1720-02-05-.14
Interim Actions
Cite as Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1720-02-05-.14
(1)
In certain situations, the University may impose interim actions prior to the conclusion of the
student conduct process. The University will determine the appropriate interim actions based
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on the totality of the circumstances. Interim actions are not disciplinary sanctions and are
taken to protect the safety, security, and welfare of the Complainant, Respondent, the
University community, and/or University property.
(2)
No-Contact Directive. In cases involving allegations of harassment, assault, physical injury,
sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual
exploitation, and/or retaliation, or where there is reason to believe continued contact between
a student and a specific person may interfere with that specific person's security, safety, or
ability to participate in work or studies, the University may issue a No-Contact Directive to the
student that prohibits the student from having verbal, physical, written, and/or electronic
contact, either directly or indirectly through a third party or other means, with the specific
person for a definite or indefinite period of time. The student will receive written notice of the
No-Contact Directive. Any student, faculty or staff member or other person with a reasonable
justification may request a No-Contact Directive. Any violation of a No-Contact Directive will
be considered a violation of the Code and a risk to the health, safety or welfare of the person
whom the student is prohibited from contacting under the directive, and may result in
disciplinary sanctions or additional interim actions against the student. A No-Contact
Directive may be issued to a student organization under the same circumstances and
conditions as provided under this Section .14(1).
(3)
Disciplinary Hold. A Disciplinary Hold is an encumbrance on a student's University record that
prevents the student from registering for classes, receiving grades, transcripts, and/or
academic credit, and being awarded a degree, until the reason for the hold is resolved. The
Office of Student Conduct may place a Disciplinary Hold on a student's University record
while allegations of Code violation(s) against the student are under investigation, disciplinary
proceedings and/or sanctions against the student are pending or incomplete, or in
accordance with other University rules or policies.
(4)
Interim Restriction. When the Office of Student Conduct has reasonable cause to believe that
the continued presence of a Respondent (student or student organization) on certain
University-controlled property or at certain University-affiliated activities (i) poses a risk to the
health, safety, or welfare of others or to property; or (ii) poses a risk of disruption of or
interference with the normal operations of the University, the Office of Student Conduct may
impose an interim restriction and/or condition (“Interim Restriction”) on the Respondent prior
to the resolution of the allegations of Code violation(s) against the Respondent in the student
conduct process. Examples of Interim Restrictions include, without limitation, restrictions on
the Respondent's privileges to participate in University-affiliated activities, restrictions on the
Respondent's privileges to access certain University-controlled property, and the
Respondent's interim removal and/or reassignment from University-controlled housing.
Restrictions imposed on a Respondent under a No-Contact Directive are not Interim
Restrictions.
(a)
The Respondent will be provided written notice of the Interim Restriction and the basis
for the Interim Restriction. Unless otherwise determined by the Office of Student
Conduct, the Interim Restriction will remain in effect until the conclusion of the student
conduct process, which should be completed without undue delay.
(b)
If the Respondent wishes to contest the Interim Restriction, the Respondent must
request in writing to meet with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs within three (3)
business days of the effective date of the notice of the Interim Restriction. Upon receipt
of a timely request for a meeting, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (or his or her
designee) will schedule a meeting with the Respondent at which the Respondent will
be offered the opportunity to discuss the following issues only: (i) the reliability of the
information concerning the Respondent's conduct on which the Interim Restriction was
issued; and (ii) whether the conduct and surrounding circumstances reasonably
indicate that the Respondent's continued presence on certain University-controlled
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property or at certain University-affiliated activities poses a risk to the health, safety, or
welfare of others or to property, or a risk to the disruption of or interference with the
normal operations of the University. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Vice
Chancellor for Student Affairs (or his or her designee) may remove, modify, or maintain
the Interim Restriction and will notify the Respondent of his or her decision in writing.
(c)
Violations of the terms of an Interim Restriction may result in disciplinary sanctions
and/or additional interim actions against the Respondent, and the Respondent may be
treated as a trespasser.
(5)
Interim Suspension. When the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs has reasonable cause to
believe that the continued presence of a Respondent (student or student organization) on
University-controlled property or at University-affiliated activities (i) poses a significant risk of
substantial harm to the health or safety of others or to property; or (ii) poses an ongoing or
imminent threat of disruption to or interference with the normal operations of the University,
the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs may impose an Interim Suspension on the
Respondent prior to the resolution of the allegations of Code violation(s) against the
Respondent in the student conduct process. During an Interim Suspension, the Respondent
shall be denied access to University-controlled property, including residence halls, and all
other University-affiliated activities or privileges for which the Respondent might otherwise be
eligible, as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs determines in his or her sole discretion to
be appropriate.
(a)
The Respondent will be provided written notice of the Interim Suspension and the basis
for the Interim Suspension. Unless otherwise determined by the Vice Chancellor for
Student Affairs, the Interim Suspension will remain in effect until the conclusion of the
student conduct process, which should be completed without undue delay.
(b)
If the Respondent wishes to contest the Interim Suspension, the Respondent must
request in writing to meet with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs within three (3)
business days of the effective date of the written notice of the Interim Suspension.
Upon receipt of a timely request for a meeting, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
(or his or her designee) will schedule a meeting with the Respondent at which the
Respondent will be offered the opportunity to discuss the following issues only: (i) the
reliability of the information concerning the Respondent's conduct on which the Interim
Suspension was issued; and (ii) whether the conduct and surrounding circumstances
reasonably indicate that the Respondent's continued presence on certain University-
controlled property or at certain University-affiliated activities poses a significant risk of
substantial harm to the health, safety, or welfare of others or to property, or an ongoing
or imminent threat of disruption to or interference with the normal operations of the
University. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (or
his or her designee) may remove, modify, or maintain the Interim Suspension and will
notify the Respondent of his or her decision in writing.
(c)
Violations of the terms of an Interim Suspension may result in disciplinary sanctions
and/or additional interim actions against the Respondent, and the Respondent may be
treated as a trespasser. During an Interim Suspension, permission to be on University-
controlled property or participate in University-affiliated activities may be granted by the
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
(6)
Notwithstanding any provisions in this Section .14 to the contrary, in any case in which a
Formal Complaint is filed alleging Title IX Allegations, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
may impose an interim suspension on a Respondent only after undertaking an individualized
safety and risk analysis, and determining that an immediate threat to the physical health or
safety of any student or other individual arising from the allegations of Sexual Harassment
justifies removal of the Respondent. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs will provide the
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Respondent notice and an opportunity for the Respondent to challenge an interim
suspension within three (3) business days.