Due Process & Student Rights

The University of Montevallo is an educational institution. At educational institutions, student disciplinary processes do not follow the same procedures as a court of law and are not intended to duplicate a court of law. However, the University of Montevallo does provide due process rights to students involved in any alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct. All students involved in an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct will be treated with respect by all University officials and will receive a timely response and appropriate resolution. The credibility of the complaint and the decision to move forward with charges will be determined after a preliminary investigation of the complaint. In some situations, relevant University representatives may be consulted.

Individuals accused of a violation shall be:

Notified of alleged violations against him/her/them.
Provided no less than three (3) school days notice of conduct hearing.
Right to a fair and objective hearing.
Opportunity to read and review the incident report prior to the hearing date.
Students can have no more than one (1) silent support person attend the hearing.
Given five (5) days to appeal the decision and be informed on proper procedure for filing an appeal.
Informed of the final decision in the case.

Individuals who file sexual misconduct or abuse, stalking, domestic violence, and/or dating violence complaints are afforded additional rights within the University disciplinary process including:

The right to be informed of the outcome and pathway projects(s)/sanction(s) of the disciplinary case
The right to appeal the findings in accordance with University appeal procedures

Complainants of sexual misconduct or abuse, stalking, domestic violence, and/or dating violence also has the right to have his/her/their name withheld as confidential in matters of public record-keeping and timely warning to the campus community. Identifying information about the survivor will be withheld or redacted in public records to the extent permissible by law.

In addition, no one shall retaliate, intimidate, threaten, coerce, or otherwise discriminate against any individual for exercising his/her/their lawful right and responsibility to report a situation involving sexual misconduct or abuse, stalking, domestic violence, and/or dating violence.