Code of Conduct Violation and Disposition Forms:

A Disposition Form is a document that spells out the alleged violation and stipulates that the student admits the allegations. Generally, Disposition Forms are only offered to the “first-time” offender in lieu of a contested hearing. While the signing of a Disposition form may seem like a good idea, it is not. A Disposition form basically spells out that the student is guilty of the alleged violation but has chosen not to proceed to a contested college hearing. Signing a Disposition Form waives the student’s right to Due Process and student accepts any sanction.

Students are often blind-sided by the allegations levelled against them and when they start to realize the seriousness of the allegations and the extensive nature of the process, many fall into the trap of signing the Disposition Form thinking it is the easier and cheaper route.

There are many reasons that may make a student sign the Disposition Form, ranging from the fear of having to inform their parents of the allegation or to just being too busy with school work and not having the time to commit to the process.

The problem with the signing the disposition form is that while it may seem like a win for the student, it is only a temporary win, if it can be considered win at all. The student must remember that a disposition form is an admission of guilt. Signing a disposition form waives the student’s right to a hearing and limits the ability to appeal the sanction that is given afterwards. But most importantly, a disposition form does not make the allegation go away. In reality, upon signing a disposition form, a disciplinary record is created in the student’s name and is considered the first strike so that the next time a student is accused of any other violation, the record of the first disposition is counted against the student. An initial disposition and a subsequent allegation creates an unnecessary escalation of issues and causes the student to face even more severe sanctions such as suspension or expulsion.

Students and parents are hardly aware that of the pitfalls and traps underlying the disciplinary process. Students have rights and need to defend those rights, but it starts by seeking for advice in the right place.