Possible Outcomes of Misconduct

Disciplinary Actions and Outcomes

If a student or student organization is found responsible for violation(s) of the Franklin & Marshall Code of Conduct, disciplinary action will be taken. Even in the most challenging situations, however, the College seeks first and foremost to educate its students and make decisions regarding disciplinary actions from an educative perspective.

Every student who is found responsible for a violation will be placed on a Status ranging from a Warning to Expulsion. The descriptions provided below are intended to inform students of the range of possible consequences for failing to uphold the standards of conduct. In each case, factors such as the nature and gravity of the incident, the motivation underlying the behavior, the student’s disciplinary history, the impact of the behavior on the educational community, and precedent in similar cases will be considered in determining the appropriate disciplinary action(s). The disciplinary Status listed below may be used alone or in combination with discretionary Conditions. Failure to comply with any disciplinary action could result in a Disciplinary Hold being placed on the student’s account, and/or additional conduct charges and may result in additional disciplinary action(s).

Disciplinary Statuses for Students

Warning

A warning indicates that a Student was found responsible for a minor policy violation. The warning period indicates that a student is in good standing with the College and that further violations during the warning period may result in an additional response from the College. Warnings may require specific conditions to be completed.

Reprimand

A Reprimand means that a student was involved in a violation that is considered serious or repetitious, but also a learning opportunity that is not published on the permanent record. It is a reminder that future violations would likely come with more serious consequences. Reprimands may require specific conditions to be completed.

Disciplinary Probation

A Probationary period indicates that a Student has been found responsible for serious or repetitive misconduct and has been put on notice that further violations during the probation may result in extension of the probationary period, additional conditions, suspension, or expulsion. During the period of probation, specific conditions may be assigned. All assigned conditions are required to be completed before their deadlines. Probation could restrict a Student from various leadership positions and opportunities on campus, including responsibilities as a House Advisor and the ability to study abroad.

When a student is placed on Probation as a result of disciplinary action, that is considered a change in standing, and parents will be notified.

Disciplinary Probation with Transcript Notation

In serious violations, such as those involving violence or repetitive academic misconduct, the College reserves the right to list the Probation status on a student’s transcript. At the completion of the active Probation period, a student may appeal to the Dean of Students for the removal of the notation.

Suspension

Suspension is the immediate removal of the Student’s affiliation with the College for a specific period of time, which includes exclusion from classes, College housing, and all other College activities.

Suspended Students are not allowed to be on campus for any reason during the period of suspension and may be arrested for trespassing if found on College property. Students are encouraged not to be present in the city of Lancaster during the period of suspension.

Specific conditions will be required to be completed prior to the Student’s return.

When a student is placed on Suspension as a result of disciplinary action, that is considered a change in standing, and parents will be notified.

Suspension is an opportunity for a Student to return and successfully complete a degree from Franklin & Marshall. Students returning from Suspension must file a petition for readmission with the Dean of Students.

Once the term and the conditions of a suspension are completed, a Student will receive a formal letter from the College approving the return. It is the responsibility of the Student to contact their academic department to discuss returning.

Suspensions are recorded for a stated period of time on any College transcript issued as “Suspended, Committee on Student Conduct, (date)” or “Suspended, Administrative Action, (date).”

Students are encouraged to participate in meaningful life experience during their separation, which could include working, performing community service, taking classes or some other engaged activity, and may request permission to earn up to two transferred academic credits per term during the period of suspension.

Expulsion

Expulsion is a permanent involuntary separation of a Student from the College. Under typical circumstances, readmission is not possible. It implies that an appeal for readmission would not be granted.

An expelled student forfeits the rights of membership and participation in the College Community and may not be on College property without prior permission of the Office of Student Affairs.

Expulsion is recorded on the student’s on any College transcript issued as “Expelled, Committee on Student Conduct, (date).” or “Expelled, Administrative Action, (date).”

If a student is expelled, the student’s case will automatically be reviewed by the Office of the Provost and the student will be invited to add any supporting arguments or documents. This step constitutes the first step in the appeal process.

When a student is expelled as a result of disciplinary action, that is considered a change in standing, and parents will be

notified.

Discretionary Conditions

In addition to a status, and in support of the educational goals of the discipline process, a student may be assigned conditions they must complete successfully in order to bring closure to their case.

Conditions could include

·     Workshop or class

·     Meeting with a mentor

·     Participation in restorative process

·     Online seminar

·     Reflection activity

·     Use of a campus or local resource

·     Loss of privileges

·     Community restitution

·     Meaningful life experience

·     Residential Probation

·     Removal from housing or reassignment of residence.

Statuses for Student Organizations

Warning

A warning indicates that a Student Organization was found responsible for a relatively minor policy violation. Written notice to a Student Organization that continued or further violations of any College policy, rule, or regulation within a specific period of time may result in an additional response from the College. Warnings may require specific conditions to be completed.

Reprimand

A Reprimand means that a Student Organization was involved in a violation that is considered serious, but also a learning opportunity. It is a reminder that future violations would likely come with more serious consequences. Reprimands may require specific conditions to be completed.

Probation

Probationary periods indicates that a Student Organization is no longer in good standing with the College but is permitted to retain College registration on a probationary status. Further violations during the Probation period may result in extension of the probationary period, additional conditions, or suspension or expulsion. During the period of Probation, specific conditions may be assigned. All assigned conditions are required to be completed before their deadlines. If a Student Organization with an inter/national affiliation is found responsible for misconduct and is placed on a status of Probation, Franklin & Marshall will inform the national/international office of the decision.

Suspension

Student Organization Suspension denotes the temporary revocation of College recognition and all privileges thereof, beginning immediately and for a period of time, with the opportunity of reinstatement. This Suspension is defined as having no existence of a formal or informal organization of students in the name of the organization, or any of its alumni organizations, on or off campus at Franklin & Marshall.

1. Suspended Student Organizations may lose certain privileges, such as use of campus facilities, participation in College activities, use of allocated funds, recruitment, or new member education activities.

2. If a Student Organization with an inter/national affiliation is found responsible for misconduct and is placed on a status of Suspension, Franklin & Marshall will inform the inter/national office of the decision.

3. If a Student Organization on suspension is found to be recruiting or initiating new members, individual Students will be held accountable and the return from Suspension for the organization could be in jeopardy.

Specific conditions will be required to be completed prior to the Student Organization's return.

Expulsion

The Expulsion of a Student Organization denotes the permanent revocation of College recognition and all privileges thereof, without the opportunity for reinstatement at any time. This Expulsion is defined as a Student Organization having permanent exclusion from all College programs and services including, but not limited to: student government recognition, College funding, advertising the Student Organization and/or displaying the Student Organization name or letters; the inability to participate in or sponsor any activities as a Student Organization, to participate in recruitment and pledging activities; or for Organization members to hold positions related to their membership in the suspended Student Organization (i.e., IFC or Panhellenic positions, applicable student government or judicial board positions).

Discretionary Conditions for Organizations

In addition to a status, and i support of the educational goals of the discipline process, a student organization may be assigned conditions they must complete successfully in order to bring closure to their case.

Conditions could include

·Workshop or class

·Meeting with a mentor

·Participation in restorative process

·Reflection activity

·Use of a campus resource

·Loss of privileges

·Community restitution

·Residential Probation

·Removal from housing or reassignment of residence.