Student Conduct Programs

One of the primary responsibilities of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices (SARP) is to address and resolve student code of conduct violations, including residence hall policy violations through the Student Conduct Program.  The goal of the Student Conduct Program is to help students understand University policies, community standards, and their responsibilities as members of both Gallaudet and the wider community, while also protecting the safety and well-being of the campus.  The student conduct process is designed to support student learning, growth, and accountability. Students and student organizations are expected to take responsibility for their choices, reflect on their decisions, and consider how their actions affect others. 

Whenever possible, concerns are resolved through discussion, counseling, mediation, and restorative practices. If these approaches are not effective or appropriate, more formal measures—such as hearings and disciplinary sanctions—may be used. In serious cases, sanctions can include suspension or expulsion. 

Overall, the student conduct process emphasizes fairness, learning, and personal development, while fostering a respectful and inclusive campus environment where all students can thrive. 

Initial Review Process 

Upon initial review, SARP will take one or more of the following actions: 

• Dismiss the report due to a lack of actionable information;
• Have a preliminary conversation with the referring individual(s) to gather additional information; 
• Ask DPS to further investigate the incident and share information with SARP; 
• Refer the report to the appropriate office for follow-up (if there are no apparent violations of the Code); 
• Meet with the student(s) involved to gather information and discuss the report; or 
• Initiate the next steps of the student conduct process:  Restorative Practices, Disciplinary Proceedings, Administrative Conference, or Administrative Hearing. 

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 SARP staff 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; SARP staff 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 face as a result of their behavior, Gallaudet considers not only the specific incident that led to the alleged policy violation(s), but also the overall conduct history of the individual student. While we strive to remain consistent in our decision making, we also recognize that every situation and every person is different—and our sanctioning may reflect those differences. Our sanctions are designed to be educational in nature and are informed by current theory, best practices, and relevant assessment. Ultimately, we strive to build relationships with students that support learning and personal growth, while also recognizing that some situations may warrant specific punitive sanctions due to the severity of the alleged incident or to protect the well-being of the broader campus community. 

• Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Administrative Conference
  • Accountability Hearing
  • Disciplinary Sanctions
• Hearing Procedures for Student Organizations
• Disciplinary Sanctions for Student Organizations

EFFECTIVE DATE: AUGUST 21, 2020

UPDATED: AUGUST 8, 2021