Role of Advisors

Understanding the Role of an Advisor in the Student Conduct Process
University of New Mexico – Dean of Students Office

At the University of New Mexico (UNM), we recognize that participating in the student conduct process can feel overwhelming. The Dean of Students Office is committed to ensuring that you understand both your rights and the procedures involved. A key resource available to you is the option to have an advisor, who can provide support and guidance throughout the process.

 

An advisor is an individual selected by the student to offer support and guidance throughout the student conduct process.

  • It is the student's choice whether to have an advisor present during the student conduct process; having an advisor is optional and not required.
  • The advisor’s role in meetings or hearings is limited in accordance with the Student Disciplinary Procedures (SDP) of the Dean of Students Office.

Students may be accompanied by one (1) advisor during any meeting or hearing related to the conduct process. An advisor can be a family member, friend, attorney, or another personal or professional connection.

You must notify the University Official conducting the meeting or hearing at least three (3) business days in advance. This notice must include:

  • The name of your advisor.
  • Your relation to the advisor.
  • Whether your advisor is an attorney, so the Hearing Officer can notify the University of New Mexico’s Office of University Counsel (OUC).

*Advisors will not be permitted to attend without prior notification. University Officials are not obligated to reschedule meetings or hearings to accommodate advisors who were not properly disclosed in advance.

You may choose to have an attorney serve as your advisor however:

  • The same rules apply to attorneys as to all other advisors.
  • Attorneys are not afforded any special privileges or access.
  • If you choose to designate an attorney as your advisor, this will be at your own expense.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords parents (or advisors) the right to have access to the student’s education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records. When a student turns 18 years old, or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student.

The FERPA Proxy Form authorizes UNM to share your education records with a designated individual (such as an advisor).

Students must complete and submit this form to the Office of the Registrar before an advisor is allowed to attend any meeting or hearing.

Advisors, including attorneys, may:

  • Provide emotional support to the student during meetings or hearings.
  • Listen and take notes on behalf of the student.

Advisors may not:

  • Speak on your behalf or directly address the University Official.
  • Act as representative of the student.
  • Present arguments, evidence, or objections.
  • Disrupt or interfere with the proceedings.
Serve as a both a witness and advisor in the same investigation or hearing. 

Advisors must comply with the conduct procedures outlined here. If an advisor violates these procedures:

  • The University Official may issue a verbal warning.
  • If disruption continues, the advisor may be removed from the meeting or hearing.
  • The Hearing Officer may pause or discontinue a meeting or hearing if the advisor does not maintain appropriate decorum.
  • The University Official is not required to reschedule the meeting or hearing after an advisor’s removal or a discontinued proceeding.

Note:

  • The Hearing Officer will not interact directly with the advisor, except when necessary to maintain order.
  • At the discretion of the Hearing Officer, students may be allowed brief breaks to confer with their advisor.

The student, in coordination with the Hearing Official, is solely responsible for scheduling all meetings or hearings.

  • While reasonable efforts will be made to include the advisor, scheduling will not be delayed due to an advisor's unavailability.

For additional support or to clarify any part of this process, please contact the Dean of Students Office.