1720-05-01-.07
Interim Suspension
Cite as Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1720-05-01-.07
(1)
When the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or his/her designee has reasonable cause to
believe that a student’s or student organization’s continued presence on University-controlled
property or at University-affiliated activities poses a significant risk of substantial harm to the
health or safety of others or to property or poses an ongoing threat to the disruption of, or
interference with, the normal operations of the University, the Vice Chancellor for Student
Affairs or his/her designee may impose an interim suspension prior to the conclusion of a full
hearing on the alleged misconduct.
(2)
An interim suspension shall be confirmed by a written statement that explains the basis for
the interim suspension and shall remain in effect until the conclusion of a full hearing in
accordance with the rules of the University, which shall be held without undue delay. The
statement shall be delivered to the student in person, to the address the University has on file
for the student, or to the student’s University-provided e-mail account. The statement shall be
delivered in person or via e-mail to the advisor to the student organization.
(3)
Within three (3) business days of the imposition of the suspension, the student or student
organization shall be offered an opportunity to appear personally before the Vice Chancellor
for Student Affairs or his/her designee in order to discuss the following issues only: (i) the
reliability of the information concerning the student’s conduct; and (ii) whether the conduct
and surrounding circumstances reasonably indicate that the student’s or student
organization’s continued presence on University-controlled property or at University-affiliated
activities poses a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of others or to
property or poses an imminent threat of disruption of or interference with the normal
operations of the University.
(4)
During an interim suspension, the student or student organization shall be denied access to
University-controlled property, including residence halls, and all other University-affiliated
activities or privileges for which the student or student organization might otherwise be
eligible, as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or his/her designee determines in his/her
sole discretion to be appropriate. A student or student organization who receives an interim
suspension and violates the terms of the interim suspension shall be subject to further
disciplinary action and may be treated as a trespasser. Permission to be on University-
controlled property or participate in University-affiliated activities may be granted by the Vice
Chancellor for Student Affairs or his/her designee.
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CHAPTER 1720-05-01
(5)
When a student is placed on interim suspension from the University, he/she may be assigned
a grade of “W” or “I,” whichever is deemed more appropriate by the faculty member involved.
(6)
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section .07, in any case in which a Formal
Complaint is filed that includes 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
Respondent notice and an opportunity for the Respondent to challenge an interim
suspension or removal within three (3) business days.