exhibit 8 request for documents

Upload: sean-pitman-md

Post on 03-Apr-2018

247 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • 7/28/2019 Exhibit 8 Request for Documents

    1/3

    Dean Sue CurtisAssociate Vice-President of Student LifeDean of StudentsJanuary 13, 2010Dear Mrs. Curtis,On Monday, January 11, 2010, I received in the mail two documents. The firstletter, which is signed by you, notifies me the "Judicial Committee" has placed meon Citizenship Probation. Your letter defines Citizen Probation as "disciplinarystatus indicating that a student is in serious violation of policy."Your letter also indicates a second document was included to outline my rights.This second document is undated, unsigned, and is addressed to "Students UnderSuspension." Although unsigned, the letter indicates it is from the Vice-President ofStudent Life and the Dean of Students. I have attached both of these documents tothis e-mail for your reference.The Student Handbook defines Citizenship Probation as follows:

    "Disciplinary status indicating that a student is in serious violation ofpolicy.Citizenship Probation is an automatic consequence with suspension."

    The above underlined language appears in the Student Handbook, in addition to thelanguage cited in your letter. In our conversation last week you specifically told me Iwas not suspended. The definition in the Handbook states otherwise.In addition to being addressed to Students Under Suspension, the undateddocument you sent is entitled, "Rights, Responsibilities, and Appeals processavailable to students suspended from La Sierra University." The same documentalso states: "This letter is to inform you of your rights and responsibilities and ofthe appeal process in use on this campus for students suspended from theUniversity. The student who is suspended has a right to appeal. The first processavailable to the student is to request reinstatement to the University in writingwithin a week of the date of this letter to the Student Life Committee." Thisdocument repeatedly states I am suspended. All of this is very confusing to me.Regardless of whether I am actually prevented from attending classes, the officialdefinition of Citizenship Probation includes an automat ic suspension. This is alsoconsistent with the appeal document you sent to me as described above. This isserious because my official student record/file (which will include bo th of theattached documents) will show I have been suspended from La Sierra University fora serious violation. This could have negative consequences and be detrimental tomy future goals in life. I do not believe this disciplinary action is fair orappropriate. Please consider this letter as my written notice of appeal.

  • 7/28/2019 Exhibit 8 Request for Documents

    2/3

    Additionally, I do not believe the other actions taken against me have been fair orappropriate and I intend to appeal these actions as well. Specifically, please considerthis letter as my written notice of appeal for my admission to La Sierra Universitybeing delayed in September 2009, resulting in my missing the first week of school.Please also consider this let ter as my written notice of appeal for the "Letter ofCensure" which I received from the Judicial Committee on December 8, 2009. I t isimportant for all of the historic charges agains t me to be appealed because I believethe previous allegations about me, if unresolved, will affect the outcome of myCitizenship Probation appeal.In the e-mail I received from you today, you said the Student Life Committee will bemeeting this coming Tuesday, January 19th at 1:30PM to consider my case. Thisdoes not give me much time to prepare for my defense. Because of these timeconstraints I respectfully request the following documentation to be given to me byno later than Friday, January 15, 2010:

    A copy of my complete student fileCopies of all formal and informal complaints filed against me, includingverbal complaints by any students, faculty or staff.A specific description of the charges and/or infractions that La Sierra iscurrently or has in the past alleged against me.The exact cites from the Student Handbook which La Sierra is currently, orhas in the past, alleged I have violated, as well as all supporting evidencereferring or relating to these allegations.All documentation and information relating to why such severe disciplinaryactions have been taken agains t me, despite my apologizing for my actionsand misunderstandings and my sincere attempts to make things right.Information on the Judicial Committee, including to a list of individuals whoare presently on this committee as well as those who were on this committeesas of December 3, 2009. Please also provide information on the committee'sauthority to act and areas of responsibility. I have not been able to find anyinformation on this committee.Information on the Discipline Commit tee, including a list of individuals whowere on this committee the week of September 21-25, 2009, as well as thiscommittee's authority and areas of responsibility.

    2

  • 7/28/2019 Exhibit 8 Request for Documents

    3/3

    Information on the Admissions Committee, including a list of individualswho were on this committee the week of September 21-25, 2009, as well asthis committee's authority an d areas of responsibility.Information on the Student Life Committee, including a list of individualswho are currently on this committee, as well as this committee's authorityand areas of responsibility.All communication records including but not limited to e-mails, memos,letters, telephone/ call records and notes, referring or relating to me,including bu t not limited to communications from the following offices anddepartments: Student Life, Vice-President for Student Life; Dean ofStudents, President's Office; Biology Department, Religion Department,Chaplain's Office, and the Provost's Office.A list of all individuals who have attended the various meetings and/orproceedings against me and/or who have provided evidence for or againstme, and all supporting documentation.All evidence files referring or relating to meAll notes, files, and records for any of the various meetings or proceedingsrelating to me, including all video or audio recordings or transcriptions.

    To save mailing time and expense, I will be happy to personally come to your officeto collect these documents. Please let me know when it is convenient for me to do so.Although the various proceedings against me have been very discouraging and timeintensive and have adversely affected my academic studies. I am looking forward tothe opportunity to appear before this committee. I am relieved to be able to finallyknow what evidence is being used against me, and for the first time to be able topersonal ly defend myself.Please send me as much information about the appeals process as possible, includinghow much time will be allotted to my case, a description of the procedures, and theamount of time I will be given to present my side of the case. I would also like torequest a tape recording or a video recording be made of this proceeding to protectmy rights and to establish an accurate record.The appeal document included with your letter and attached above states thefollowing:

    I f he students so requests, the Dean of Students will invite a faculty memberof the student's own choice to participate in the discussion of the StudentLife Committee.

    3