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Student Conduct Process

Basis for Findings & Sanctions

Community Standards

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Basis for Findings & Sanctions Basis for Findings & Sanctions

Basis for Findings

All determinations of “responsible” or “not responsible” within the Student Conduct Process are based upon a preponderance of the evidence standard (“more likely than not”). In Conduct Board Hearings, a simple majority vote is required to make a decision of responsible or not responsible. 

Sanctions

Sanctions serve an important role in shaping a safe and positive community, while also holding a student accountable for their violations. Through the sanctions process, a sanctioning body (i.e. a Hearing Officer, Conduct Board, Resolution Panel, Assistant Dean for Campus Life or designee, or Sexual Misconduct Sanctions Panel) identifies and implements measures intended to stop, redress, and prevent future violations of the College’s Community Standards. Sanctions are designed to restore safe and positive environments, deter repeat violations, assist those impacted by the misconduct, reaffirm community expectations, and provide educational and reflective opportunities for students. A description of many of the College’s sanctions can be found in the Sanction Definitions.

The list of sanctions listed in the Sanction Definitions is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but provide a guide of the sanctions that a sanctioning body may assign any student or student organization that has been found responsible for a violation(s) of the College’s Community Standards. Sanctions can be combined based on the nature and gravity of the violations for which a student is found responsible. Sanctions assigned by the College are additive and cumulative, thus, future violations of the College’s Community Standards can result in more significant sanctions. The sanctioning body will review and take into account a student’s disciplinary history when identifying sanctions. 

When a sanction is assigned a student, it is the responsibility of the student to comply with the sanction(s) and/or complete the sanction(s) by the date assigned. Students that fail to abide by the sanction(s) and/or complete the sanction(s) as assigned are subject to additional disciplinary action that will include, but is not limited to, a hold on one’s College account and/or monetary fees.

Sanctions Examples

See below for a list of sanctions

Index

Formal Warning

A written warning indicating that the student has been found responsible for violating a College community standard and any additional behavior in violation of the College's Community Standards will likely result in additional disciplinary action. Students do remain in good conduct standing when issued a formal warning.  This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Bring Your Own Conversation (BYOC)

An interactive, peer facilitated course designed to assist students in understanding the risks associated with alcohol consumption and the impact this substance can have on their college experience. More information can be found at emerson.edu/Education Classes. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Let’s Be Blunt

An interactive, peer facilitated course designed to assist students in understanding the risks associated with marijuana consumption and the impact this substance can have on their college experience. More information can be found at emerson.edu/Education Classes. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Substance Use Assessment

A meeting with a licensed mental health counselor or substance use educator that provides a student a safe, confidential space to explore their alcohol and/or other drug use and its potential impacts.  This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Reflection Paper

A paper providing a student with the opportunity to share their thoughts or address questions posed by the sanctioning body. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Academic Misconduct Notice

A written notice indicating that the student has been found in violation of College policy associated with academic misconduct. A student issued an Academic Misconduct Notice is subject to suspension or dismissal from the College if found in violation for a subsequent act of academic misconduct. Students do remain in good conduct standing when issued an Academic Misconduct Notice. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Housing Probation

A designated period of time in which: (1) students are ineligible to arrive early or stay late in campus housing and/or use campus vacation housing; (2) a residential student’s privilege to host guests in their residence hall is suspended; (3) a non-residential student’s privilege to visit the residence halls is prohibited; (4) a residential student will likely be suspended or dismissed from College housing should they be found in violation of a College’s Community Standards during the Housing Probation period. During this period, a student is considered in good conduct standing with the College. The sanctioning body will determine the length of the Housing Probation and has the discretion to assign additional conditions and/or restrictions to the Housing Probation status. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary Probation is a designated period of time when a student is considered not in good conduct standing with the College. While on Disciplinary Probation: (1) students are ineligible to serve in certain campus employment/leadership positions including, but not limited to, Resident Assistant and Orientation Leader positions; (2) students are ineligible to participate in student organization–sponsored overnight trips or overnight activities; (3) students are ineligible to arrive early or stay late in campus housing and/or use campus vacation housing.  Failure to comply with these conditions or additional violations of the College’s Community Standards during the probationary period will likely result in more serious disciplinary action including, but not limited to, suspension/dismissal from College housing, and/or suspension/dismissal from the College. The sanctioning body will determine the length of the probation and determine if there are additional conditions and/or restrictions attached to the probationary status. Additional conditions and restrictions of this probation that may be assigned include, but are not limited to, ineligibility to participate in College and student programs, activities, athletics, or events; and/or hold student employment or leadership positions; and/or referral to applicable support services within or outside the College. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Suspension From College Housing

Requires moving out of College housing for a specified amount of time.  As a condition of this suspension, students are not eligible to attend an External Program and students are typically prohibited from visiting any residence hall (non-residential portions of a residence hall are not typically included in this prohibition) during the suspension period. Students will be eligible to reapply for College housing at the conclusion of the suspension period and upon completion of any conditions for return prescribed by the sanctioning body. A Suspension from College Housing is applicable to any campus-owned or -leased residences wherever located, including at all external programs. Those who fail to comply with any Suspension from College Housing conditions are considered trespassers and are subject to additional disciplinary action and/or arrest.  This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Dismissal From College Housing

Dismissal requires permanent removal from College housing and the student may not reapply for residency. As a condition of the dismissal, students are not eligible to attend an External Program and students are typically prohibited from visiting any residence hall (non-residential portions of a residence hall are not typically included in this prohibition). A Dismissal from College Housing is applicable to any campus-owned or -leased residences wherever located, including at all external programs. Failure to comply with any Dismissal from College Housing conditions are considered trespassers and are subject to additional disciplinary action and/or arrest. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Restriction Of External Program Privileges

Indicates that a student is no longer eligible to participate in any External Program for a defined period of time.  As a condition of the Restriction of External Program Privileges, students are not permitted visit any external program location without written authorization from the Office of Community Standards. Students will be eligible to reapply for reinstatement of External Program privileges upon conclusion of the restriction period and upon completion of any conditions for reinstatement prescribed by the sanctioning body. Those who fail to comply with this sanction can result in additional disciplinary action which can include permanent loss of a student’s External Program privileges. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Permanent Loss Of External Program Privileges

Indicates that a student is no longer eligible to participate in any External Program for the duration of your time at Emerson College. As a condition of Permanent Loss of External Program Privileges a student is not permitted to visit any External Program location without written authorization from the Office of Community Standards. Failure to comply with the conditions of this sanction are subject to additional disciplinary action and/or arrest. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Suspension From The College

Defined period of time that a student cannot attend Emerson College or be present on Emerson College–owned or –leased property or at an Emerson-sponsored event. Students will be eligible to reapply to the College at the conclusion of the suspension period and upon completion of any conditions for return prescribed by the sanctioning body. Failure to comply with the suspension conditions are considered trespassers and are subject to additional disciplinary action and/or arrest. During the suspension period, a student is not considered in good conduct standing with the College. This sanction will be notated on a student’s transcript.

Dismissal From The College

Requires that the student completely sever any connection with Emerson College. The student is not considered in good conduct standing, may not reapply for admission, and may not be present on Emerson College–owned or –leased property or at an Emerson-sponsored event. Failure to comply with the dismissal conditions are considered trespassers and are subject to arrest. This sanction will be notated on a student’s transcript.

Other Appropriate Alternatives

These may include, but are not limited to, assignment of educational projects, referral to other offices or agencies for guidance, counseling, letters of apology, specialized education, fines, restriction of College privileges, and restriction from College facilities or programs. These sanctions will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

  1. Room, Board, and Tuition Refunds: Students required to leave the residence halls and/or the campus as a result of disciplinary action will not be eligible for a refund of tuition, housing, board, or other charges regardless of date of removal.
  2. Delay in Awarding Degrees: The College reserves the right to delay the awarding of any degree in instances in which a complaint remains pending against a student.
  3. Withholding Awarding Degrees: The College reserves the right to withhold the awarding of any degree for academic and non-academic misconduct.
  4. Common Sanctions: There are common sanctions that correspond with certain violations of the Code of Community Standards. Common sanctions for violations of the Academic Misconduct Policy are detailed in Academic Misconduct Policy and common sanctions for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy are detailed in the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy.  

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