Hearing Procedures
The grievance proceedings are not adversarial, nor are they intended to duplicate the formal proceedings of a legal court of law. Students are subject to the directives of those administrators responsible for the particular departments.
Incident Report Validity
Upon notification of an incident, the Assistant Dean of Students for Residential Communities & Community Standards will initiate an investigation. Following an investigation and upon determination by the Assistant Dean of Students for Residential Communities & Community Standards that a violation has occurred, the student will be charged. The accused student will be notified of charges.
Administrative Disciplinary Action
The President, Chief Academic Officer, Dean of Students, Senior Vice President for Planning and Administration, or an assigned representative thereof, has the authority and “sole discretion” to carry out immediate disciplinary or administrative action on behalf of the College. In some cases, prompt and decisive action may be required before there is an opportunity to conduct a hearing, as in cases in which a student’s continued presence on campus constitutes an immediate threat to the well-being or property of members of the College community, or to the orderly functioning of the College.
If an individual is unable to function within the college community, demonstrates behavior that is deemed to be physically or emotionally harmful to others or oneself, violates standards of conduct, interferes with the academic progress of other students, and/or is otherwise disruptive to the college community, the College reserves the right to respond accordingly, which may include, but is not limited to any of the following: counseling or psychiatric referral off-campus, disciplinary action, and suspension or separation from the College.
Discipline Penalties
The following provides a general history of administrative sanctions:
CATEGORY A*
- Reprimand/Disciplinary Warning: A written notice that a continuation or repetition of prohibited conduct, within a specified period of time, will be grounds for more serious disciplinary action. Disciplinary warning, if given, extends through graduation.
- Conduct/Disciplinary Probation: Action permitting a student to remain at the College on probationary status. During the period of probation, if the student is found guilty of a further violation of a College regulation, the student may be subject to suspension, separation or expulsion from the College.
- Suspension: Exclusion of a student from the College for a definite period of time, not to exceed one calendar year, as set forth in the written notice of suspension subject to other College regulations. Suspension or expulsion may occur mid-semester with no reimbursement of fees, residence life, or College charges to date.
- Separation: Termination of a student’s status with the College for a definite period of time, exceeding one calendar year. Upon expiration of the designated period of separation, the student seeking to re-enter the College shall be required to reapply.
- Expulsion: Permanent separation of a student from the College.
CATEGORY B* In addition or in place of the penalties listed in Category A, the following penalties may be employed:
- Community Service: An assignment to perform a task or service for the College or a College-sponsored organization.
- Restitution: Reimbursement for damage to, or destruction or misappropriation of property.
- Revocation of Privilege: Loss of the privilege of living in College residence halls, using College dining facilities, and/or having an automobile on campus. Loss of general status or recognition.
- Special sanction appropriate to the violation (i.e. require course, counseling, service project, etc.)
CATEGORY C*
- All other penalties as authorized by the Dean of Students or the Assistant Dean of Students for Residential Communities & Community Standards.
*These penalties are subject to change or alteration as directed by the Dean of Students or the Assistant Dean of Students for Residential Communities & Community Standards.
