Student Conduct and Discipline

Discipline Hearing Overview

Students involved in disciplinary proceedings have the right to be assisted by an advisor of their choice or to have one appointed to them by the college. With the student's written consent via this online form, the advisor may receive updates during the adjudication process and participate in the hearing as an advisor or advocate.

If a student elects to bring an advocate or advisor who is also licensed as an attorney, the student must give the student affairs office five days notice and the name, phone number, and e-mail address of the attorney. The role of the attorney in the student disciplinary process remains limited to that of an advisor or advocate.

The advisors and advocates shall not:

address the hearing chair, committee members, district witnesses, or the district representative to respond on behalf of the student;
ask questions about the case or its findings; or
coach the student on what to say or what to not say during the disciplinary hearing.

An advisor or advocate who disrupts the hearing proceedings (as determined by the dean of students or hearing committee chair) may be asked to leave. Hearings will not be delayed due to an advocate or advisor not showing up or attending the proceedings late.

A student may only have one person accompany them during a disciplinary hearing and they may choose whether this person will serve as an advisor or advocate. The student's advisor or advocate will have access to training materials regarding the college's adjudication procedures. The training materials and video are available in the accordion tabs below.

updated May 7, 2025

Selecting an Advisor or Advocate+-

If a student chooses to have an advisor or advocate (see definitions below), they must complete this online form.

Advisor vs. Advocate Comparison

Summary
- Advisor: Procedural guide; may cross-examine, but limited speaking role
- Advocate: Emotional/resource support; cannot cross-examine or speak for student
Primary Focus
- Advisor: Procedural guidance, policy explanation, and cross-examination
- Advocate: Emotional support, confidential services, and resource access
Speaking on Student's Behalf
- Advisor: Cannot speak for student (except for cross-examination during hearing)
- Advocate: Cannot speak for student at any time
Cross-Examination
- Advisor: May cross-examine witnesses during hearing
- Advocate: Not permitted to cross-examine
Hearing Preparation
- Advisor: Helps student prepare for meetings and hearings
- Advocate: Same as advisor
Accompanying Student
- Advisor: May accompany student to meetings/hearings
- Advocate: Same as advisor
Confidential Services
- Advisor: Not provided
- Advocate: May provide confidential services, especially in sexual harassment/violence cases
Resource Coordination
- Advisor: May assist with accommodations
- Advocate: Coordinates with on-campus and community resources
Emotional Support
- Advisor: Limited; focus is procedural
- Advocate: Primary focus is emotional support
Understanding Policies
- Advisor: Assists student in understanding college policies and procedures
- Advocate: Same as advisor
Filing Appeals
- Advisor: May assist
- Advocate: Same as advisor
Requirement to Provide
- Advisor: College must provide if requested (AB 1575)
- Advocate: College is not required to provide for hearings

Key Differences

Advisors can cross-examine witnesses and provide procedural guidance, but cannot otherwise speak on the student's behalf.
Advocates focus on emotional support and resource access, do not cross-examine or speak for the student, and may offer confidential services in sensitive cases.
Colleges must provide an advisor if requested, but are not required to provide an advocate for disciplinary hearings.

Role of an Advisor+-

Advisors

An advisor accompanies a student to meetings related to the hearing process and focuses on procedural guidance related to the college's disciplinary process but may not speak on the student's behalf. However, the advisor may cross-examine on the student's behalf. Advisors do not have any other speaking roles during the hearing.

Advisors may assist a student with:

hearing preparation.
accompanying the student to meetings or hearings related to the disciplinary process.
helping the student prepare for meetings or hearings.
assisting the student in understanding the college policies and procedures.
conducting cross-examination during the disciplinary hearing.
conferring with the student before or after proceedings.
filing appeals.
accessing accommodations.

Role of an Advocate+-

Advocates

An advocate accompanies a student to meetings related to the hearing process and focuses on providing emotional support and access to resources during the disciplinary process but may not speak on the student's behalf or cross-examine district witnesses.

Advocates typically assist a student with:

confidential services to students involved in cases of sexual harassment or sexual violence.
coordinating with on-campus resources and community-based organizations.
emotional support.
helping the student prepare for meetings or hearings.
accompanying the student to meetings or hearings related to the disciplinary process as a support person.
assisting the student in understanding college policies and procedures.
conferring with the student before or after proceedings.
filing appeals.
accessing accommodations.

Please note that the college is not required to provide an advocate for disciplinary hearings.

Training Materials and Video+-

Citrus College Board Policy: Board Policy 5500 Standards of Conduct
This board policy provides information regarding the college's standards of conduct and the various violations.

Citrus College Administrative Procedure: Administrative Policy 5520 Student Discipline Procedures
This administrative procedure provides information regarding the college's disciplinary hearing process, which outlines due process rights for students and includes definitions of various terms.

Video on YouTube: Discipline Hearings Decoded: A Guide for Advisors and Advocates
This video outlines how a college disciplinary hearing is conducted as well as the standard of evidence required to find a student responsible for violating the standards of conduct.