Community Standards and Student Conduct

Section VII. Sanctions

Code of Student Conduct

The following are University sanctions that may be assigned as a result of a student found in violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Sanctions may be imposed independently or in combination with other sanctions. Sanctions can be assigned to an individual student, groups of students, and student organizations.

A. Warning

A finding that the behavior violated a community standard and a written or verbal warning was issued to the student that any repetition of the behavior will result in more severe disciplinary action.

B. Educational Sanction

An order requiring the student or student organization to perform mandated service or to participate in an education program or activity including, but not limited to, an educational seminar, a treatment program for alcohol or drug abuse, or other program/task designed to assist the student in learning more about how their behavior impacted themselves and/or the community.

C. Parental Notification

A letter or phone call notifying a parent or guardian of a student who is under 21 years of age (at the time the letter will be sent) that their student has committed a violation of law or university policy pertaining to drugs or alcohol.

D. Alcohol Violation Sanctioning Guidelines

Incident results in:

Offense Harm to Self, Others, or Property  No Harm to Self, Others, or Property
First Written warning, probationary period of no less than two semesters, $50 fine, and parental notification. Written warning, alcohol course, $50 fine, probationary period for no less than two semesters, and possible parental notification.
Second Complete a probationary period for no less than two semesters, $100 fine, possible removal from campus housing and/or suspension from the University, and parental notification. Complete a probationary period for no less than two semesters, $100 fine, and parental notification.
Third Suspension from school for no less than two semesters, $150 fine, parental notification, and permanent removal from campus housing. Further violations may result in expulsion from the University. Possible removal from campus housing and/or suspension from the University, $150 fine, probationary period for no less than two semesters upon return to the University, and parental notification.

The above sanctions are guidelines. Sanctions may be increased or decreased based on the severity of the incident, the impact upon the community, and/or the student's discipline history.

E. Drug Violations Sanctioning Guide

Incident results in:

Offense Harm to Self, Others, or Property  No Harm to Self, Others, or Property
First Written warning, probationary period for no less than two semesters, $50 fine, parental notification, possible removal from campus housing, and/or suspension from the University. Written warning, Marijuana 101 workshop, $50 fine, probationary period for no less than two semesters, possible removal from campus housing, and parental notification.
Second Suspension from the University for no less than two semesters, permanent removal from campus housing, probationary period for no less than one academic year, $100 fine, and parental notification. Probationary period for no less than two semesters, $100 fine, removal from campus housing and/or possible suspension from the University, and parental notification.
Third Suspension from the University for no less than two semesters, $150 fine, parental notification, and further violations may result in expulsion from the University Suspension from the University for no less than one semester, probationary period for no less than two semesters, $150 fine, permanent removal from campus housing, and parental notification. Further violations may result in expulsion form the University.

 The above sanctions are guidelines. Sanctions may be increased or decreased based on the severity of the incident, the impact upon the community, and/or the student's discipline history.

F. Good Samaritan Medical Amnesty

To safeguard students so they receive the help they need without fear of consequences or retribution, the Good Samaritan Medical Amnesty Policy has been adopted. Students who seek emergency medical attention for themselves, or for a student who need medical assistance, as a consequence of consumption of alcohol, drugs, and/or substances, will not be subjected to disciplinary action for their actions directly related to such consumption of alcohol, drugs, and/or, provided they do the following: 

  1. Contact and obtain assistance from Residence Life and Housing staff, University Police Department, medical professionals, and/or local law enforcement;
  2. Complete an assessment/evaluation with a licensed mental health professional or substance abuse counselor or an approved educational workshop in a timely manner and be responsible for any associated costs;
  3. Meet with a member of the Community Standards and Student Conduct staff to discuss the incident. 

To honor the culture of respect of self and others, this policy is only for those students who activate the assistance and not for those found by the University employees or other emergency personnel or law enforcement. 

G. Restitution

Requires a student to pay for damages to property, or the property of members or visitors to the University, or for misappropriation of university funds, or for other expenses incurred as a result of violations of the Code of Student Conduct. Such reimbursement will be charged to any student who alone, or through group activities, organizes or knowingly participates in the events causing the damages or costs. Restitution may be imposed separately or in addition to any other sanction(s).

H. Fine/Administrative Fee

A fine or fee requires a student to pay a sum of money (not to exceed $200). An administrative fee of $25.00 (minimally) is automatically assessed to any student found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct each time they are involved in an incident. Fines and fees assist with costs associated with an educational workshops and programs, as well as the daily operations of the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct.The conduct body shall determine which fines are appropriate and the amount of the fines to be assessed. Fines may be imposed separately or in addition to any other sanction(s).

The fines or fees listed below may be assessed.

  • $25 Fine for a finding of responsibility for a violation of the Code during an incident.
  • $35 Fine due to failure to attend a meeting/conduct conference or complete a sanction by the required date.
  • $125 Fee to cover costs associated with an educational workshop (Academic Integrity Seminar).
  • $50 Fee to cover costs for Under the Influence alcohol course or Marijuana 101 program.
  • $50 Fine due to 1st alcohol or drug violation.
  • $100 Fine due to 2nd alcohol or drug violation.
  • $150 Fine due to 3rd (and each subsequent) alcohol or drug violation.

I. Probation

A trial period during which a student must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Under the status of disciplinary probation, a student is encouraged to seek advice and counsel from appropriate University officials. Conditions of probation may be set forth which restrict the student's participation in co-curricular activities such as holding a student leadership position, competing in a sporting event(s), being employed on campus or other specified activities. Disciplinary probation status may also affect qualifications of some awards, prizes, or financial aid, particularly those stipulating conduct acceptable to the University. Established proof of a violation of the terms of probation, or of a further incident of misconduct while on probation, may result in separation from the University for no less than one academic semester.

J. Loss of Privilege

The withdrawal of a privilege, use of a service, participation in a program, event, or activity for a specific period of time. The loss of privilege may prohibit a student or organization from participating in co-curricular or athletic activities, continuing a degree program, living in campus housing, and/or prohibit a student from enrolling in a class or classes. This sanction may be imposed separately or in addition to any other sanction(s).

K. Termination of Recognition

An order terminating University recognition of a registered student organization for a specific or indefinite period of time.

L. No Contact Order

No contact orders are designed to prevent communication between students to minimize further altercations. Students who have no contact orders are not to contact each other using ANY means. This includes, but is not limited to, comments, words or gestures in person, through postal mail, email, social networking sites, or by having others (friends, acquaintances, family members etc.) act on their behalf. In most instances, no contact orders will be issued to all parties involved when the alleged violations pertain to any act of harassment and physical or emotional violence.

M. Suspension

An action which excludes the student from registration, class attendance, residence in University-owned or -managed housing, and use of University facilities for a specified period of time. The privilege of the use or being on the premises of University facilities/property is withdrawn by this action unless specific permission otherwise is obtained from the conduct officer.

When the suspension action is decided upon after the twelfth week of the semester and the presence of the student on campus is deemed not to be a threat, the suspension may be deferred until the end of the semester at the discretion of the hearing panel or director. Should the student be readmitted, established proof of a further incident of misconduct will result in additional suspension periods or expulsion. Additionally, the failure to observe the terms and conditions of a suspension may cause the extension of the suspension period or in further disciplinary action.

Any student who is suspended is entitled to a refund of fees in accordance with the University refund schedule. Furthermore, a notation will be placed on a student's transcript indicating disciplinary suspension for the entire duration of the student's suspension. Lastly, upon completion of the period of suspension and fulfillment of all conduct sanctions, the student must comply with all academic admission standards then in effect in order to reregister.

N. Summary Suspension

In certain circumstances, the Dean of Students or their designee has the authority to summarily suspend a student or student organization from the University, pending a hearing before the director of Community Standards and Student Conduct or hearing panel. A student or organization will be summarily suspended to ensure the safety and well-being of members and/or property of Wright State University, ensure the student's own physical or emotional safety and well-being, or protect the community if the student poses a threat to the normal operations of the university. The hearing following summary suspension will be held according to the procedure set forth in Section IX of the Code of Student Conduct.

In the event the student committed the violation for which they were notified of, any sanction imposed shall take effect from the date of the summary suspension. The fact of summary suspension and subsequent disciplinary action shall become part of the student's disciplinary record. If the hearing body concludes that there is insufficient evidence to support a finding that the student committed the violation for which he or she was notified of, no record of the summary suspension shall be maintained.

O. Residential Summary Suspension

In certain circumstances, the Director of Residence Life and Housing (or designee) or the Director of Community Standards and Student Conduct (or designee) have the authority to summarily suspend a student from all residential communities pending a hearing. A student may be summarily suspended from all residential communities to ensure the safety and well-being of members and/or property of Wright State University, ensure the student's own physical or emotional safety and well-being, or protect the community if the student poses a definite threat to the normal operations of the University.

P. Deferred Suspension

This sanction is a suspension that is delayed pending specified behavioral performance. A definite period of observation and review occurs during deferred suspension. If a student is subsequently found responsible of violating the Code of Student Conduct, the suspension will take place immediately without appeal.

Q. Expulsion

The permanent loss of the privilege of registration, class attendance, and residence in University owned or managed housing. The privilege of the use of or being on the premises of University facilities or property is also withdrawn by this action. A student who has been expelled is not eligible for readmission. Any student who is expelled may be entitled to a refund of fees in accordance with the University refund schedule. Lastly, a notation will be placed on a student's transcript indicating disciplinary expulsion.

R. Academic Sanctions

  1. Written Reprimand: A written reprimand is a warning given indicating the student's behavior was in violation of the Academic Integrity Policy and should not be repeated. This sanction may be an appropriate for minor violations (poor citations or other plagiarism without the intent to defraud).
  2. Retake/Replace Assignment: Allowing a student to retake an assignment or to make-up an assignment with different work may be an appropriate sanction for minor violations in which the student admits culpability. Retake/Replace assignments should have a maximum score less than that of the initial assignment.
  3. No Credit (for Assignment): This is the recommended sanction for most violations of academic integrity. This sanction is generally appropriate for collaborating on homework and/or minor plagiarism in a writing assignment.
  4. Reduction of Final Course Grade: This sanction may be appropriate in violations where the student refuses to take responsibility for their misconduct or compounds their misconduct with a pattern of inappropriate behavior. This sanction may also be appropriate for major violations in which the student is fully cooperative.
  5. Failure of Class: This sanction is recommended for most major violations of academic integrity. Such violations include cheating on a midterm or final exam, plagiarizing a term paper, or other misconduct on a major summative experience.

S. Non-academic Sanctions

Non-academic sanctions may be imposed by the Academic Integrity Hearing Panel (AIHP) for any incident of academic dishonesty in addition to the academic sanction that was issued by the faculty member. The AIHP may issue any sanction set forth in the Code of Student Conduct. Non-academic sanctions are automatically considered by the panel for repeat offenses or if the student fails to initially meet with the professor to discuss the allegations.

  1. Removal of Credit: An order withdrawing academic credit, previously granted to a student who has been found responsible, for a serious violation of the Academic Integrity Police may be imposed by the academic integrity hearing panel (AIHP).
  2. Academic Integrity Notation on a Transcript: A notation on a transcript may be imposed if the AIHP determines that a student has committed a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy. The AIHP may impose the sanction of a notation, which is placed on the student's academic transcript indicating that they received a failing grade in the course or was suspended/expelled due to a violation of academic integrity. A notation of this type will be reserved for cases in which the violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is determined by the AIHP as serious, or when the violation is a repeat offense.
  3. Revocation of Degree: This sanction may be imposed by the AIHP when a student has been found responsible of a serious violation of the Academic Integrity Policy. Plagiarism of a graduate thesis or dissertation discovered after a student has graduated may result in revocation of the student's degree.