... nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ...
- The United States Constitution
For the accused, justice requires the opportunity to hear and understand the charge, cross-examine those who are making the charge, have a fair and speedy trial, and have an opportunity to repair the wrong if found guilty. - Thomas Jefferson
The Students and Administration Equality Act is legislation created for the purpose of protecting the rights of students and student organizations on college campuses. This new law allows students the ability to adequately defend themselves by guaranteeing their right to legal representation during any disciplinary procedure when interacting with college administrators.
Prior to this legislation, many campus administrators disallowed students the right to have legal counsel or advisors present when being interviewed by administrators for various allegations. Many students felt the investigative tactics often used by administrators were inappropriate and in some cases abusive.
North Carolina was the first state to adopt this protection when the legislature passed the bill on July 26, 2013 with bipartisan support. Many in other states are now calling for passage of The SAE Act but are been met with organized opposition from college administrators and a special interest group called the Association for Student Conduct Administration.
This website provides the background that led to the success in NC and encourages other states to adopt similar laws that prevent violations of the very basic rights that we were all granted by the Constitution of the United States of America.
© Students and Administration Equality Act.
Designed by FGM
The Students & Administration Equality Act is the first successful legislative initiative of its type in the nation created for the purpose of protecting the right to due process for college students or student organizations when the North Carolina General Assembly approved legislation allowing students the right to legal counsel when interacting with college administrators. The advocates of this effort are especially appreciative of the support it received from The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. (F.I.R.E.)
Governor McCrory Signs Bill
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The SAE Act Becomes Law in NC
Students & Administration Equality Act
“For many students, especially first-generation college students or those who might come from disadvantaged backgrounds, facing down a room full of deans, administrators, and university lawyers when accused of a campus crime is a hugely intimidating task. Giving these students access to legal representation levels the playing field"
Joe Cohn
FIRE Legislative & Policy Director
“Students across America are regularly tried in campus courts for serious offenses like theft, harassment, and even rape. Being labeled a felon and kicked out by your college carries serious, life-altering consequences. Because the stakes are so high, students should have the benefit of an attorney to ensure the hearing is conducted fairly and by the rules,”
Robert Shibley
FIRE Senior Vice President
