My DD is a junior is a junior at an Ivy. She recently received an email stating that she has to attend an administrative review meeting with the student conduct coordinator. The Residential Life office conducted a random dorm check and my daughter had two street signs in her room. One is an “Exit” sign she found in the common area of her dorm freshman year (when she was 17) and has had in her room since. The other is a “No through traffic sign” that her boyfriend found when he went to visit her in October. She claims she did not remove either sign from their posts and I am inclined to believe her because she has never been involved in vandalism before (in fact, she’s never been in trouble at school-in high school or college-for anything. She’s anxious and tends to be a rule-follower).
I am wondering what the penalty for this might be? She mentioned a fine but also said that the Res Life people stated they were “cracking down” on signs in dorms. Could she be suspended or even expelled? Does anyone have a child who has gone through something similar?
Lawyer here. She may want to consult with an education attorney before the meeting to understand her rights. The value of an Ivy League education is non-trivial, so it’s worth protecting. She should speak to the atty about what the rules are (is there a no-signs in the dorm rule?), how they were communicated (a handbook? a link to a large, uninteresting document?), and what due process is available (can she bring someone to a hearing? what rules govern random checks? what rules govern decisions, and appeals?).
Having an attorney talk her through this ahead of time will make her more confident, and the process less likely to go off the rails. Words like “cracking down” and “zero tolerance” can mean there’s a bit of an emotional campaign she’ll be facing, and being fully prepared with an understanding of what she’s facing – and what rights she has – will help her stay calm in the face of that emotion.
Former lawyer here. Get an attorney before firing any email back to the office or scheduling a meeting. Predicting a possible sanction is impossible in these circumstances and penalties can be severe.
Vandalism? Quick googling reveals that such sighs are plentiful and inexpensive on Amazon and can be also found at many other retailers. Just saying.
Agree that a chat with an attorney could be helpful.
True but the evidentiary standards and level of doubt required here are far different than a court of law. Innocence isn’t exactly relevant in administrative proceedings whether campus or office related. Get an attorney and do not talk to anyone employed by the university.
Yes, definitely consult an attorney.
Wondering: was the Exit sign in the common area functional or had some other student left it behind? And where did the boyfriend “find” the “No through traffic sign”?
It is pretty hard to get kicked out of some Ivies. I was surprised at the assumed severity and need for a lawyer, but it’s wise to trust these other posters.
I suggest putting nothing in writing regarding the investigation. As remote a chance as you being identified and then forwarded to your child’s college may be, far far stranger things have happened in litigation to the detriment of a defendant.
Getting kicked out short of violent behavior or dealing in contraband is difficult. Suspension is not. A mark on one’s transcript that will severely impact graduate school admissions and/or employment is not at all hard to receive. With a situation like this you either want a nationally recognized specialist in education law/proceedings or a local litigator near the campus. I can guarantee some of the latter have ample experience in this area.