If students are found in violation of the Code of Conduct, they are assigned one or more sanctions by the hearing officer or SCRB. Sanctions may be punitive in nature, but whenever possible, they are intended to create an educational outcome. Depending on the violation, they may range from a warning to, for the most serious violations, permanent expulsion from the University. Common sanctions include research papers, papers in which students are asked to reflect on the incident and on their conduct, online alcohol or drug education courses, community restitution, letters of apology, follow-up meetings with administrators, and disciplinary probation. Given the individual nature of each incident, there is no set list of mandatory sanctions attached to specific violations
The following sanctions may be issued by the hearing officer or board to students who have been found in violation of University policies and regulations. The sanction(s) will be communicated via email and a copy retained in the student’s educational file in the Office of Student Conduct and Responsibility. Sanctions may be assigned cumulatively depending on a student’s prior record.
a. Restitution* — The student is required to provide monetary reimbursement for repair/replacement of University property. Restitution, however, generally is not considered sufficient penalty for willful damage or destruction of property.
b. Fine* — The student is required to pay a financial penalty for his/her violation
*Restitution and fines are payable in cash or check payable to “University of Mary Washington” and delivered to the Student Accounts Office, Lee Hall.
c. Warning —The student receives a warning for violation of University policies and regulations.
d. Community restitution — A task that benefits the individual, campus, or community (such as a service-related activity) is assigned to the student.
e. Educational project or paper — The student is required to write an essay or a paper on a given topic, or to complete a project of benefit to his or her community, such as creating educational flyers or bulletin boards, or organizing an educational program.
f. Alcohol or Drug education — The student is required to complete an alcohol or drug education course, such as the online “Under the Influence” course. The student may be required to pay a user’s fee.
g. Assessment — The student is required to complete a behavioral assessment, and to discuss it with an appropriate University official.
h. Restrictions
(1) Loss of visitation: The student loses his/her visitation rights for a specific period of time. For example, a student under this sanction may not sign-in to another hall or have a visitor sign-in to visit him/her.
(2) Social probation: The student loses his/her social rights on campus for a specific period of time. No student under this sanction may enter the Underground, Eagles Nest, or any campus-sponsored social activity, concert, theatrical production, etc.
(3) “No contact” order: The student is directed to have no physical, verbal, or written contact with another individual. “No contact” requirements may be placed at the discretion of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Student Life, Director of Student Conduct and Responsibility, hearing officer, or hearing board.
i. Disciplinary probation — During a specified period, if a student is found responsible for additional violations of any sort, or certain violations as specified, then the student may be suspended or expelled from on-campus housing or from the University, following review by the Dean of Student Life or designee.
j. Relocation within residence halls — The student must move to a different room or building (as specified), subject to the availability of appropriate alternate vacancies.
k. Suspension from the residence halls — The student loses the privilege of living in a University residence hall for a specified length of time. At the end of this time, after receiving approval from the Dean of Student Life or designee, the student is allowed to reapply for residence hall living. The student may be admitted to a residence hall provided there is space available. During the suspension period, the student may not visit or enter any residence hall at any time for any reason unless otherwise specified. Persons responsible for payment of the student’s University bills will be notified by the Dean of Student Life or designee when a student is suspended from the residence halls. When suspended from living in the residence halls, the student must leave the hall according to the terms of the sanction or within 72 hours after the sanction has been imposed.
l. Expulsion from the residence halls — The student permanently loses the privilege of living in, visiting, or entering University residence halls. Persons responsible for payment of the student’s University bills will be notified by the Dean of Student Life or designee when a student is expelled from the residence halls. When expelled from the residence halls, the student must leave the residence halls according to the terms of the sanction or within 72 hours after the sanction has been imposed.
m. Suspension — The student is separated from the University for a period of time. Individuals responsible for payment of the student’s University bills will be notified by the Dean of Student Life or designee to the extent allowed by FERPA. A letter will be sent to the student, the person responsible for the student’s University bills (to the extent allowed by FERPA), Registrar, and Office of Business & Finance, and copies kept on file in the Office of Student Conduct and Responsibility. The student’s transcript will indicate an administrative withdrawal from all classes, should a suspension occur during an academic semester. When suspended, the student must leave campus within 36 hours after the sanction has been imposed, except as otherwise specified. During the period of suspension, the student is banned from campus, and may only visit administration buildings for business purposes with prior clearance from the Dean of Student Life or designee. As noted in the Academic Catalog: “Courses taken at other institutions while a student is on suspension (academic, disciplinary, or honor) from Mary Washington are not accepted by Mary Washington for transfer credit and will not fulfill any degree requirement.”
n. Expulsion — Permanent removal of the student from the University. Persons responsible for payment of the student’s University bills will be notified by the Dean of Student Life or designee to the extent allowed by FERPA. A letter will be sent to the student, the person responsible for the student’s University bills (to the extent allowed by FERPA), Registrar, and Office of Business & Finance, and copies kept in the permanent file in the Office of Student Conduct and Responsibility. When expelled, the student must leave campus within 36 hours after the sanction has been imposed, except as otherwise specified. The student is banned from campus, and may only visit administration buildings for business purposes with prior clearance from the Dean of Student Life or designee. A student expelled from the University is not eligible for readmission. The student’s transcript will indicate the date of the expulsion.
o. Sanctions other than those described above may be issued.
Students who do not successfully complete conduct sanctions by given deadlines are subject to additional actions through the Office of Student Conduct and Responsibility and to having an administrative hold placed on their educational records. Students with administrative holds in place cannot register for classes, receive official grade reports, or have official transcripts sent.
ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWALS
If a student is expelled or suspended from the University as a sanction for violating the Code of Conduct, or as a result of another administrative action, such involuntary withdrawal is termed Administrative Withdrawal. A student thus expelled/suspended is not eligible for readmission (in the case of expulsion) or refund of any fees, except the balance of a meal plan, if applicable.