Legal Counsel or Advisors

The Respondent, the individual filing the complaint and/or the alleged victim if a third-party complaint, may have an advisor accompany him or her at any stage of the disciplinary process.  The advisor may be an individual that is a member either of the faculty, staff, or a student at the College. The role of an advocate or advisor is to provide support during the process.  The advisor is not permitted to speak on behalf of the Respondent during the investigation stage of the process but may be present to provide advice and support.

The Respondent, the individual filing the complaint and/or the alleged victim may be represented by a representative and/or legal counsel, paid for at his/her expense, at a hearing for charges where suspension, expulsion or program dismissal may be a possible outcome. Any lawyer appearing at a hearing on a student’s behalf must be licensed to practice law in the State of West Virginia and may actively participate in the hearing.  Advisors otherwise are not permitted to speak during the hearing but may provide advice and support.

A student should select an advisor or legal counsel whose schedule allows attendance at the scheduled date and time for the hearing. Delays will not normally be allowed due to the scheduling conflicts of an advisor or legal counsel. Further, failure to secure an advisor or legal counsel will not cause a hearing to be postponed or canceled.