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 & College (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