Sacred Heart University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Good Samaritan Policy provides protection from disciplinary action for students seeking medical help for intoxicated peers

Academic integrity violations referred to Dean of College; Dean decides on action in consultation with faculty and Department/Program Chair

Second academic integrity violation may result in dismissal from University

Conduct records kept on file for seven years after last incident; indefinitely for suspension/expulsion

Student adviser may not be attorney or parent; may consult with student but not address hearing officer

Hearing is explicitly educational in nature, not adversarial

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Sacred Heart?

Dean of Students (UNVERIFIED: needs human research) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Sacred Heart. For formal hearings subject to expulsion or repeated violations, the Dean of Students or a designated hearing officer presides. Initial meetings conducted by Residence Hall Directors (RHDs) or Resident Success Assistants (RSAs) for residence hall violations. All Sacred Heart University students in all degree programs; applies to conduct violations occurring on or off campus

What is the evidence standard at Sacred Heart?

Sacred Heart applies Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) under Code of Student Conduct & Community Standards (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). Dean of Students uses this standard when determining whether a student is responsible for an alleged violation. The evidence standard is critical because it determines how strong the evidence must be before a finding of responsibility can be made.

What rights do I have during a Sacred Heart conduct proceeding?

Under Code of Student Conduct & Community Standards, students facing a Dean of Students proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to be treated with respect, dignity and compassion by University officials and persons involved in disciplinary process; written/electronic notice of alleged violation(s) with date, time, and place of hearing; be informed orally and/or in writing of student conduct procedures; have one adviser throughout the process (SHU administrator, faculty member, or student, not legal counsel/attorney or parents). Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Sacred Heart?

Violations reported to Resident Success Assistants (RSAs), Residence Hall Directors (RHDs), or Public Safety. Written documentation required to move forward. Reports forwarded to Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards for review and routing to appropriate conduct officer.

What sanctions can Sacred Heart impose for academic misconduct?

Dean of Students can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including warning, disciplinary probation, fines or restitution, and more serious outcomes including suspension and expulsion. The specific sanction depends on the facts, the student's prior record, and any mitigating factors presented during the proceeding. Sanction-phase advocacy is often as important as the responsibility phase, since even a first finding can carry long-term consequences on transcripts and graduate school applications.

How do I appeal a decision at Sacred Heart, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Sacred Heart is Contact Director within 24 hours of meeting; submit appeal form within 72 hours after sanctions issued. Student may appeal finding(s) and/or sanction(s) by contacting Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards within 24 hours of the student conduct meeting, then submitting appeal through online form within 72 hours of sanctions being issued. Appeal reviewed by Dean of Students or designated administrator. Appeal grounds typically include unverified: needs human research. Appeals that succeed are usually the ones that ground each argument in the record and the specific policy language, not emotional or general objections.

Do I need a lawyer for a Sacred Heart Dean of Students proceeding?

In most cases, no. Sacred Heart's proceedings follow university policy under Code of Student Conduct & Community Standards, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Sacred Heart's specific procedures, the evidence standard, and how sanctions are assessed. An education advocate typically provides stronger, more targeted guidance than a general-practice attorney because the body of law here is university policy, not criminal or civil procedure. AdvocatED brings deep, specialized expertise in these exact processes at a fraction of a law firm's cost.

How does Sacred Heart handle Title IX cases?

Sacred Heart handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Community Standards & Title IX. Executive Director of Community Standards & Title IX Coordinator: Beth Anne Voight-Jause, voight-jauseb@sacredheart.edu, 203-416-3420. Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Employees: Freda Grant, grantf2@sacredheart.edu, 203-396-8067. Formal grievance process includes live hearing with cross-examination by party adviser. Title IX violations investigated separately from general student conduct but coordinated with Community Standards. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Sacred Heart, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

What are the most common academic misconduct violations at Sacred Heart?

At Sacred Heart, the most frequently cited violations include: alcohol and drug violations; academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating, falsifying records, theft of exams); disruptive behavior; assault. Knowing which violation is alleged is the foundation of an effective defense, because the response strategy differs substantially based on whether the case involves plagiarism, AI use, exam cheating, collaboration, or a procedural technicality.

What are the key deadlines in a Sacred Heart conduct case?

At Sacred Heart, the most consequential deadlines are: Appeal request to Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards: within 24 hours of student conduct meeting; Appeal form submission: within 72 hours after sanctions issued; Dean of Students decision on appeal: within 3 business days (for Title IX matters). Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Dean of Students, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.