Students who are referred for student conduct action are afforded the following rights:
- Prompt notification and explanation of the allegations.
- A fair, open-minded and objective consideration of the matter being discussed.
- A timely hearing by the Student Conduct Board or Administrative Hearing Officer.
- The opportunity to present their information surrounding an event.
- An advisor, who is a member of the Merrimack College community, which the student(s) must arrange for themselves.
- Advisors may not be attorneys. Attorneys may only participate in very limited circumstances where a student has pending criminal charges that are related to the matter being discussed in the hearing. Please see the Associate Dean of Students for the rules regarding attorney participation.
- Advisors serve as emotional support for students through the process. They do not actively participate in the hearing process beyond their contact with the student they are advising. They are not able to serve in another capacity through the hearing in which they are advising the student. Please see the Dean of Students office if you are looking for an advisor and recommendations can be provided.
- To present a reasonable number of witnesses and/or written character references at hearings.
- The opportunity to question, directly or indirectly, people presenting testimony against them.
- To submit an appeal or petition to the Dean of Students Office. All appeals should be submitted in writing within three working days from the date that the student is notified of the findings or when new information becomes available.
