Student Conduct Code - Section 8. Sanctions

As part of the University conduct and conduct process, a student who is found responsible for violating any University policy may be mandated to an assessment through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and/or a licensed outside agency. As part of that mandate, the Office of Student Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities reserves the right to confirm with CAPS or other agency that the student contacted, signed up for, and completed his/her sessions. This confirmation applies only to the student's attendance and completion and not to the content disclosed during the sessions.

The following sanctions may be imposed upon any student found to have violated the Student Conduct Code. This list is not exhaustive. All sanctions are cumulative, and a student’s conduct history will be taken into consideration when issuing a sanction. Sanctions also may be enhanced based on the severity of the behavior and impact on the University community. More than one sanction may be imposed for any single violation.

1. Warning: A written reprimand for violations of specified University policies or campus regulations, including notice to the student that continued or repeated violations of specified University policies or campus regulations may be cause for further conduct action.
2. Probation: A period of time specified for observing and evaluating a student’s conduct, with or without special conditions. Further violations while on probation may result in more severe conduct action, ordinarily in the form of loss of privileges and exclusion from activities, suspension, or expulsion. Probation will be imposed for a specific period of time, and the student will be removed from probation when the period expires. Conduct Probation is a serious encumbrance upon a student’s good standing in the University and may render the student ineligible for extra-curricular activities.
3. Loss of Privileges: Denial of participation in designated privileges and extracurricular activities for a specified period of time. Violation of any conditions in the loss of privileges and exclusion from activities sanction or violations of other policies or campus regulations during the sanction period may be cause for further conduct action, ordinarily in the form of suspension or expulsion.
4. Fines: Monetary fines may be imposed on students or student organizations for violations of the Student Conduct Code.
5. Restitution: Compensation for damage to or misappropriation of University property may be imposed either exclusively or in combination with other conduct action. Reimbursement may also be imposed for damage to the property of or injury to another person as a result of a violation of the Student Conduct Code. Such reimbursement may take the form of monetary payment or appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for damages. Restitution may be imposed on any student acting alone, or through group or concerted activities, or on any campus organization that participates in causing the damages or expenses.
6. Exclusion: Exclusion of a student from specified areas of the campus or campus activities. Violation of the conditions of exclusion or of University policies or campus regulations during the period of exclusion may be cause for further conduct action, which ordinarily is in the form of University suspension.
7. Residence Hall Relocation: Relocation of a student in University-operated housing may occur when the student has demonstrated that he or she is unable to be successful in his or her current location by virtue of repeated violations of the Student Conduct Code and/or Residence Life policies.
8. Residence Hall Pre-Removal: When a student has demonstrated a pattern of behavior that is contrary to the behavioral expectations of community living, he or she will be given formal notice that any further violation for which they are found responsible will result in immediate residence hall expulsion.
9. Residence Hall Suspension: Separation of the student from the residence halls for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified.
10. Residence Hall Expulsion: The student is removed and permanently banned from the residence halls.
11. Discretionary Sanctions: The following are examples of discretionary sanctions:
    • Essays, reflections or research papers.
    • Service to the University or local community.
    • Behavioral assessment or counseling sessions related to inappropriate conduct or violations of the Student Conduct Code.
    • Deferred sanctions may be imposed as deemed appropriate by the Director of Student Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities or designee. Such sanctions could include deferred residence hall expulsion, deferred University suspension or deferred University expulsion. Specific conditions accompany a deferred sanction and any violation or failure to complete the conditions would result in the immediate University Suspension or Expulsion.
    • In cases involving drug or alcohol abuse, the student may be referred to an appropriate on or off-campus resource for assessment and may be required to random drug testing (at his/her own expense) as a condition for continued enrolment at the University.
    • Other related discretionary assignments.
12. University Suspension: Separation of the student from the University for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified.
13. University Expulsion: Permanent separation of the student from the University.
14. Ineligibility for Graduation: A graduating student involved with alleged Code violations prior to graduation may not graduate, participate in graduation ceremonies, or receive a diploma until the matter has been processed and sanctions completed.
15. Revocation of Admission and/or Degree: Admission to the University or a degree awarded from the University may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, or other violation of University standards in obtaining the degree, or for other serious violations committed by a student prior to matriculation or graduation.
16. Withholding Degree: The University may withhold the diploma of students who have been charged with a violation of University policy even though they have completed all academic requirements. In circumstances where expulsion is a possibility for conduct violations, the diploma may be withheld until the conduct charges have been resolved and/or sanctions completed.

Other than University suspension, expulsion, or revocation or withholding of a degree, conduct sanctions will not be made part of the student’s permanent academic record, but will become part of the student’s conduct record.

Sanctions for Violations of the Alcohol and Drug Policy
The sanctions listed in this section are for alcohol and drug violations. These guidelines are a minimum standard. A conduct officer may choose to administer additional sanctions if it is determined there is reason to escalate the sanction due to the severity of the violation, or if the student has a previous conduct record. For instance, housing expulsion can be assigned on the first or second offense if the violation is coupled with any other serious Student Conduct Code violation. If deemed necessary, the University may mandate alcohol and other drug assessment or treatment though the University’s conduct process.

Violations of the Alcohol and Drug Policy, both the alcohol and drug provisions, are cumulative throughout the student’s tenure at the University, and the University may refer cases to federal, state and/or local authorities. In determining appropriate sanctions for students found responsible for Alcohol and Drug Policy violations, the conduct officer shall consider the particular substance involved and the severity of the violation. Matters involving the use, possession, manufacture, and/or sale of hard drugs, including but not limited to cocaine, designer drugs, hallucinogens, opiates and sedatives, may likely result in suspension or expulsion from University-operated housing or the University, or both.

Minimum Sanctions for Alcohol Violations
1. Underage presence, possession and/or consumption of alcohol.
First Offense: Warning, eCHECKUP-Alcohol, BMI meeting, My Student Body, $25 CSF
Second Offense: Parental Notification, Probation, Alcohol Assessment, $100 CSF
Third Offense: Removal from Housing, Alcohol Assessment, $200 CSF

2. Possession of an open container of alcohol in public.
First Offense: Warning, eCHECKUP-Alcohol, BMI meeting, My Student Body, $25 CSF
Second Offense: Parental Notification, Probation, Alcohol Assessment, $100 CSF
Third Offense: Removal from Housing, Alcohol Assessment, $200 CSF

3. Hosting, organization of, or participation in a student group event where alcohol is being unlawfully consumed.
First Offense: Warning, eCHECKUP-Alcohol, BMI meeting, My Student Body, $25 CSF
Second Offense: Parental Notification, Probation, Alcohol Assessment, $100 CSF
Third Offense: Removal from Housing, Alcohol Assessment, $200 CSF

4. Dispensing alcohol to minors.
First Offense: eCHECKUP-Alcohol, My Student Body, BMI meeting, Probation, $100 CSF
Second Offense: Removal from Housing, $200 CSF

5. Intoxication (regardless of age).
First Offense: Warning, eCHECKUP-Alcohol, BMI meeting, My Student Body, $50 CSF
Second Offense: Parental Notification, Probation, Alcohol Assessment, $100 CSF
Third Offense: Removal from Housing, Alcohol Assessment, $200 CSF

Minimum Sanctions for Drug Violations
1. Marijuana Possession and Use.
First Offense: Parental Notification, $250 fine for violating the University smoking policy, $100 CSF, eCHECKUP-Marijuana, CAPS Drug Assessment, probation
Second Offense: Removal from Housing, $250 fine for violating smoking policy, $200 CSF

2. Presence of Marijuana Use.
First Offense: Parental Notification, eCHECKUP-Marijuana, $50 CSF, probation
Second Offense: Removal from Housing, CAPS Drug Assessment, $100 CSF

If the student is involved in co-curricular activities or intercollegiate athletics, appropriate University officials will be notified. A violation may result in the loss of the privilege of participating in co-curricular activities if the supervising official deems it appropriate.