings. Support person availability is not sufficient grounds for postponing a meeting, Administrative Conference, or University Hearing.
• To have a Campus Advisor present at all meetings and hearings. Advisor availability is not sufficient grounds for postponing a meeting, Administrative Conference, or University Hearing.
• To written notice of all meetings and hearings, including the time and place.
• To present information and/or witnesses on their behalf during the disciplinary process. The relevance of witnesses shall be determined by the Conduct Officer or by the Presiding Officer during the disciplinary process.
• To choose to withhold information or testimony if the student feels information presented will lead to self-incrimination. Students are expected to fully cooperate with and participate in the University disciplinary system when notified, but no negative inference will be made should a student choose not to speak.
• To hear and respond to all information presented against them.
• To one written copy, upon request, of the report stating the circumstances and allegations involved. This information will be made available after a student is notified of charges.
• To notice of the charges, including what prohibited conduct is at issue.
• To submit written materials relevant to the sanction decision, which may include written impact statements.
• To be free from intimidation, harassment, bullying, or any other form of retaliation throughout the investigation and disciplinary process.
• To written notification of the results of the hearing or other case resolution, including any sanctions imposed.
• To be informed of their right to appeal and of the process for doing so.
• To written notification of the outcome of any appeal.
• To privacy throughout the investigation and disciplinary process. The Office of Student Conduct/Community Standards will not release information about a case unless legally bound.
• To understand that information collected in the process may be subpoenaed in criminal or civil proceedings.
• To have reasonable steps taken to prevent any unnecessary or unwanted contact with the other party or parties during the investigation and disciplinary process.