Legislation would give students right to an attorney for disciplinary proceedings

Story here. Excerpt:

'North Dakota legislators introduced a bill Thursday that would grant university students and student organizations the right to be represented by an attorney during university disciplinary proceedings.

The bill, introduced by state Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, would grant students the right to be represented by an attorney or non-attorney advocate at the student’s expense. The right would not extend to hearings regarding allegations of academic dishonesty.

Student organizations would also have the right to an attorney or advocate.

Holmberg said the bill has multiple sponsors, includingstate Rep. Lois Delmore, D-Grand Forks.

“We want to make sure it’s clear that due process has to be followed,” Holmberg said.

The bill comes after a female UND student accused fellow student Caleb Warner of sexual assault in 2010. Although Warner was never charged with a crime, he was banned from the UND campus for three years. His accuser, Jessica Murray, was later charged with falsifying a report to law enforcement. UND’s sanctions against Warner were eventually lifted.'