1720-04-03-.10
Sanctions
Cite as Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1720-04-03-.10
(1)
General Rules.
(a)
Purposes of Sanctions. The purposes of sanctions include, without limitation: (1) to
educate the Respondent about appropriate conduct; (2) to promote the personal and
professional development of the Respondent; (3) to discourage the Respondent and
other students from violating the Standards of Conduct; and (4) to protect other
members of the University community. The sanctions imposed on a Respondent
should be proportional to the Respondent’s misconduct and appropriate for the
particular case based on the gravity of the offense (including, without limitation, how
the violation affected or reasonably could have affected other members of the
University community). Consideration may also be given to the Respondent’s conduct
record; whether the Respondent acted in self-defense, and, if so, whether the amount
of force used was reasonable under the circumstances; the Respondent’s academic
classification (e.g., undergraduate, graduate, freshman, sophomore, junior, senior); and
other aggravating or mitigating factors.
(b)
Administrative and Developmental Sanctions. A student who accepts responsibility or
is found responsible for violating the Standards of Conduct generally will be given one
(1) or more administrative sanctions. A student may also be given one (1) or more
developmental sanctions.
(2)
Administrative Sanctions.
(a)
Warning. A warning is a written notice to a student that informs them that they have
violated the Standards of Conduct, that the misconduct must cease and/or not reoccur,
and that further misconduct will likely result in the imposition of more serious sanctions.
(b)
Disciplinary Probation. Disciplinary probation is imposed for a designated period of time
during which the student may continue to be enrolled but must demonstrate conduct
that conforms to the Standards of Conduct. Conditions may be placed on the student’s
continued enrollment. A student may be placed on disciplinary probation for moderate
misconduct or in the case of repeated minor misconduct. Also, a student allowed to re-
enroll following a suspension will be placed on disciplinary probation. Subsequent
violations of the Standards of Conduct during a period of disciplinary probation may
result in more serious sanctions such as suspension or expulsion from the University.
(c)
Deferred Suspension. A deferred suspension is a designated period of time during
which a student, while continuing to be enrolled, is given an opportunity to demonstrate
the ability to abide by the Standards of Conduct. A student may be placed on deferred
suspension for serious misconduct or in the case of repeated misconduct. If the student
is found responsible for any additional violation(s) of the Standards of Conduct while
the student is on deferred suspension, then the sanction of suspension will be the
minimum sanction that will be imposed in a Formal Hearing on the subsequent
misconduct. Students who are placed on deferred suspension are also generally given
developmental sanctions.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
CHAPTER 1720-04-03
(d)
Suspension. A suspension is an official separation of a student from the University for a
designated period of time and/or until certain conditions are met. A suspension may be
imposed for serious misconduct and/or for a violation of deferred suspension.
Suspension may include conditions that must be satisfied prior to a student being
allowed to re-enroll and/or conditions that will be in place if the student is allowed to re-
enroll. The effective date of a suspension may be imposed retroactively to the date that
the misconduct occurred. While suspended, the student loses all University rights and
privileges (e.g., enrollment privileges), shall not represent the University in any official
manner, and shall not be present on University-controlled property without the prior
approval of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life. The student may be required to meet
with an assigned Student Life staff member periodically while suspended to ensure the
student is making satisfactory progress regarding the developmental sanctions issued.
The Vice Chancellor for Student Life will determine whether the student is eligible for
consideration for re-enrollment by the University’s admissions office(s). Prior to re-
enrollment, the student must satisfy the terms and conditions of all sanction(s) that are
required to be completed prior to re-enrollment. Students who are permitted to return to
the University following a period of suspension will automatically be placed on
disciplinary probation by SCCS for a designated period of time, which is designed to
facilitate a smooth transition back to the University community. A student on post-
suspension disciplinary probation must abide by the Standards of Conduct and all
terms and conditions placed on the student’s re- enrollment.
(e)
Expulsion. Expulsion is a sanction that permanently bars a person from re-enrolling as
a student at the University. This sanction generally is imposed when the student’s
misconduct is deemed so serious as to warrant total and permanent disassociation
from the University community without the possibility of re-enrollment; and/or when, by
the student’s repeated misconduct, a student has exhibited a blatant disregard for the
health, safety, or welfare of other members of the University community or the
University’s right to establish rules of conduct. A person who has been expelled shall
not be present on University-controlled property without the prior approval of the Vice
Chancellor for Student Life.
(f)
Withholding of Degree. The University may withhold a degree as a disciplinary sanction
for a designated period of time or until the student’s completion of all other sanctions
imposed, whichever occurs later.
(g)
Revocation of Degree. The sanction of the revocation of a degree may be imposed if a
student has obtained a degree at least in part through cheating, plagiarism, other
academic dishonesty, or through research misconduct. Revocation of a degree shall be
approved by the Chancellor before the revocation is effective. If approved by the
Chancellor, this sanction will be noted on the student’s academic transcript on a
permanent basis.
(h)
Disciplinary Probation for Student Organizations. A student organization given the
sanction of disciplinary probation is permitted to retain University student organization
registration on a probationary status. As a condition of the disciplinary probation, the
student organization also may be given developmental sanctions.
(i)
Social Probation for Student Organizations. Social probation prohibits a student
organization from sponsoring or participating in specified social activities. While on
social probation, a student organization may not host social events or participate in
University-affiliated activities. Any exceptions to social probation must be approved, in
advance, by the Vice Chancellor for Student Life.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
CHAPTER 1720-04-03
(j)
Deferred Suspension for Student Organizations. A deferred suspension is a designated
period of time during which a student organization, while continuing to be active, is
given an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to abide by the Standards of Conduct. A
student organization may be placed on deferred suspension for serious misconduct or
in the case of repeated misconduct. If the student organization is found responsible for
any additional violation(s) of the Standards of Conduct while the student organization is
on deferred suspension, then the sanction of revocation or suspension of University
registration will be the minimum sanction that will be imposed in a Formal Hearing on
the subsequent misconduct. Student organizations who are placed on deferred
suspension generally also receive disciplinary probation and developmental sanctions.
(k)
Revocation or Suspension of University Registration. In cases of serious or repeated
misconduct, a student organization’s University registration may be suspended or
revoked.
(3)
Developmental Sanctions. In addition to an administrative sanction(s), one (1) or more of the
following developmental sanctions may be imposed in an effort to foster student learning and
development.
(a)
Educational Activities. Educational activities are designed to educate the student about
why certain conduct was inappropriate. Examples of such activities include, without
limitation, offering a formal apology (in writing and/or in person); attending an
educational class, training, or workshop; giving or attending a presentation; preparing
and submitting a research project or paper on a designated topic; or offering a written
reflection responding to a prompt given by SCCS. The student may be held responsible
for the payment of reasonable expenses relating to the educational activity.
(b)
Restitution. Restitution is compensation for loss, damage, and/or injury incurred as a
result of the student’s conduct. Compensation may take the form of money, service,
and/or material replacement. Restitution may be required to be made to the University,
a specific individual, or a specific organization. Normally, all restitution must be paid or
made within two (2) weeks of the imposition of the sanction.
(c)
Supervised Work/Service. A student may be assigned unpaid work or service that is
both beneficial to the University community and/or likely to assist the student in
understanding the effects of the student’s conduct.
(d)
Loss or Restriction of Privileges. Specified student privileges are lost or restricted.
Such privileges include, without limitation, representing the University in any official
manner, the use of or access to University-controlled property, University parking
privileges, or participation in University-affiliated activities (e.g., extracurricular
activities).
(e)
University Housing Reassignment or Removal. A student may be assigned to a
different residence hall or residence hall room. A student’s residence hall contract also
may be terminated, and the student may be prohibited from residing in University
housing for a definite or indefinite period of time.
(4)
Parental Notifications. If a student accepts responsibility or is found responsible for violating a
Standard of Conduct involving drugs or alcohol, and that student is under twenty-one (21)
years of age, SCCS shall inform the parent or legal guardian of that student of the violation,
as required by state law. Typically, SCCS fulfills the parental notification requirement by
mailing written notification to the parent or legal guardian’s address listed with the Office of
the University Registrar. SCCS may also notify parents or legal guardians through other
means when necessary or appropriate. Parental notification is not considered a disciplinary
sanction.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
CHAPTER 1720-04-03