Students

Sanctions

Learning action plans, sanctions, and conditions

Learning action plans, sanctions, and conditions are designed to be educational in nature so that students can learn from their experiences.  They are tailored to the individual student and are determined after consideration of several factors, including, but not limited to: a student’s prior conduct history, the nature and severity of the incident, the student’s willingness to accept responsibility for their actions, the need to bring an end to the violation, and College precedent for the violation.

When a case involves a student-athlete, the conduct educator will collaborate with the Athletic Director or designee to determine the appropriate learning action plan or sanction(s) pertaining to athletics.

A student will not have a conduct record if they are found responsible during an educational conference or accept responsibility within the Responsible Action Protocol, but this is only upon successful completion of a learning action plan or a condition(s).  The conduct educator or his/her designee will have the sole discretion to determine if a learning action plan or condition has been successfully completed.  Due to the formal nature of a hearing, sanctions will be recorded within a student’s educational record.

Potential learning action plans, sanctions, or conditions are listed below.  All sanctions are applicable to individuals, student organizations, academic groups, and athletic teams.  It is important to note that more than one learning action plan, sanction, or condition may be assigned for any single violation.

1. Alcohol Education Group – This education may consist of an online course or educational session(s) with the Wellness Center.  This education is designed to assist students in making healthy lifestyle choices.  There is a fee associated with this sanction.
2. Anger Management Training – This training consists of educational sessions with the Wellness Center to address appropriate ways to express feelings of anger or frustration.  There is a fee associated with this sanction.  This may also consist of a written Anger Management Training Workbook that must be completed and submitted to the Office of Community Standards & Responsibility by the due date.  Upon submission, a follow-up meeting with a member of the Office of Community Standards & Responsibility may be scheduled to individually discuss this training. 
3. ASSIST -  Completion of ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test). ASSIST is a two session, non-punitive, individual program offered through the Wellness Center. The counselor administering the program may determine that an additional session is necessary to address any further information or concerns. There is a fee associated with this sanction.
4. Athletic Sanctions – These sanctions apply only to student-athletes in their practice, play, and competition.
   
   1. Athletic Warning – A notice in writing to the student that he or she is violating or has violated College policy and that continuation or repetition of similar misconduct may be cause for further disciplinary action and more severe sanctions as it pertains to athletic participation.
   2. Athletic Probation – A notice to the student that he or she has restricted use of athletic services or facilities for a prescribed period of time.
   3. Athletic Suspension – Suspension from competition and/or practice for a prescribed period of time, relative to the violation and/or number of violations.
   4. Athletic Dismissal – Dismissal from the team.  The Athletic Department may recommend to the Office of Financial Aid that the grant-in-aid not be renewed for any succeeding academic years.
5. BASICS – Completion of BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students). BASICS is a two session, non-punitive, individual program offered through the Wellness Center.  The counselor administering the program may determine that an additional session is necessary to address any further information or concerns.  There is a fee associated with this sanction.
6. Bystander Intervention Training – A training conducted by College facilitators that is designed to educate and empower students to speak up or assert influence in a difficult or dangerous situation.
7. CASICS – Completion of CASICS (Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students).  CASICS is a two session, non-punitive, individual program offered through the Wellness Center.  The counselor administering the program may determine that an additional session is necessary to address any further information or concerns.  There is a fee associated with this sanction.
8. Computer Privileges Restriction – Loss or restriction from College computer mainframe access or privileges for a stated period of time.
9. Course Transfer or Removal – Removal or withdrawal from academic courses without academic credit or tuition refund.  This may include being transferred to another class(es) or section(s), or being placed in an independent study if available.  Otherwise, the student forfeits the class without academic credit or tuition refund.
10. Deferred Sanction – When significant mitigating factors are present, one or more sanctions may be deferred (delayed) for implementation.  Additional sanctions may be imposed for any new violations, which occur during the deferred period.
11. Disciplinary Warning – Disciplinary Warning is for a designated period and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions, which may include community probation or suspension from the institution if the student is found violating the specified policy during the warning period.
12. Diversity and Inclusion Training – This training, presented by the Center for Inclusion & Campus Involvement (CICI), includes information about values congruence, identity development, and addressing issues of perception within the greater community.
13. Educational Bulletin Board/Flyer – Design, research, and create a bulletin board or educational flyer on a specific topic assigned by Community Standards & Responsibility.
14. Educational Research/Reflection – The assignment of one or more relevant texts or books with an associated writing component.  This may include a research paper, a reflection paper, and/or an essay.  The topic, length, and source determinations will be made at the discretion of the conduct educator.  Specific guidelines will be outlined in the sanction letter.
15. Educational Service – Completion of a determined number of hours of educational community service.  The conduct educator reserves the right to assign this service to the appropriate office or community partner.  Specific guidelines and hours will be outlined in the sanction letter.
16. Empathy and Compassion Building Group – This group is conducted by the Wellness Center, and is intended to give students the tools to identify and understand another person’s situation, feelings, and motives.  The frequency and duration of this group is at the discretion of the counselor(s) involved.  There is a fee associated with this sanction.
17. Ethics Training – A written Ethics Training assignment must be completed and submitted to the Office of Community Standards & Responsibility by the sanction due date.  If necessary, a meeting with a member of the Office of Community Standards & Responsibility may be scheduled to individually discuss this training.
18. Group Participation – Required attendance at a weekly group offered by the Wellness Center that is designed to help students reduce/moderate their drinking and/or drug use.  There is a pre-group, individual session that is used as an intake and overview of group expectations.  There is a fee associated with this sanction.
19. Know the Code Worksheet – This worksheet is intended to teach students more about the Code of Community Standards and to reflect on any policy violation(s) that he/she may be responsible for.  Students are required to complete this worksheet on their own – those who are found to plagiarizing another student’s Know the Code will be charged with Falsification and are subject to additional learning action plans or sanctions.
20. Letter of Apology – A written apology reflecting an understanding of the inappropriateness of the student’s actions and the impact it had on the letter’s recipient.
21. No Contact Order – The Dean of Students’ Office or the Title IX Office may determine that a No Contact Order is necessary to ensure that students’ contact and communication is restricted to prevent further potentially harmful interaction.  Information about the No Contact Order will be issued by the Dean of Students, the Title IX Coordinator, or a designee.
22. Online Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Courses – The student is required to complete a series of online courses pertaining to sexual misconduct and harassment education.  Login information and instructions will be emailed to the student.
23. Parental Notification – Written notification to parent/guardian concerning a specific incident, outcome, and appropriate sanction.  Notification will be in accordance with FERPA regulations.
24. Party Plan – The student is required to develop a written plan identifying how he/she will manage any future parties at his/her residence to ensure compliance with all state and local laws.  This plan should include such topics as (but not limited to): advertisement, handling unwanted guests, confirming identification, ensuring that underage students are not consuming alcohol, and a safety plan if assistance is necessary.  Additional guidelines will be outlined in the sanction letter.
25. Privilege Restrictions – Loss of specific privileges at the discretion and determination of the conduct educator.  Such restrictions may include, but are not limited to: Probationary Review Meetings – This sanction is a typically a component of being on Community Probation, but the conduct educator may deem it appropriate in other circumstances.  The Office of Community Standards & Responsibility will connect the student with the appropriate college staff or faculty who can provide insight or education around the impact of the student’s violation(s) and appropriate ways to respond to similar situations in the future.  The frequency and duration of these meetings is at the discretion of the conduct educator.  Specific guidelines will be outlined in the sanction letter.
    1. Prohibited attendance at athletic, social, or organizational events, including social functions, group meetings, and student organization or club events.  This includes fraternities and sororities.
    2. The ability to be a member of an organization.
    3. Housing for a designated period.
    4. Prohibited from hosting visitors.
    5. Prohibited from participating in a College ceremony or event, including, but not limited to, commencement/graduation, fraternity or sorority recruitment, Greek Week, fraternity or sorority formals, or other College-sponsored events or activities.
26. Program Presentation – Plan, implement, and present an educational program on a specific topic.
27. Recommended Mediation – A recommended sanction to assist a student with interpersonal skills.  Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party works with disputants to attempt to achieve a lasting and mutually satisfying outcome to the dispute.  Since successful mediation requires participation by consenting parties, this sanction can only be recommended, although this recommendation will remain a part of the student’s disciplinary record.  The Office of Community Standards & Responsibility will recommend an appropriate party to lead this mediation.
28. Reflection Paper – Reflective paper on a specific incident and its impact on the community.  Specific guidelines will be outlined in the sanction letter.
29. Research Paper – Research paper on a specific topic citing at least three sources.  Specific guidelines will be outlined in the sanction letter.
30. Residence Hall Dismissal – Immediate and permanent removal from the residence halls without refund. 
31. Residence Hall Probation – Residence Hall Probation is for a designated period and includes the probability of dismissal from campus housing and/or removal of privileges to live in campus housing if the student is found violating any policy during the probationary period.
32. Residence Hall Suspension- Immediate and permanent removal from the residence halls without refund for a determined number of semesters.
33. Residence Hall Suspension (Deferred) – A period of observation and review for a defined period of time.  If the student fails to complete any previously imposed sanctions or is found violating any College policy during the deferred suspension period, restriction from College-operated housing and housing grounds may be immediately imposed.  Any student on deferred residence hall suspension may not be allowed to participate in the housing room selection process and therefore not be eligible for future college housing.
34. Restitution – Compensation for loss, damage, or injury.  This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.
35. Room Reassignment – Removal from the student’s current room and relocation to another available space.  This sanction applies regardless of a student’s fraternity, sorority, or club affiliation.
36. Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Education – This sanction has three components: online education courses, an interview with the Title IX Coordinator or a designee, and a reflection paper.  Specific guidelines will be outlined in the sanction letter.
37. Sexual Misconduct Risk Assessment and Treatment – This is an evaluation to assess a student’s level of risk for sexual and non-sexual recidivism.  This is done at the student’s expense.  The student is required to make an appointment with a certified treatment professional, which is someone with specialized training and experience in conducting psychosexual evaluations.  Students are required to meet the recommendations of the certified treatment professional as indicated in this evaluation.  Results must be released to appropriate College officials, as per the sanction letter.
38. Substance Abuse Assessment and Treatment – This is an evaluation to assess a student’s drug and/or alcohol use and is typically sanctioned in conjunction with additional treatment by an off-campus approved provider.  This is done at the student’s expense.  The student is required to make an appointment with a certified treatment professional, which is someone who has a background in dealing with drug and/or alcohol use in college-aged populations.  Students are required to meet the recommendations of the certified treatment professional as indicated in this evaluation.  Results must be released to appropriate College officials, as per the sanction letter.
39. Substance Use Evaluation – This is an evaluation to assess a student’s drug and/or alcohol use.  This is done at the student’s expense.  The student is required to make an appointment with a certified treatment professional, which is someone who has a background in dealing with drug and/or alcohol use in college-aged populations.  Community Standards & Responsibility has a recommended provider who works closely with our office, but students may seek another treatment provider as long as that provider has been approved by our office.  Students are required to meet the recommendations of the certified treatment professionals as indicated in this evaluation.  Results must be released to appropriate College officials, as per sanction letter.
40. Title IX Coordinator Interview – This is a meeting between the student and the Title IX Coordinator or designee and is designed to educate the student on the sexual misconduct and harassment policy and discuss the impact that sexual misconduct and harassment has on the College community.
41. Wellness Series – This is a form of group intervention or prevention treatment that is offered through the Wellness Center.  The Wellness Series is individualized based on group needs, it is malleable, and can be completed over a semester, an academic year, or a series of years.  Students are required to comply with the recommendations made by the facilitators of the Wellness Series.  More information about this sanction can be found in your decision letter.
42. Wellness Sessions – The student is required to attend sessions with a mental health counselor at the Wellness Center or an off-campus licensed facility by a specific date.  The frequency and duration of these sessions is at the counselor’s discretion.  Additional guidelines will be outlined in the sanction letter.  The student is required to follow all recommendations made by the provider as a result of the assessment.  Any off-campus mental health assessments, treatment, and/or diversion programs will be at the student’s own expense.  Students are required to sign a release form granting the conduct educator permission to receive treatment recommendations or other information as outlined in the sanction letter.

When misconduct is more serious and a student has been found responsible through the hearing or investigation process, more severe sanctions, such as the following, may be issued:

1. Deferred Suspension – Deferred Suspension is a time of observation and review for a designated period.  If the student fails to complete any previously imposed sanctions, adhere to previously imposed conditions, or violates any policy during the deferred suspension period, the student may (at minimum) be automatically suspended for one semester.
2. Community Probation – Community Probation is for a designated period and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions, which may include suspension or dismissal from the College if the student is found violating any policy during the probationary period.  Students must be in compliance with any additional requirements set by Community Standards & Responsibility during the probationary period.
3. Suspension – Separation of the student from the College for a definite period, after which the student is eligible to return.  Conditions for readmission may be specified.  Students who are suspended from the College once classes have started will be automatically withdrawn from all of their courses and will receive a grade of “W” or “WF” (based on the date that the sanction was issued) and will not receive a tuition refund, unless the sanction is deferred to the following semester.  Suspension is noted on the transcript.  A suspension will only be lifted when the student is in compliance with all required sanctions that must be completed prior to return.  This determination will be made by the Director of Community Standards or a designee.
4. Retroactive Suspension – The student will rescind or forfeit previously earned semester credits.
5. Withhold Diploma – The College may withhold and refuse to confer a student’s diploma for a specified period of time and/or deny a student participation in commencement activities if the student has a grievance pending, or as a sanction, if the student is found responsible for violating College policy.
6. Dismissal – Permanent separation of the student from the College.  Students who are socially dismissed from the College once classes have started will be automatically withdrawn from all of their courses and will receive a grade of “W” or “WF” (based on the date that the sanction was issued), and will not receive a tuition refund, unless the sanction is deferred to the following semester.  Dismissal is noted on the transcript. 
7. Revocation of Degree – The College reserves the right to revoke a degree for fraud, misrepresentation, or any other violation of College policies, procedures, or directives in obtaining the degree, or for other serious violations committed by a student prior to graduation, even if the misconduct was reported or investigated after the degree was conferred.

Failure to Complete Learning Action Plans, Sanctions, or Conditions

All students and organizations/teams, as responsible members of the College community, are expected to complete learning action plans, sanctions, or conditions within the specified timeframe given by the Office of Community Standards & Responsibility.  Failure to successfully complete said sanction(s) by the date specified, whether by refusal, neglect, or any other reason, may result in the following:

• Additional sanction(s) may be assigned
• A hold may be placed on the student’s account and educational records
• The student may be charged with violating the Requests or Orders policy
• The student may be suspended from the College.  In these situations, residential students will be required to vacate College housing within a specified timeframe at the discretion of the Dean of Students or a designee.

In the case of a student organization, failure to comply may impact the organization’s status at the College.