Sanctions and Submissions

A student’s hearing officer or board considers the following factors when developing sanctions for any findings of responsible:

• Typical sanctions for each violation as part of the current incident
• Choices, risks, harms, mitigating, and aggravating factors in the current incident
• Previous disciplinary history, including prior findings of responsible, dates of policy violations, and any patterns of behavior
• Any current disciplinary status

No. Sanctions are not an evaluation of character, but rather the choices and behaviors during a specific incident. As such, character statements, academic achievement, student involvement, and other similar factors are not considered as a part of the process for developing sanctions.

Sanctions will always include a disciplinary status and typically include educational, reflective, and/or restorative actions. Depending on the nature of the incident and behaviors, additional action items may be assigned such as an assessment with a licensed healthcare provider, a fine, reimbursement for damages caused.

Official Warning

An official warning is the lowest disciplinary status level for social policy violations of the Code of Conduct. An official warning is a notification to a student(s) that they have been found responsible for a Code of Conduct violation and that any other violations may result in more serious sanction.

Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary probation is a status imposed for a specific time period during which a student can remain on campus, attend classes, and participate in certain programs and activities but is not in good standing and may not participate in study abroad/away programs and student leadership positions. A student is expected to show a positive change in behavior. Disciplinary Probation serves as the official notice that future violations of the Code of Conduct may result in more severe outcomes, including the possibility of suspension or permanent separation.

Disciplinary Suspension

Disciplinary suspension is the removal of a student from the university for a specific period of time. The student may apply for readmission, but will not be approved unless all other assigned outcomes are completed and deadlines have been met.

While a student is suspended, they may not return to the campus or participate in any programs or activities of the university without written permission from the associate vice president for student life / dean of students (or designee), or the associate provost for academic excellence and operations. If a student returns to the campus without written permission during the suspension period, their eligibility to return to Elon in the future may be jeopardized and the student may be issued a legal trespass order.

Permanent Separation

Separation is the permanent removal from the university. Students separated from the university will be refunded board and tuition only, using the refund schedule outlined in the Academic Catalog. All other fees and charges are forfeited.

If a student is permanently separated from the university, a notation will be made on the official transcript.

Students who are permanently separated from the university for violations of the Code of Conduct may not return to the campus or participate in any programs or activities of the university without written permission from the associate vice president for student life / dean of students (or designee), or the associate provost for academic excellence and operations. If the student returns to the campus without written permission, they may face criminal charges for trespassing.

Alcohol Discussion Workshop

Students attend a peer group workshop focused on alcohol risk-reduction strategies.

AlcoholEdu for Sanctions

AlcoholEdu for Sanctions is an online program to help students evaluate their current choices related to alcohol. It is a science-based course designed to teach students about the effects of alcohol on the body and mind and assist students in making safer, healthier decisions.

Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO

eCHECKUP TO GO is an evidence-based online alcohol education program that is focused on reducing high-risk drinking behaviors on college campuses and strengthen a culture of safety and health.

BASICS Alcohol Education Program

As part of the BASICS program, students are asked to examine their own drinking behavior in a private, judgment-free environment with a trained facilitator. The goals of the BASICS program include reducing risky behaviors and harmful consequences to self and/or others.

Marijuana 101

Marijuana 101 is a two-part online drug education course that will provide an overview of marijuana, its impact on the body, laws, and potential consequences of engaging in substance use.

Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention

This online course is designed to provide information related to prescription drug use and provide knowledge to prevent drug abuse. It provides information and activities designed for students found responsible for Code of Conduct violations related to prescription drug use.

Fine

Fines go to support financial impact on the University resulting from the impact of a student’s behavior and choices, educational goals, resources, and initiatives, such as substance use education, alcohol-free programming, and intervention strategies.

Reimbursement for Damages

Students are provided information to reimburse the University or an impacted party(ies) for damages, misappropriation, or loss of property.

Substance Use Assessment and Completion of Recommendations

Students are asked to complete an assessment with a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and complete any treatment and/or education recommendations. Here is a list of available providers near Elon University.

Monthly or Random Drug Test

Students are asked to complete a drug test monthly or at random for a specified length of time.

University Housing Probation

A student is placed on university housing probation for a specified length of time. Probation allows students to reflect upon their choices and behaviors and demonstrate the ability to support residential community standards, policies, and expectations. Any violation that occurs while on this status may result in reassignment or loss of University-assigned housing.

University Housing Reassignment

A student is administratively reassigned from their current housing assignment to a residential location based on availability and recommendations.

Loss of University Housing

A student is removed from University-owned or leased housing.

Commitment to Community Reflection

This exercise is designed for students to consider their values and decisions as it relates to their campus community. They will consider the responsibilities of being a community member, what it means to be personally and socially responsible, and how their choices can support a positive living and learning environment.

Decision-Making and Impact Project

This exercise is designed for students to gain insight into their decision-making processes. Students will consider how they make decisions, how they might improve their decision-making process, and the impact their decisions have on others.

Educational Conversation

Students are asked to schedule a follow-up meeting to engage in additional conversation and reflection with an administrator or staff member.

Gratitude Education Reflection

This outcome requires students to reflect on their decisions to attend Elon, their experiences at Elon, and what they have been grateful for throughout. Reflecting on items we are grateful for can also illuminate how our decisions and values align or are misaligned. Reflection also reminds us of what is important and valued in our lives, especially during challenging or uncertain times.

Greek-Wise

Greek-Wise is a one-part online educational course that will help students better recognize the impact of behaviors that they engage in, specifically related to the culture of Greek-letter student organizations.

Mindful Journaling

This outcome is designed to help students navigate the various emotions they shared that occurred as a result of a situation. After reading an article, students are asked to maintain a journal entry each day, in a format of their choosing, for a two-week period.

Off-Campus Community Member Reflection

This outcome requires students to engage in conversation with their neighbors and members of the Town of Elon and reflect on their values as a student and community member.

Reflection Paper

This outcome requires students to reflect on their values as a student and community member. Prompts that a student is asked to reflect on will depend on the nature of the situation.

Letter of Apology

A student is asked to write a letter of apology in an effort to repair the harm caused and restore trust. This letter includes a reflection on the incident, how their actions impacted the community and that individual(s), and in what ways a student has grown since engaging in conversations.

Elon Tradition

A student is assigned to assist with an Elon University tradition to provide an opportunity for them to give back to the community by contributing to a positive tradition on campus. They are asked to meet with a representative(s) who coordinates the event, assist with at least four hours of service in setting up or cleaning up the event, attend the event, and submit a reflection.

Meaningful Connections Plan

The purpose of this plan is to support a student’s personal, academic, and wellness goals by helping students identify and enrich the connections that align with their goals.

Re-Integration Plan

Typically assigned to any student who is suspended from the University, this plan prepares students for their transition back to the Elon community by encouraging them to think about the resources and commitments they may need to contribute to their academic & co-curricular success, social connection, and personal wellness.

Well-Connected Plan

Typically assigned to first-year students, this plan asks students to create and execute a plan to develop meaningful connections, involvement, and well-being during their first year at Elon.