Student Conduct Programs

Through a system of disciplinary conferences and hearings, restorative justice, and/or administrative review, students, staff, faculty, and/or administrators are able to participate in the student conduct program to resolve complaints made against students. Underlying the program is a deep regard for discipline as a constructive element of education. Stated another way, the philosophy of this program is based on the belief that an alleged violation of the student code of conduct should be handled so as to maximize the educational experience of the students involved. Such an approach does not eliminate punitive action, including suspension or expulsion, as one of the prescribed disciplinary sanctions. It recognizes that the University must protect itself by appropriate means from individuals whose behavior is contrary to the best interests of the University and its community.

Student Accountability & Restorative Practices (SARP), a unit within Student Affairs, addresses and resolves Gallaudet Student Code of Conduct violations. One of their objectives is to educate students about University policies and procedures, community standards, and their responsibilities as citizens of Gallaudet and the community, while considering the safety of the entire Gallaudet community.

SARP facilitates student development and restoration through a fair process that holds students accountable to community and university standards in order to support student and community success.

It is the intent of the student conduct program that the University, in handling its disciplinary problems, will continue the use of discussion, counseling, conciliation, mediation, and other existing procedures, as long as such measures prove effective. The other provisions of the program will be set in motion in such instances when the informal procedures or restorative practices prove to be, or manifestly appear to be, ineffective, or inappropriate

Restorative Justice in the Student Conduct Process

The university believes that in certain instances alternative approaches to resolving conflicts can enhance the educational experience for students involved in the student conduct process. Restorative Practices is a process to involve, to the extent possible, those who have a stake in a specific offense and to collectively identify and address harms, needs, and obligations, in order to heal and put things as right as possible.

Restorative Practices is appropriate when all parties involved-the complainant(s) and respondent(s)-voluntarily agree to engage in this restorative practices resolution process and the Coordinator (or Director) of Student Conduct agrees that it is an acceptable alternative to resolve the complaint.

Restorative Practices is not an appropriate resolution for cases involving complaints of sexual assault or other serious violations of the Student Code of Conduct; the Coordinator (or Director) of Student Conduct will make a determination of whether or not restorative practices is appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Restorative practices will involve resolution of the incident, and the resolution may include mutually agreeable sanctions if appropriate. Restorative practices agreements are final, and there will be no subsequent proceedings. If restorative practices do not resolve the situation or if the restorative practices agreements are not adhered to, the case will be adjudicated utilizing established disciplinary proceedings as described below.

When determining possible sanctions, a student may have as a result of their behavior Gallaudet will consider not only the particular incident for which the alleged policy violation(s) was placed, but also the overall needs of the individual student. A student’s need for the benefit provided by a particular sanction is not necessarily dependent on their behavior in a particular instance but on the totality of their experience. Although Gallaudet places a high value on the importance of consistency in our process, Gallaudet also recognizes that every situation and every person is different and sometimes reflects that through our sanctioning. Our sanctions are designed to be educational in nature and based on current theory, best practices, and relevant assessment. Ultimately, we strive to engage in a relationship with students in order to turn negative incidents into opportunities for positive growth.

• Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Disciplinary Conference
  • Disciplinary Hearings
  • Disciplinary Sanctions
• SARP Response to COVID Violations
• Hearing Procedures for Student Organizations
• Disciplinary Sanctions for Student Organizations

EFFECTIVE DATE: AUGUST 21, 2020

UPDATED: AUGUST 8, 2021