Wesleyan Title IX Penalties
Being found guilty of violating someone else’s Title IX rights at Wesleyan University will not result in monetary fines or incarceration. However, there could still be very serious repercussions, especially if you are accused of sexual assault, which also constitutes a violation of the Connecticut Penal Code.
Our team understands how the university sanctions students who violate the Code of Non-Academic Conduct, as well as what unique restrictions may be placed on students accused of Title IX violations. Working closely with a capable defense attorney from Mark Sherman Law could help you minimize your Wesleyan Title IX penalties.
What Is Wesleyan’s Approach to Sanctioning Conduct Violations?
The Wesleyan School Code of Non-Academic Conduct lists 15 distinct types of violations that can result in punishment if the Community Standards Board finds a student guilty. A Title IX offense falls within these Wesleyan violations for which you can be disciplined. All code breaches have point ranges associated with them, ranging from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 10 points. Certain automatic sanctions will be applied if you accumulate a set number of points by committing one or more infringements during your time at the university. These standard sanctions are in addition to any other penalties deemed reasonable for your specific offense(s).
More specifically, if you accumulate 1 to 4 points because of conduct violations, you will receive a disciplinary warning. Anyone who accumulates between 5 and 9 points is subject to disciplinary probation. Students who accumulate 10 or more points from any single offense or combination of offenses will either be suspended from the university for a specific period of time at the administration’s discretion or permanently expelled.
How Wesleyan Categorizes and Punishes Title IX Offenses
The Code of Non-Academic Conduct provides leeway to Wesleyan administrators when assessing the severity of Title IX violations and determining the appropriate penalties within the context of the points system. For example, harassment and abuse may be attributed between 2 and 10 points depending on the circumstances, and sexual misconduct, a term which here includes not only sexual assault but also sexual exploitation, stalking, retaliation, and other offenses, is given between 5 and 10 points.
Additionally, federal law requires the university to provide certain resources and accommodations to Title IX complainants to minimize disruption to their academic careers. This may include class or housing changes, no-contact orders, and even restricting on-campus privileges for the respondent while the investigation is ongoing. While the university is supposed to also minimize disruption to respondents during a complaint, the application of these accommodations often operates in practice as a penalty on the accused. Our attorneys can help you contest this under certain circumstances.
Learn More About Title IX Sanctions at Wesleyan from a Qualified Attorney
Being accused of a Title IX offense can have a resounding impact on your personal and professional prospects. If you are found guilty of such an offense, the repercussions from Wesleyan Title IX penalties can range from slowing down your academic career to ending it altogether. You may also face criminal prosecution.
You do not have to face this scenario alone. You can seek help from a dedicated Title IX lawyer. Read what past clients have shared about working with Mark Sherman Law by visiting our Avvo.com profile here, and then call us to discuss your legal options.