If you are a Purdue student arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), you are facing two separate problems: a criminal case in Tippecanoe County court and a student conduct review at Purdue. Most students do not realize the university runs its own process on its own schedule.
This article explains how Purdue's conduct process works after an OWI, what disciplinary outcomes you may face, and when to contact a criminal defense attorney. Gibson Law Office has represented Purdue students in both criminal and university proceedings for more than 25 years.
Purdue's OSRR monitors local arrest records for enrolled students. When Purdue Police make the arrest, a copy of the report is often sent directly to the OSRR. Arrests by West Lafayette Police, Tippecanoe County Sheriff, or Indiana State Police are typically discovered through the weekly police blotter.
Once the OSRR identifies a student arrest, it initiates a review under Purdue's student regulations. This process is entirely separate from the criminal case. The university does not wait for the court to resolve your charges.
For most OWI arrests, the OSRR assigns a conduct conference. This is a one-on-one meeting with an OSRR Conduct Officer. The officer determines whether you are responsible for violating university regulations and, if so, what sanctions apply.
At the conference, you will be asked to accept or deny responsibility for the alleged violation. The Conduct Officer will also ask questions about the incident. Responsibility is determined by the “preponderance of the information” standard, meaning it only needs to be more likely than not.
These conferences often take place before the criminal case Initial Hearing. That timing creates an urgency on developing a strategy to handle both the criminal case and the Purdue hearing.
If you have prior disciplinary history or face more serious charges, the OSRR may refer your case to a Community Standards Board (CSB) panel hearing. A CSB panel includes three students and two faculty members who serve as the decision-makers.
CSB hearings are more formal than conduct conferences. They are tape-recorded, and prosecutors can subpoena the recording. Possible sanctions include suspension or expulsion. According to Purdue's conduct process overview, you may bring one person for support or as an advisor. Attorney Brett Gibson has extensive experience serving as advisor to Purdue students at CSB panel hearings.
If the OSRR finds you responsible for a violation, the sanctions depend on the severity of the incident and your prior conduct record. Common outcomes include:
For repeat violations or aggravated circumstances, a Community Standards Board panel may impose suspension or expulsion. An OWI arrest can also affect your eligibility for scholarships, study abroad, and student leadership roles, according to Purdue's Alcohol and Other Drug Policy Guide.
Graduate school admissions offices may ask you to waive your FERPA rights to review your disciplinary records at Purdue. Federal employers with security clearance requirements also run background checks. Gibson Law Office helps college students understand how a conduct violation can affect their career and academic future.
A conduct conference might take place while criminal charges are still pending. The OSRR may impose sanctions that overlap with court-ordered requirements. An experienced criminal defense attorney who understands both systems can determine whether to make statements or remain silent. The Purdue sanctions can also become relevant in plea negotiations in the criminal case.
Gibson Law Office attorneys have represented hundreds of Purdue students in OSRR conduct conferences and CSB panel hearings. We understand the interplay between criminal cases and Purdue's administrative process, and we protect your rights in both proceedings. If you are a Purdue student charged with OWI, you should contact Gibson Law Office in Lafayette for a free consultation immediately.
The severity of the criminal charge can influence the university's response. Under Indiana Code § 9-30-5-1, operating a vehicle with an Alcohol Concentration Equivalent (ACE) of .08 or higher but less than .15 is a Class C misdemeanor. An ACE of .15 or higher is a Class A misdemeanor.
If you have a prior OWI conviction in the past seven years, or a passenger under 18 was in the vehicle, the charge becomes a Level 6 felony under Indiana Code § 9-30-5-3. A felony OWI will could trigger more severe university sanctions, including a possible CSB panel hearing.
Your driving privileges may also be affected before the criminal case is resolved. In many cases, your license is suspended once charges are filed. You may need to request Specialized Driving Privileges to keep driving to class or work.
A Purdue student facing an OWI arrest has more at stake than fines and a license suspension. Your university standing, your conduct record, your scholarship eligibility, and your long-term career prospects are all at risk.
If you are a Purdue student arrested for OWI, contact Gibson Law Office to discuss your criminal case and the university disciplinary process. Our attorneys coordinate a defense strategy that protects your rights in court and on campus. Schedule a free consultation by calling Gibson Law Office at 765-742-8440.
Laws and court interpretations can change. This blog is for general information and should not be considered legal advice. For current and case-specific advice, contact an attorney.
Purdue's OSRR monitors local arrest records and often receives police reports directly from Purdue Police. Arrests by other agencies are typically discovered through the weekly police blotter.
Yes, and it often does. The university conduct process runs on its own timeline and does not wait for the court case. This overlap is why having an attorney who understands both proceedings matters.
Sanctions range from disciplinary probation and mandatory alcohol evaluations at a conduct conference to suspension or expulsion following a CSB panel hearing. Whether a conduct conference or CSB panel hearing is assigned depends in part on disciplinary history. Gibson Law Office helps students understand these potential outcomes and prepare for the disciplinary action accordingly.
Prosecutors can subpoena records from Purdue disciplinary proceedings, including audio recordings of CSB panel hearings. However, that is rare. Gibson Law Office advises students on what to say, and what not to say, before the conference takes place.
Purdue allows you to bring an advisor, and that advisor can be an attorney. Gibson Law Office has more than 25 years of experience representing Purdue students in OSRR conduct conferences and CSB hearings, coordinating the conduct process with the criminal defense.
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