Role of Advisors

Note: For informational purposes. Consult The Key Student Handbook for the official and most up-to-date policies.  For advisor information for Title IX or sexual harassment and misconduct cases, please refer to KU's Sexual Misconduct Policy.  

Role of Advisors in the Student Conduct Process:

Parties are permitted to have an advisor accompany them to any hearing or meeting that the party is required to attend. Each party is responsible for coordinating and scheduling with their choice of advisor. In all conduct matters except those addressed through the Sexual Misconduct Policy, the advisor may not speak or participate directly in any aspect of student conduct hearings, but rather can only consult and interact privately with their student in accordance with the procedures below.

1. A student complainant or student respondent has a right to an advisor by:

a. A member of the University community who may be a student, staff member or faculty member.
b. A private attorney whose expenses will be borne by the student.

If necessary, you may meet with your advisor of choice on campus. Should you need a meeting space, please call Conference and Event Services at 610-683-1359, to reserve your meeting space.

2. The advisor may not be a party, witness, or potential witness in the matter

3. Any student having an advisor is required to notify the Dean of Students Office or their case officer with the name and contact information of their advisor.

4. All meeting/hearing dates and times as well as information, including the description of charges, names of witnesses, substance of testimony, and other types of evidence, which may be used, will be supplied to the student throughout the student conduct process. Advisors will have access to this information through the student. While the University will consider information regarding advisor schedules and availability, the scheduling of meetings and hearings throughout the student conduct process is at the discretion of the University.

5. During the preliminary briefing or other student conduct meetings, excluding hearings, the advisor may interact with the case officer or designated University official during the meeting.

6. During hearings, neither party’s advisor will have a formal or interactive role with the hearing authority or witnesses. The student will be granted reasonable opportunities during the hearing to privately confer with their advisor.

7. If the advisor is not a student, the student will be considered as host while the advisor is on campus. Any disruptive or disorderly behavior on the part of the advisor may result in charges being filed against the student under the following conduct standards: Abuse of the Student Conduct Process and/or Responsibility for Actions of Guests.

8. The Dean of Students Office reserves the right to assign a University official to attend any student conduct hearing, proceeding, or meeting for the purposes including, but not limited to, advising hearing boards or University officials on procedures and/or for the purposes of evaluation or assessment.