North Carolina

North Carolina is home to many well-known colleges and universities, including Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, Wake Forest University, and East Carolina University. Students at these and other schools may face unexpected academic, disciplinary, or other school-related challenges that can affect their education and future.

Whether the issue involves academic requirements, misconduct allegations, Title IX, or another school policy, understanding your rights and the disciplinary process is important. Schwartz & Arminavage’s Student Defense Team helps students and families navigate these difficult situations.

Below, we discuss common issues facing North Carolina students and what to expect during investigations, disciplinary proceedings, appeals, and other school-related matters.

North Carolina colleges and universities have codes of conduct that establish expectations for student behavior. Violations can lead to investigations and disciplinary proceedings, with potential consequences ranging from warnings and probation to suspension or expulsion. Two common areas of concern are sexual misconduct and academic misconduct.

Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct allegations are among the most serious disciplinary matters a student can face. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s policies, for example, address conduct including:

• Sex-based discrimination
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual assault
• Sexual exploitation
• Dating and domestic violence
• Stalking
• Retaliation

Schools also maintain their own policies for investigating and resolving allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct.

For students involved in these proceedings—whether as a complainant or respondent—understanding the school’s policies and procedures is critical. The outcome of a sexual misconduct case can have serious academic and disciplinary consequences, including suspension or expulsion.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is different from simply struggling academically. It generally involves allegations that a student violated the school’s academic integrity rules.

Examples may include:

• Plagiarism
• Cheating
• Unauthorized collaboration
• Using unauthorized assistance on an exam or assignment
• Fabricating or falsifying information or data
• Misrepresenting sources or citations
• Helping another student engage in academic misconduct

Every North Carolina college and university has its own policies for handling academic and disciplinary matters. If you are facing an allegation, reviewing your school’s specific code of conduct, academic integrity policies, and disciplinary procedures is an important first step toward understanding what happens next.

The procedures used by North Carolina colleges and universities vary depending on the school and the type of issue involved. Public and private institutions may follow different legal requirements, but most schools have established procedures for addressing academic concerns and allegations of student misconduct.

If your school believes you may have violated a policy or has concerns about your academic standing, the process may include:

• Written notice explaining the allegations or concerns
• A meeting with a professor, administrator, or other school official
• An investigation into the circumstances
• An opportunity to review relevant evidence
• An opportunity to explain your side of the story
• A disciplinary hearing or other decision-making process
• A written decision explaining the outcome and any sanctions imposed

The consequences will depend on the nature and severity of the issue, as well as the school’s policies. Possible sanctions may include warnings, educational requirements, probation, loss of privileges, suspension, or, in serious cases, expulsion. Academic misconduct may also result in consequences such as a reduced grade or failure of an assignment or course.

These consequences can affect more than a student’s immediate standing at school. Depending on the circumstances, disciplinary action may affect a student’s academic record, ability to remain enrolled, professional opportunities, or plans for graduate or professional school.

If you disagree with the outcome, your school may provide an opportunity to appeal. Appeals generally must be based on specific grounds established by the school and are often subject to strict deadlines, making it important to understand your options before moving forward.

If you receive an unfavorable Title IX decision from a North Carolina college or university, your school may provide an opportunity to appeal. The exact appeal process varies by institution, so students should carefully review their school’s Title IX policies and the instructions included with the written decision.

At North Carolina schools, an appeal is generally not a new hearing or an opportunity to simply present the same arguments again. Instead, appeals are typically limited to specific grounds established by the school, which may include:

• Procedural errors that affected the outcome
• New evidence that was not reasonably available earlier
• A conflict of interest or bias involving someone responsible for the Title      IX process
• Other grounds specifically permitted by the school’s policies

North Carolina colleges and universities may also impose strict deadlines and formatting requirements for appeals. Missing a deadline or failing to raise an available issue properly can significantly limit a student’s options.

Before appealing, it is important to review the school’s decision, evidence, hearing record, and applicable policies. An experienced Title IX attorney-advisor familiar with student disciplinary matters at North Carolina schools can help identify potential grounds for appeal and develop a strategy for challenging the decision.