Disciplinary Addendum Forum

[zeroeffort]

I was wondering if anybody could lend me advice concerning the best way to properly address a disciplinary action on my addendum?

The situation is as follows.

In my second week of freshman year I was cited for underage drinking and hosting an "event" in my dorm room. I was given a disciplinary hearing by a peer review board and upon review I was required to take a mandatory alcohol education class.

This may sound bad, but in reality the details are as tame as they go.

The incident started the previous night when I ran into my RA dealing with a drunk/sick student. I offered help and she replied in a rude manner.

The next day, having forgotten about this, I and one of my roommates invited four other people into our room to sit down, watch TV, and enjoy a six pack. However, before we even started drinking my RA knocked on the door to apologize. My friend opened the door beer in hand. Seeing the alcohol she asked if there was more and if there was to drain them out in the sink. The six of us were cooperative and complicate. She then, to our surprise, proceeded to write us up. Although in the report she commented on the nature of the situation I ended up in required to attended a peer disciplinary hearing and alcohol class.

I was found to be guilty of drinking underage and hosting despite the fact that an "event" was defined in the student handbook as double occupancy +1 (in my case that would have been 7 people because I lived in a triple). Saying their hands were tied and they couldn't make exceptions they informed me I was to attend alcohol class, despite the fact that I didn't even take a sip.

I know this is not the end of the world but I want to be able to adequately explain the mildness of the situation in conjunction with my harsh punishment without sounding dismissive of "the rules." This is very difficult for me because it is hard for me to get over the feeling of being wronged. This is not how I want to come off. Any advice? Would it be beneficial to tell my story or, instead, let the record/report speak for itself and comment on how I have learned from this experience?

As a note I have not been cited for any other disciplinary action.

[The Agitator]

This should be your addendum:

"During my freshman year I was cited for underage drinking in my dorm room. I was then required to attend an alcohol education class."

Stop being such a clenched anus. (I'm serious).

[philosophy]

you'll probably get rejected from every school for that. everyone that gets into law school has a spotless record.

[YoungFogey]

This should be your addendum:

"During my freshman year I was cited for underage drinking in my dorm room. I was then required to attend an alcohol education class."

Stop being such a clenched anus. (I'm serious).

I would add to the above: "I have had no further disciplinary actions taken against me since."

I'd also say that your last line was unnecessary. While this won't be a big deal, it is an annoyance and most applicants don't know what role something like this will play.

OP: get ready to repeat this story a lot. You'll need to put it on all your applications. Keep a copy because you'll have to regurgitate it every time you want admittance to a bar. It won't be an issue, but you will have to make sure you disclose it each and every time. The citation isn't the problem, it's being consistent with disclosing it that you don't want to screw up on.

[The Agitator]

I'd also say that your last line was unnecessary. While this won't be a big deal, it is an annoyance and most applicants don't know what role something like this will play.

These questions come up all the time, and I find that it is necessary to say something like that, however brusque it may be. Some people can't fathom that this has happened to 90% of college students and that it will have no effect on their applications, and treating their fears as silly (which they are) with a bit of dismissive language does more to alleviate them than answering in another way.

I'd agree on adding that line.

[YoungFogey]

These questions come up all the time, and I find that it is necessary to say something like that, however brusque it may be. Some people can't fathom that this has happened to 90% of college students and that it will have no effect on their applications, and treating their fears as silly (which they are) with a bit of dismissive language does more to alleviate them than answering in another way.

Yeah, I see your point. I probably read it with a bit more brusqueness than was intended.

[drleather]

Wait...

Does this appear on your record? Most schools ask for a record of disciplinary measures if A) you've been put on probation or B) they require a Dean's Certification.

It's better to be safe than sorry (and in either case this won't hurt you), but I'm not sure you even have to mention this unless you were put on probation. What does the application say?

EDIT: In other words, I would check with your dean's office to see if this is on your permanent record. If it is, than absolutely report it briefly. If it's not in your permanent file, I wouldn't worry about it. I had one or two write ups in college (didn't have a board hearing, though) for drinking, and my dean's certification was clean.

[sjk]

Disclose it for sure. I agree to keep the addendum short and to the point. Any attempt at explanation (even though it is a real explanation) will just sound like you are making excuses. Better to just say what happened and move on. Not a big deal.

[Moon_Man]

Disclose it for sure. I agree to keep the addendum short and to the point. Any attempt at explanation (even though it is a real explanation) will just sound like you are making excuses. Better to just say what happened and move on. Not a big deal.

Yeah. The story is totally boring and sounds like you are making excuses anyway.