Sanctioning Philosophy & Sanctions
Sanctioning Philosophy
Students who accept responsibility or are found responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct are generally assigned an administrative sanction and one or more developmental sanctions. Sanctions are designed to educate, foster development, encourage thoughtful decision making, and protect the University community. In determining appropriate sanctions, the University considers the nature of the violation including the impact on the community and its members, the institutional sanctioning guidelines, the student’s prior disciplinary history, and the individual student’s needs. This method of determining appropriate sanctions balances consistency with the Ignatian ideal of cura personalis, care of the whole person as a unique individual.
Failure to comply with assigned sanctions is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will be adjudicated accordingly.
When a student organization is found responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct, the minimum sanction is Deferred Suspension. If Deferred Suspension is issued, additional educational sanctions and/or other expectations will be defined and approved by the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee).
Sanctions
Administrative Sanctions
Disciplinary Warning: Students may receive a Disciplinary Warning for minor violations of Residence Life policies. A warning indicates that the offending behavior must cease and further misconduct will likely result in the imposition of more serious sanctions.
Disciplinary Censure: Students may receive a written Disciplinary Censure, which is a formal reprimand for minor violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Further misconduct will result in the imposition of more serious sanctions.
Disciplinary Probation: Students may be placed on Disciplinary Probation for a stated period of time for moderate misconduct or in the case of repeated minor misconduct. A student who is on Disciplinary Probation is not in good disciplinary standing with the University for the time that he or she is on probation. Subsequent violations of the Student Code of Conduct during the period of probation may result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
Deferred Suspension: Students may be placed on Deferred Suspension for a stated period of time for serious misconduct or in the case of repeated misconduct. A student who is on Deferred Suspension is not in good disciplinary standing with the University, and his or her tenure at the University is precarious. During the period of Deferred Suspension, the student must abide by all terms and conditions of University policies regarding student behavior and comply with any sanctions and provisions issued as a direct result of the student’s misconduct. Students who are placed on Deferred Suspension are generally issued provisions that may include restrictions or requirements such as counseling, the denial of the opportunity to participate in intercollegiate athletics or club sports, the denial of the opportunity to perform in the name of the University, the denial of the privilege of serving as an officer of a student organization or the denial of the privilege to reside in University housing. Any misconduct or non-compliance with sanctions and provisions on the student’s part during the time of the Deferred Suspension will be reviewed and sanctioned solely by the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee), who will strongly consider suspension or expulsion as the sanction for the misconduct. Students who are on Deferred Suspension will be afforded the opportunity to meet with the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee) prior to the rendering of a final decision. Students who are on Deferred Suspension do not have the right to a formal hearing.
Suspension: Suspension is imposed for serious misconduct or for a violation of Deferred Suspension when it is believed that the student should be temporarily removed from the University community. A student who is suspended from the University is not in good disciplinary standing with the University for the time that he or she is suspended. Suspension may entail the imposition of conditions that the student must meet in order to resume studies at the University. Suspension also may include conditions that will be in place once the student resumes University studies. While suspended, the student loses all University rights and privileges, may not represent the University in any manner and may not visit the campus without prior approval of the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee). Suspension may be for the remainder of a semester or for no more than four semesters. No more than three (3) credits of course work (if approved by the student’s academic dean and the Registrar) taken at another institution during a period of suspension may be transferred to the University. The student must meet with the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee) following the term of suspension. The Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee) will determine whether the student may resume studies after considering whether all conditions of the suspension have been met. Any misconduct on the student's part during the period of suspension will be reviewed by the Vice President for Student Life (or designee) before the student is allowed to resume studies. The Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee) will strongly consider expulsion as a sanction for misconduct that occurs during a period of suspension. Suspension is permanently recorded in the Office of Student Conduct.
Post-Suspension Probation: Students who are permitted to return to the University following a period of Suspension will automatically be placed on Post-Suspension Probation by the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee) for a designated period of time. This probationary period, which is exclusively utilized for students who are returning to the University following a period of suspension, is designed to ensure a smooth transition back into the University community. A student who is on Post-Suspension Probation must abide by all terms and conditions placed on his or her return as well as all University policies. Any misconduct or non-compliance on a student’s part during his or her Post-Suspension Probation will be reviewed and sanctioned by the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee), who will strongly consider additional suspension or expulsion as the sanction for the misconduct. Students who are alleged to have engaged in misconduct during their Post-Suspension Probation will be afforded the opportunity to meet with the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee) prior to the rendering of a final decision. Students who are on Post-Suspension Probation do not have the right to a formal hearing relative to alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct that occur during their probationary period.
Expulsion: Expulsion is imposed for very serious misconduct, repetitive behavior, or for misconduct by a student who has previously been suspended when it is believed that a student should be permanently removed from the University community. An expelled student is not in good disciplinary standing with the University and is not eligible for readmission. Expulsion is permanently recorded in the Office of Student Conduct.
Withholding of Degree: The University may withhold awarding a degree as a disciplinary sanction if the accused student is found responsible and is of senior class status. The degree may be withheld until the completion of the disciplinary process, including completion of all sanctions imposed. A student of senior class status who is subject to a pending disciplinary proceeding is not eligible to receive a degree or participate in senior week activities, Baccalaureate Mass, and Commencement until the disciplinary process is completed. Depending on the nature of the charge(s), the student may be allowed to remain on campus to complete academic requirements for degree status at the discretion of the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (or designee). However, the student’s degree will be conferred privately after the completion of the disciplinary process, including completion of all sanctions imposed.
Developmental Sanctions
In addition to an administrative sanction, one or more of the following developmental sanctions may be imposed in an effort to foster student learning and development. Failure to comply with a sanction is considered a violation of the University's Student Code of Conduct and will be adjudicated as such.
Educational Activity/Activities: Students may be required to perform activities that are designed to be educational. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to, offering a formal apology (in writing and/or in person), attending an educational class or workshop, giving or attending a presentation, preparing and submitting a research project or paper on a designated topic, or offering a written reflection responding to a given prompt.
Mandatory Counseling/Advising/Therapeutic Education: Students may be required to participate in counseling and/or advising sessions. Such sessions may include evaluative measures for substance abuse or emotional well-being.
Fines: Fines payable to the University may be imposed when appropriate to teach students how their decisions can have financial implications.
Restitution: Restitution may be required for damages done or other payment for expenses incurred as a result of a student's actions. Restitution may be required to the University, a specific department or a specific individual. Normally, all restitution will be paid within two weeks of the hearing date. Students who have been suspended will not be readmitted until restitution is made. No transcripts will be released from the University until restitution is made.
Supervised Work/Service: Students may be assigned work or service performed under supervision that is both beneficial to the University community and likely to assist the student in understanding the effects of his or her offending behavior.
No Contact: A student may be required to have no contact with another person for a specific time period or permanently.
Restriction: A student's or student organization's privileges may be restricted for a period of time. Such restrictions include, but are not limited to, denial of the right to represent the University in any way, denial of the use of or access to facilities, denial of parking privileges, denial of participation in extracurricular activities, denial of participation in intercollegiate athletics or club sports, or denial of participation in University-sponsored events.
University Housing Transfer or Removal: Students may be directed to transfer to another room or housing unit, or may be removed from University housing altogether.
Required University Housing: Students may be required to reside in University housing for a specified period of time. This sanction may not be applied without the approval of the Director of Residence Life.
Loss of Recognition: The University may withdraw recognition of a student organization, which includes denying it access to University resources for a period of time or permanently.