Due process and fundamental fairness are in crisis on America’s college and university campuses. Learn how Student Defenders groups protect student rights across the nation.
Every semester, college students across the country face potential punishment, including suspension or expulsion, for alleged conduct code violations. Going through the disciplinary process can be confusing and scary, and colleges often don’t give students a fair chance to defend themselves. Students deserve to have someone guiding and looking out for them.
Student defenders do exactly that. They know their college’s policies, and can tell accused students what to expect and what their options are. They can help students prepare their cases and advocate for themselves, while watching to make sure the school’s written procedures are followed.
WATCH: Bailey Hall explains the roll of FIRE's Student Defenders
Let FIRE help you set up a Student Defenders group at your school. If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to email us at studentdefenders@thefire.org. We’re happy to assist however we can, from analyzing your school’s policies, to developing a strategy to work with administrators, to sending a FIRE staff member to campus to speak with you and your peers.
For a thorough analysis of due process rights on campus, consult FIRE’s Guide to Due Process and Campus Justice to learn more about the rights that students should have within campus disciplinary proceedings and warning signs that student due process rights may be at risk.
FIRE’s Student Defenders program provides students with the resources they need to start, maintain, and grow their campus Student Defenders groups.
Due process and the right to a fair hearing is threatened on college campuses across America.
Student Defenders help educate fellow students on their rights during a campus disciplinary proceeding.
From drafting a mission statement to electing officers, fill in the blanks to get started!
What’s the difference between a student conduct process and a criminal process? FIRE has the answers.
As a law student, you have the knowledge and skills that can help protect due process for your fellow students.
We’re here to make sure students have their rights upheld.
Marvi Ali served as a student defender on the Conduct and Honor Advisor Program at the College of William & Mary.
Campus Student Defenders groups have no formal connection to FIRE and will vary in size and structure. But they are united in their mission to promote fairness in campus disciplinary proceedings and to protect due process for their fellow students.
FIRE wants to hear about your Student Defenders group. We may even be able to provide financial support.
At most colleges, students can apply for money allocated by student governments.
How to disclose your group’s finances, governance, and achievements.
If you face suspension or expulsion from a public university, you have a right to hear the evidence against you and to have an opportunity to rebut it.
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