RIT Advocacy Program

After you receive a charge letter, you can request an advocate by completing this form. If you have a preference for a particular advocate, you can see the rosters below.

   ♦  List of trained RIT Conduct Advocates
   ♦  Trained RIT Title IX Advocates

Advocates and Advisors of Choice

The RIT Student Conduct process is intended to address Student misconduct in accordance with RIT's community expectations. As an educational experience, the participating Student is expected to take primary responsibility for responding to the incident in question. Throughout the conduct process, Students may find that a trained and knowledgeable advocate can be both supportive and beneficial. The Advocacy Program is a university initiative designed to provide Students with assistance throughout the RIT Student Conduct Process by partnering the Student with a trained RIT faculty or staff member as they engage in the RIT Student Conduct Process ("RIT Advocate"). An RIT Advocate neither represents the Student in the hearing, nor may an RIT Advocate serve as a character witness for the Student. The RIT Advocate serves as a supportive partner to the Student in this educational process. Advocates will provide:

1. Advocacy prior to Conduct Hearings, including:
   1. Meeting with the Student to assist in preparing for the hearing;
   2. Assisting the Student in understanding RIT policies, and the procedures of the Student Conduct Process; and
   3. Assisting the Student in accessing available university resources.
2. Advocacy during Conduct Hearings, including:
   1. Participating in the conduct hearing by providing silent support, assisting the Student in making statements and responding to questions, and/or unless otherwise stated, directly asking questions of witnesses and other conduct hearing participants; and
   2. Assisting the Student in clarifying information pertinent to the incident.
3. Choosing an Advocate. In choosing an Advocate, Students may:
   1. Select a specific person from a list of trained Advocates provided by the Center for Student Conduct;
   2. Request that a selection be made for them from a list of trained Advocates; or
   3. Select an RIT faculty/staff member with whom they are familiar. Advocates who have not yet been trained for advocacy may receive training by the Center for Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. Advocates will not be attorneys admitted to practice law in any court or members of a bar association. Advocates who do not recieve training are considered Advisors of Choice.
      1. Title IX Advisors of Choice may be parents, lawyers, or other non-RIT member. Students will have to choose between a Title IX Advocate or a Title IX Advisor of Choice.
   4. An Advocate will determine, within their sole discretion, whether they are willing to serve as an Advocate in any particular matter. In the event a chosen advocate declines to serve in any particular matter, the Student may select another person.