California College Suspensions And The Right To A Hearing Within Ten Days
By Michelle Ball , California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Pursuant to California Education Code section 66017 , a California Community College, California State University (CSU), or University of California (UC) may suspend a student for willful disruption, to protect lives or property, or to ensure the maintenance of order. [This is not an exhaustive list.] However, if the suspension by the college is issued immediately (e.g. the student is kicked off campus right then), the student is legally entitled, per this section, to a hearing within 10 days. If the college suspension is not issued immediately (e.g. the student is still allowed to attend classes) or is merely proposed, 66017 states that the hearing must be "prompt" which may or may not mean "within 10 days." I would argue the college student is still entitled to a hearing within that amount of time. Section 66017 also instructs colleges to adopt procedures and appoint personnel to deal...