Westminster College Student Conduct

Disciplinary Sanctions

The scope of disciplinary sanction that may be imposed on students is as follows:

1. Disciplinary Warning — A warning is a verbal notice to a student, to be followed, in writing, that continuation of policy violations will be cause for more serious disciplinary action. A copy of the letter of warning is placed in the student’s file in the Office of Student Affairs.
2. Disciplinary Probation — The student is permitted to remain enrolled in the College only upon condition that he/she comply with all College rules or regulations and/or with other standards of conduct which the student is directed to observe for the duration of the period of the probation. This may include loss of student privileges except those required for the necessary completion of academic course work.
   Probation may not exceed one calendar year in duration for any given misconduct, except that violation of probationary conditions shall be cause for extension of the probation for more than two additional terms or for suspension or expulsion. A copy of the letter of probation is placed in the student’s file in the Office of Student Affairs.
3. Disciplinary Suspension — The temporary loss of student status for a specified period of time, with resultant loss of all student rights and privileges. Re-enrollment is contingent upon completion of suspension, the fulfillment of its terms, and upon approval of the Associate Dean. A copy of the letter outlining these terms is placed in the student’s file in the Office of Student Affairs.
1. Temporary Suspension — A student may be temporarily suspended from the College by the Associate Dean pending final action on the charges against them if, in the judgment of the Associate Dean, the student’s continued presence on campus would constitute a potential for serious harm to themselves or to the safety of any member of the College community or of College property.
4. Disciplinary Expulsion — This sanction is one of involuntary departure of the student from the College with resultant loss of all student rights and privileges. Separation is permanent and makes no provision for the student to re-enroll at Westminster College at any time in the future.

The following sanctions may be imposed independently of or in combination with any of the disciplinary sanctions outlined above:

1. Fines – The dollar amount of fines assessed to students and student organizations will be determined by the Associate Dean or designee.
2. Restitution — Payment equal to replacement or repair costs, including labor, for damaged or stolen property, reimbursement of other losses, such as medical bills; payment to the College for services including, but not limited to, food and housing charges.
3. Restrictions and Conditions of Student Behavior — Examples include denial of visitation privileges to residence halls, termination or denial of residence in College housing, denial of use of specific College facilities and services, and restrictions from participation in extracurricular activities.
4. Referral for Counseling — The Associate Dean or the College Judicial Board may require a student to establish a counseling relationship with a member of the College counseling staff, any qualified faculty member, or a professional counselor off-campus and may require that the counselor report that the student has reported for counseling as required.
5. Developmental/Educational Assignments — Examples include, but are not limited to, developing and presenting residence hall programs on behavioral or health-related issues; writing an essay on topical concerns such as drug and alcohol abuse, alcohol legislation, etc.; interviewing members of support groups such as AA or another relevant organization and submitting a written report on one’s findings; reporting on the status of fire extinguishers in the residence halls; attending College lectures/seminars on issues relevant to one’s disciplinary case.
6. Sanctions that may be imposed upon student organizations found responsible for violating College policies include warnings and probation. In addition, fines, restitution, and restrictions may be imposed independently of or in combination with warnings or probation. Finally, the Associate Dean or the College Judicial Board may determine that an organization found to have violated the Student Code of Conduct will lose its recognition as an official College organization and the privileges associated with this recognition. If a student organization loses its recognition from the College, the period of time during which it will not be recognized must be specified by the Associate Dean or College Judicial Board.
7. The College, upon written request to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, will disclose to the alleged victim of a crime of violence or a nonforcible sex offense (or to the alleged victim’s next of kin if the victim dies as a result of the crime or offense) the final results of any institutional disciplinary proceeding dealing with that crime or offense.