Disciplinary Sanctions

If a Student Conduct Board or the Coordinator of Student Accountability decides that a student should be disciplined, the disciplinary action should be consistent with the severity of the offense. Attempts to commit acts prohibited by the Student Code of Conduct may be disciplined to the same extent as completed violations. A student’s disciplinary history and prior record may be considered a factor for more severe sanctions, if appropriate. Following are sanctions recognized by Gallaudet University; the Board or the Coordinator of Student Accountability may implement other sanctions instead of or in addition to those specified below:

1. Disciplinary Reprimand – Verbal (signed) warning or written and/or signed notification to a student that he/she has violated a University rule or policy and that subsequent wrongful conduct will not be tolerated and may result in severe disciplinary action.
2. Rehabilitative Probation – A period of time, not to exceed one year, during which the student is required to control questionable behavior. Probation is for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to be violating any institutional regulation(s) during the probationary period.
3. Discretionary Sanctions – Work assignments, essays, educational projects, service to Gallaudet University, prohibition from hosting an event including alcohol on or off campus, or other discretionary assignments.
4. Restitution – Reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property and/or compensation for injury. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.
5. Fines – Previously established fines or a specific amount decided upon by the Student Accountability and Restorative Practices and/or the Office of Residence Life and Housing may be imposed.
6. Disciplinary Probation – A specified trial period during which a student whose conduct has been found wrongful has the opportunity to prove that he/she can uphold University rules and policies. It may exclude a student from participation in privileged and/or extracurricular activities as set forth in the notice for the specified period of time. Students found responsible for violations involving alcohol and other drugs will be referred to the alcohol and other drugs educational programs and counseling offered by the University. Failure to attend will result in charges for failure to comply with the Board’s decision. The terms imply that violation of any provision in the Student Code of Conduct would be viewed not only as a violation of the regulation itself, but also as a violation of the probation and would most likely result in his/her suspension from the University.
7. Residence Hall Suspension – Separation of the student from the residence halls for a definite period of time after which the student is eligible to return. The student will be required to depart the residence halls within 72 hours or otherwise as specified by the University administration. Conditions for readmission may be specified, and a ban from the residence halls may be imposed. As part of the sanction, suspension does not result in a prorated room refund according to regular University policy.
8. Deferred Residence Hall Suspension – A residence hall suspension that becomes effective after a specified date. This action is appropriate near the end of the semester to avoid financial and housing hardships that an immediate suspension often entails.
9. Residence Hall Expulsion – Permanent separation of the student from the residence halls. A ban from the residence halls will also be imposed.
10. Loss of Off-Campus Privileges – The loss of the privilege to live off-campus for a specific period of time. The sanction stipulates that the student must have a housing assignment on campus in order to maintain student status.
11. University Suspension – The immediate removal of the privilege to attend Gallaudet University for some specific minimum period of time. The student must sever connections completely with the University. The suspended student may also be placed on persona non grata status (see definition of persona non grata below). At the end of the suspension, a student may apply for readmission. The suspended student is expected to inform the vocational rehabilitation counselor or other agencies through which financial assistance is received. As part of the sanction, suspension does not result in a prorated room refund according to regular University policy.
12. Deferred University Suspension – A suspension that becomes effective after a specified date. This action is appropriate near the end of a semester to avoid financial and housing hardships that an immediate suspension often entails.
13. Expulsion – Permanent dismissal from Gallaudet University. Procedures to petition this sanction are similar to those for suspension. As part of the sanction, expulsion does not result in a prorated room refund according to University policy.
14. Access Restriction – Prohibition from entering certain buildings or the residence halls for any reason. Failure to comply with the terms would result in the person being removed from the premises and being charged for violating this regulation.
15. Persona Non Grata – Prohibition from entering campus premises and attending all University-sponsored activities on- and off-campus for any reason. Failure to comply with the terms would result in the person being removed from the premises by the Department of Public Safety and/or being charged in D.C. with criminal trespass.
16. Community Service – Work assignments may be a part of a disciplinary probation or may be imposed as an independent sanction. Community service hours completed will not count towards fulfilling the student’s community service requirements for graduation. If the student does not complete the community service assignment by the assigned completion date, a charge of non-compliance of a University decision will result.
17. Restorative Practices –

Restorative Intake and Outcomes

When a situation creates harms experienced by others and there is a need for the Respondent to repair the harms created by their conduct, they may be required to complete an intake meeting with staff members in SARP. This intake meeting will explore the means by which the harms will be addressed based on the needs of the campus community and the harmed party, as well as the willingness of the harmed party to participate. The Respondent will be expected to follow through on any outcomes stemming from the intake with the staff member including, but not limited to a facilitated dialogue, shuttle negotiation or restorative conference. If the situation is not appropriate for a face-to-face process, SARP staff may facilitate an alternative approach such as an apology letter or written or signed reflection paper.

Conversations about Conflict

Conversations about Conflict is a one session, 2-hour program. It is meant for students to reflect on how they deal with conflict in their relationships with friends, roommates, family members, professors, university staff, strangers, and even themselves.  Through this one-on-one workshop, students will be given the opportunity to assess their own conflict style, discuss how their community is impacted by conflict, and develop skills for future engagement in conflict.  Upon completion of the workshop, students submit a reflection paper.