( See also
Housing and Residence Life Handbook for a detailed description.)
When a violation occurs within or adjacent to facilities of Housing and Residence Life or in the context of programs sponsored by that office, the following disciplinary procedures apply.
After reviewing an incident report and related documentation the Housing and Residence Life or HRL staff member (Residence Hall Director or RHD, Assistant Residence Hall Director or ARHD, or Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life) shall have two options: (1) to provide the option of a preliminary meeting with the accused student or (2) to send a case directly to a disciplinary hearing. 6.1.1 Preliminary Meeting - Student meets with the designated HRL staff member to discuss the documentation. The following options are available:
a. Student can plead “responsible” for the policy violation(s) and have the sanction determined at that time by the designated HRL staff member.
b. Student can plead “not responsible” for the policy violation(s) and request a hearing with the appropriate hearing body. For most situations, the appropriate hearing will be a Hall Director Hearing. In situations where cancellation of the student’s housing contract is a possibility or if the student documented is already on disciplinary probation, the student may be offered the choice of having an Administrative Hearing or a Conduct Board Hearing. (Note: When the Conduct Board is not operating, the student is automatically assigned to an Administrative Hearing.)
c. If the student does not attend the Preliminary Meeting, the designated HRL staff member will arrange a hearing.
6.1.2 Housing and Residence Life Disciplinary Hearings a. Hall director hearings are conducted by an RHD or ARHD. Usually this will be the RHD or ARHD of the building in which the accused student resides.
b. Administrative Hearings are conducted by an Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life.
c. Conduct Board Hearings are conducted by a board composed of a group of qualified students selected by each residence hall.
6.1.3 Sanctions a. Official Reprimand: A written warning that the continuation or repetition of unacceptable conduct may lead to further disciplinary action.
b. Educational Requirements: A student may be required to do interviews, a research project, a reflection paper, University or community service or other type of assignment to provide a learning experience related to the violation.
c. Fines: A fine may be assessed not to exceed $24 and will be billed to the student’s account. Failure to pay a fine will result in a financial hold.
d. Restitution: A student, whose actions cause damage to public or private property or injury to another person, may be required to provide monetary reimbursement for restoration of or replacement of property or for medical bills related to injuries.
e. Referral: The student may be referred to an appropriate University service office or to an outside agency to assist that student in achieving personal, social, or emotional growth.
f. Alcohol Education Program: A student in violation of published alcohol policies or who exhibits inappropriate behavior as a result of alcohol consumption may be required to complete an alcohol education program.
g. Disciplinary Probation: For a specified period of time during which the student must demonstrate a willingness and ability to conform to all University regulations. Any violation of University policy while on Disciplinary Probation may result in referral to the University Review Board with the possibility of suspension or expulsion from the University.
h. Trespass: A student may be prohibited from entering or being on the premises of specific residence hall buildings or all residence facilities.
i. Relocation: A student may be relocated to another residence hall and subsequently restricted from the facility of a previous housing assignment.
j. Termination of Housing Contract: A student may have his/her housing contract terminated and be required to vacate the residence hall system. The student will be given at least 48 hours to vacate the residence halls. Any additional violation occurring prior to vacating the residence halls will be referred to the Office of Student Rights and Community Standards. Students, who are under the age of 21, have not lived two semesters in the residence halls and are freshmen may be subject to additional disciplinary sanctions.
6.1.4 Appeal Process a. A student may appeal the result of a Hall Director Hearing decision to the appropriate Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life.
b. Decisions by a Conduct Board Hearing or Administrative Hearing may be appealed to the Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life.
c. A student has two business days from the delivery of the original decision to the student’s mailbox in which to submit an appeal in writing.
d. A student may appeal based on the following reasons:
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1) A substantial procedural error that unreasonably impaired the student or the hearing body.
2) An unduly harsh sanction against the accused student.
3) New information of a substantive nature not available at the original hearing.
4) Information of substantial bias on the part of the disciplinary body hearing the case. |
e. An appeal may be resolved in one of the following ways:
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1) The original decision may be upheld.
2) Modified sanctions, either greater or lesser, may be imposed.
3) The case may be remanded back for a new hearing.
4) All allegations may be dismissed. |
f. The appellate decision shall be final and will not be subject to any further appeal.
6.1.5 Automatic Review
The Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life will automatically review any case resulting in termination of the housing contract. 6.1.6 Referrals to the Office of Student Rights and Community Standards Any case may be referred to the Office of Student Rights and Community Standards for adjudication or for consideration of additional sanctions when:
a. Violations are of a more serious nature and may warrant consideration of suspension or expulsion from the University.
b. Violations involve off-campus students.