The Purposes of Sanctions include, without limitation:
- To educate the Respondent about appropriate conduct;
- To promote the personal and professional development of the Respondent;
- To discourage the Respondent and other students from violating the Standards of Conduct;
- To protect other members of the University community.
The Sanctions imposed on a Respondent should be Proportional to the Respondent’s misconduct and appropriate for the particular case based on the gravity of the offense. Including, without limitation:
- How the violation affected or reasonably could have affected other members of the University community
- The Respondent’s conduct record;
- If the Respondent acted in self-defense, and, if so, whether the amount of force used was reasonable under the circumstances;
- The Respondent’s academic classification (e.g., undergraduate, graduate, freshman, sophomore, junior, senior);
- Other aggravating or mitigating factors.
Types of Sanctions
Listed below are the sanctions that SCCS recommends to students. To learn more about our educational sanctions, please visit our Educational Sanction page here. Please also refer to the Student Code of Conduct, linked here, for more information.
A warning is a written notice to a student that informs the student that the student has violated the Standards of Conduct, that the misconduct must cease and/or not reoccur, and that further misconduct will likely result in the imposition of more serious sanctions.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
Disciplinary probation is imposed for a specified period of time during which the student may continue to be enrolled but must demonstrate conduct that conforms to the Standards of Conduct. Subsequent violations of the Standards of Conduct during a period of disciplinary probation may result in more serious sanctions such as suspension or expulsion from the University. A student may be placed on disciplinary probation for moderate misconduct or in the case of repeated minor misconduct. Also, a student allowed to re-enroll following a suspension will be placed on disciplinary probation.
During probation, the student generally must attend probation meetings with SCCS staff as scheduled. During these meetings, staff will give education, provide guidance, and check in on statuses related to the violation. Failure to attend or communicate with SCCS staff could result in further disciplinary actions.
If a student ceases enrollment while on probation and later returns, the probation period would continue.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
A deferred suspension is a designated period of time during which a student, while continuing to be enrolled, is given an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to abide by the Standards of Conduct. A student may be placed on deferred suspension for serious misconduct or in the case of repeated misconduct. If the student is found responsible for any additional violation(s) of the Standards of Conduct while the student is on deferred suspension, then the sanction of suspension will be the minimum sanction that will be imposed in a Formal Hearing on the subsequent misconduct. Students who are placed on deferred suspension are also generally given educational sanctions.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
A suspension is an official separation of a student from the University for a specific period of time and/or until certain conditions are met. Suspension may include conditions that must be satisfied prior to a student being allowed to re-enroll and/or conditions that will be in place if the student is allowed to re-enroll. While suspended, the student loses all University rights and privileges (e.g., enrollment privileges), shall not represent the University in any official manner, and shall not be present on University-controlled property without the prior approval of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life. The student may be required to meet with an assigned Student Life staff member periodically while suspended to ensure the student is making satisfactory progress regarding the developmental sanctions issued. The Vice Chancellor for Student Life or their designee will determine whether the student is eligible for consideration for re-enrollment by the University’s admissions office(s). Various factors related to the student’s suspension will be considered by a committee chaired by the Vice Chancellor for Student Life or their designee and may include, but are not limited to, the following: the nature and seriousness of the incident; whether the incident was an isolated event or repeated behavior; the length of time passed since the incident; evidence of rehabilitation, completion of any University administered sanctions, or criminal penalties related to the incident. Students who are permitted to return to the University following a period of suspension will automatically be placed on disciplinary probation by SCCS for a designated period of time, which is designed to facilitate a smooth transition back to the University community. A student on post suspension disciplinary probation must abide by the Standards of Conduct and all terms and conditions placed on the student’s re-enrollment.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
Expulsion is a sanction that permanently bars a person from reenrolling as a student at the University. This sanction generally is imposed when the student’s misconduct is deemed so serious as to warrant total and permanent disassociation from the University community without the possibility of re-enrollment; and/or when, by the student’s repeated misconduct, a student has exhibited a blatant disregard for the health, safety, or welfare of other members of the University community or the University’s right to establish rules of conduct. A person who has been expelled shall not be present on University-controlled property without the prior approval of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
The University may withhold a degree as a disciplinary sanction for a specified period of time or until the student’s completion of all other sanctions imposed, whichever occurs later.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
The sanction of the revocation of a degree may be imposed if a student has obtained a degree at least in part through cheating, plagiarism, other academic dishonesty, or through research misconduct. Revocation of a degree shall be approved by the Chancellor before the revocation is effective. If approved by the Chancellor, this sanction will be noted on the student’s academic transcript on a permanent basis.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
A student organization given the sanction of disciplinary probation is permitted to retain University student organization registration on a probationary status. As a condition of the disciplinary probation, the student organization also may be given developmental sanctions.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
Social probation prohibits a student organization from sponsoring or participating in specified social activities. While on social probation, a student organization may not host social events or participate in University-affiliated activities. Any exceptions to social probation must be approved, in advance, by the Vice Chancellor for Student Life.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
A deferred suspension is a designated period of time during which a student organization, while continuing to be active, is given an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to abide by the Standards of Conduct. A student organization may be placed on deferred suspension for serious misconduct or in the case of repeated misconduct. If the student organization is found responsible for any additional violation(s) of the Standards of Conduct while the student organization is on deferred suspension, then the sanction of revocation or suspension of University registration will be the minimum sanction that will be imposed in a Formal Hearing on the subsequent misconduct. Student organizations who are placed on deferred suspension generally also receive disciplinary probation and developmental sanctions.
Please see of the Code of Conduct for more information.
In cases of serious or repeated misconduct, a student organization’s University registration may be suspended or revoked.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
Educational activities are designed to educate the student about why certain conduct was inappropriate. Examples of such activities include, without limitation, offering a formal apology (in writing and/or in person); attending an educational class, training, 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 prompt given by SCCS.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
Restitution is compensation for loss, damage, and/or injury incurred as a result of the student’s conduct. Compensation may take the form of money, service, and/or material replacement. Restitution may be required to be made to the University, a specific individual, or a specific organization. Normally, all restitution must be paid or made within two (2) weeks of the imposition of the sanction.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
A student may be assigned unpaid work or service that is both beneficial to the University community and/or likely to assist the student in understanding the effects of the student’s conduct.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
Loss or Restriction of Privileges Specified student privileges are lost or restricted. Such privileges include, without limitation, representing the University in any official manner, the use of or access to University-controlled property, University parking privileges, or participation in University-affiliated activities (e.g., extracurricular activities).
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.
University Housing Reassignment or Removal A student may be assigned to a different residence hall or residence hall room. A student’s residence hall contract also may be terminated, and the student may be prohibited from residing in University housing for a definite or indefinite period of time.
Please see the Code of Conduct for more information.