When an organization violates University policies, sanctions are put in place to inform the organization that the behavior(s) exhibited are unacceptable and are not aligned with the values of the University. Where possible (and necessary), sanctions put in place can be a combination of punitive, educational, and/or restorative.
- Conduct Reprimand
- Inability to Access University Funds
- Restricted Activities
- Probation
- Suspension
- Removal
Conduct Reprimand
- Description: A formal notice that the Student Organization Standards of Conduct have been violated and a warning that future violations will be dealt with more severely
- Appropriate for: Minor violations
- Not appropriate for: Major violations; repeat violations
- Availability: No restrictions
- Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
- Instructions to organization (included with sanction letter):
Inability to Access University Funds
- Description: Rendering an organization’s University account inactive so as to prevent access to funds or services being granted or disbursed. This includes both generated revenue and student fees allocated to the organization.
- Appropriate for: Violations involving misuse of organization funds
- Not appropriate for: All other cases
- Availability: No restrictions
- Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
- Duration: One or more semesters
- Instructions to organization (included with sanction letter):
Restricted Activities
- Description: Restricting the student organization’s ability to access University-controlled benefits and resources (for example, temporary loss of access to University space, a prohibition on travel or social activities, etc.)
- Appropriate for: Violations involving activity-related misconduct (for example, an organization might be prohibited from traveling if they have violated travel policies)
- Not appropriate for: All other cases
- Availability: No restrictions
- Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
- Duration: One or more semesters
- Instructions to organization (included with sanction letter): Example: "All members of the organization are restricted from hosting guests for any organization sponsored event (late-night or otherwise) at any time through [DATE]. This prohibition includes all non-University community members other than parents and/or guardians."
Probation
- Description: Probation is a notice to a recognized student organization that their actions are of such a serious nature that they may jeopardize their status as a recognized organization. The University shall refrain from suspending the student organization at this time, as long as the student organization meets all requirements of their probation. Any additional incidents in which the student organization is found in violation of the Student Organization Standards of Conduct may result in suspension with the possibility of additional sanctions.
- Appropriate for: Lower-level offenses, first-time offenses (or a first offense in several years)
- Not appropriate for: Major violations
- Availability: No restrictions
- Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
- Duration: One or more semesters
- Instructions to organization (included with sanction letter): "Disciplinary Probation is a formal written notice that the organization is not in good standing with the University and its actions will be monitored until [DATE]. During this period, any further violations of the Standards of Conduct will result in harsher sanctions."
There are two types of Probation:
- Conduct Probation without Conditions: A period of time, typically no less than one semester, which is intended to foster reflection, responsibility, and improved decision-making. During this period, the organization is not prohibited from functioning fully, but they are put on notice that any further violations of the Student Organization Standards of Conduct will result in harsher sanctions. This formal written notice indicates that the organization is not in good standing with the University and its actions will be monitored during the specified period.
- Conduct Probation with Conditions: A Probation with Conditions stipulates the period of probation that includes specific restrictions or requirements to be met during the probationary period. The organization will receive a formal written notice stating they are not in good standing with the University and have lost certain privileges for a period of no less than one semester. During this period, any further violations of the Student Organization Standards of Conduct will result in Suspension (see below). During the probation period, members of the organization may be restricted from holding leadership roles within their respective governing organizations (i.e. Inter-Fraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and Sports' Club Council). When the term is complete and all conditions have been met, the student organization will regain good standing with the University.
Suspension
- Description: Separation of the organization from the University for a limited period. During this period, the organization loses all privileges associated with University recognition and may not operate in any fashion. The organization does not need to re-apply for University recognition when the suspension ends.
- Appropriate for: Major violations, repeat violations
- Not appropriate for: Minor violations, first-time violations
- Availability: No restrictions
- Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
- Duration: One or more semesters; typically organization is suspended until its last current member has graduated plus one year
- Instructions to organization (included with sanction letter): "Disciplinary suspension is separation of the organization from the University for a period no less than one semester. During the period of suspension, the organization is not recognized by the University and cannot reserve rooms, participate in campus activities, participate in Intramural sports, or serve on councils. The suspension will remain in place until [DATE]."
There are two types of suspension - term and conditional; organizations may be subject to one or both.
- Term Suspension: A term suspension stipulates the period of suspension when the organization loses all privileges associated with being a recognized organization and may not operate in any fashion. When the term is complete, the student organization’s recognition will be reinstated, and they may return to the University community. The organization does not need to re-apply for University recognition.
- Conditional Suspension: A conditional suspension stipulates the period of suspension when the organization loses specific privileges associated with being a recognized organization and may be restricted in their operations. Conditional suspension requires that the student organization complete assigned sanctions and meet certain requirements before they can fully return to good standing with the University. The purpose of the conditional suspension is to give the student organization the opportunity to partner with the University to correct the behavior that led to the suspension, and to realign the organization’s objectives with the University. During the conditional suspension period the organization will work closely with their governing department to complete a reflection and development assessment to ready them for reintegration into the campus community. The conditional suspension shall continue until the term is complete and all conditions have been met. The organization does not need to re-apply for University recognition.
Removal
- Description: Separation of a student organization from the University
- Appropriate for: Particularly egregious violations, repeated major violations
- Not appropriate for: Minor violations, first-time violations
- Availability: No restrictions
- Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
- Duration: One or more semesters, or permanent
- Instructions to organization (included with sanction letter): "There are two types of removals -- Temporary Removal and Permanent Removal. Organizations can be subject to one or both. Removal is the temporary separation of a student organization from the University for a designated period of time. The organization will be permitted to re-apply for university recognition at a time designated by the Chief Conduct Officer. Permanent Removal is the permanent separation of a student organization from the University. Organizations that are permanently removed are not eligible to re-apply for recognition. Any change to this must be approved by the Senior Student Affairs Officer or their designee. In this matter your organization has been issued a [REMOVAL/PERMANENT REMOVAL]. Effective [DATE], your organization is considered removed from campus recognition, and all privileges associated with being a recognized student organization have been removed."
There are two types of removals, temporary and permanent:
- Temporary Removal: Temporary separation of a student organization from the University for a designated period of time. These organizations will be permitted to re-apply for University recognition at a time designated by the Chief Conduct Officer.
- Permanent Removal: Permanent separation of a student organization from the University. Organizations that are permanently removed are not eligible to apply for recognition. Any change to this must be approved by the Senior Student Affairs Officer or their designee.
