Student Bill of Rights in conjunction with NYS Education Law Article 129-B, also known as “Enough is Enough” legislation.


The following student’s Bill of Rights lists the rights students can expect when reporting sexual offenses and relationship violence to St. Joseph’s Seminary (the “Seminary”). All students have the right to:

• Make a report to the Seminary

• Be protected by the Seminary from retaliation for reporting an incident

• Receive assistance and resources from the Seminary

• Make a report to local law enforcement, and/or the state police

• Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault treated seriously

• Make a decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation and participate in the judicial or conduct process and/or criminal justice process free from pressure by the institution

• Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard

• Be treated with dignity and to receive from the institution courteous, fair, and respectful health care and counseling services, where available

• Be free from any suggestion that the reporting individual is at fault when these crimes and violations are committed, or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such crimes or violations

• Describe the incident to as few institution representatives as practicable and not be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident

• Be protected from retaliation by the institution, any student, the accused, and/or the respondent, and/or their friends, family, and acquaintances, within the jurisdiction of the institution

• Access at least one level of appeal of a determination

• Be accompanied by an advisor of choice who can serve as support for a reporting individual, accused, or respondent throughout the conduct process, however is unable to actively participate in the process by asking or answering questions on the student’s behalf

• Have the institution’s judicial/student conduct process run concurrently with any criminal justice investigations and proceedings

• Be presumed to be not responsible until a determination is reached

• Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice, or judicial or conduct process of the institution