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GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY HAZING POLICY
The following hazing policy applies to all student organizations and students of Gallaudet
University.
DEFINITION OF HAZING
Any action taken or situation with or without consent, whether on or off University
premises, which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally, endangers the mental or
physical health or safety of a student, or creates risk of injury, or causes discomfort,
embarrassment, harassment or ridicule, or which willfully destroys or removes public
or private property, or violates any Federal, local statute, or University policy. In most
instances, it concerns action taken or situations with or without consent for the for
the purpose of initiation or admission into or afliation with, or as a condition for
continued membership in any student organization.
Any type of physi cal brutal i ty, such as paddl e swats of any nature, 1.
brandi ng, pushi ng, shovi ng, stri ki ng, tackl i ng, or si mi l ar acti vi ty;
Conducting any activity that results in sleep deprivation (less than 7 hours of 2.
uninterrupted sleep) on any given day, or conducting a new pledge/ associate member
activity between the hours of 11:45 p.m. and 7:45 a.m. Sunday evening through Friday
morning; conducting activities which do not allow adequate time for study or involve late
work sessions or assignments that interfere with academic, occupational, or athletic
obligations; denying a pledge/associate member access to his/her bed at any time;
Forcing, requiring, encouraging pledges/associate members to drink alcohol 3.
or use any drug; providing or using such alcohol or other drug as part of
organizational activities. Under no circumstances should an individual be
under the influence of alcohol during pledge/associate member activities;
Forcing the consumption of any substance, i.e., dropping food in the mouth 4.
(eggs, grapes, liver, etc.) or goldhsh; pouring, dropping, throwing, or rubbing
any substance (eggs, garbage, water, paint, syrup, etc.) on any individual;
Engaging in morally degrading or humiliating games, pranks, and activities such as: 5.
Scavenger hunts that require or result in theft, forced .
or coerced road trips and/or kidnapping;
Destruction of property .
Interfering with or disrupting other organizations on campus; .
Blindfolding pledges/associate members; .
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Personal servitude (requiring pledges/associate members to .
clean up the mess of others, doing chores or errands for the
group or individual members, cleaning their rooms,
serving meals or driving them to class, for example);
Requiring or recommending the carrying of .
unusual items (bricks, pumpkins, plants, etc)
Conducting any activity that results in sleep deprivation (less than 7 hours of 6.
uninterrupted sleep) on any given day, or conducting a new pledge/associate
member activity between the hours of 11:45 p.m. and 7:45 a.m. Sunday
evening through Friday morning; conducting activities which do not allow
adequate time for Conducting activities, which deter or hinder fulhllment of
academic, athletic, or occupational obligations; under no circumstances should
pledge activities be conducted during academic hours, i.e. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Mondays through Fridays (unless special permission has been granted by the
Director of Campus Activities);
Deception and/or threat contrived to convice new pledge/associate member prior 7.
to installment that s/he will be not initiated or able to join the organization
Forced isolation from friends or other members of the University community, 8.
including any prohibition from social interaction, talking, or signing.
Yelling, taunting, cursing, insulting, and screaming at pledge/associate 9.
members;
Nudity or partial nudity at any time; 10.
Exposure to the elements; calisthenics such as push-ups, sit-ups and runs; or 11.
any activity that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of a
student;
Forcing, requiring, or endorsing pledges/associate members to violate any 12.
University policy or any local or Federal law and regulations;
Requiring line-ups, which are dehned as lines or gatherings created for the 13.
purpose of traveling/going from one place to another or a line where pledges/
associate members are subject to interrogation or harassment. Occasional
ceremonial line-ups for the purpose of the announcement of pledges/members
or events, however, can be conducted with advance approval from the Director
of Campus Activities;
Requiring the wearing of apparel or hairstyles that are conspicuous and/ 14.
or normally in bad taste. This includes unusual clothing styles or repetitious
wearing of uniforms. Occasional wearing of uniforms for special events can be
conducted with advance approval from the Campus Activities Director; however,
such occurrences will not occur during academic hours (i.e. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
weekdays.
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IMPLEMENTATION
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which supports the educational
mission and function of the University, as well as to comply with all federal, state, and local
laws. Students have a responsibility to familiarize their selves with the hazing policy and will be
held responsible for compliance with them. Members and prospective members of a student
organization expected to report any observed hazing incident or improper activity, and fully
cooperate with law enforcementauthorities and/or university ofhcials in the investigation of
hazing and other illegal activities.
A representative ofhcer, preferably the president or chairperson, and the faculty/staff
advisor of each organization are responsible for informing members (pledges, associate
members, members, alumni members, and afhliated guests) of the foregoing policy. The
policy is to be read by the president or chairperson to the membership at the rst
meeting of the organization each semester and must be posted in a prominent place
for members to see. The policy is to be distributed at all rush parties and shared also with
each individual before any pledging or membership occurs. Prospective members are to be
advised that hazing is not a requirement for membership, nor is it tolerated.
Any person (national or regional ofhcer, chapter advisor or alumnus, pledge, associate member,
member, afhliate, guest, University staff/faculty member, student) who suffers, witnesses, or
has knowledge of an action in violation of this policy is required to report the incident
immediately to the Dean of Student Affairs, the Director of Student Center Programs and
Services, the Campus Activities Director, and/or the Coordinator of Student Conduct. The
negligence or consent of the student/participant or any assumption of risk by the student/
participant is not a defense to an action brought pursuant to this policy.
If there is a violation of the hazing policy, the Coordinator of Student Conduct will implement
appropriate University disciplinary procedures. This does not preclude additional action taken
by the organization itself, the national/international headquarters of the organization, by the
District of Columbia, or the Federal courts.
The Dean of Student Affairs or a designee may suspend or restrict a student
organization for an interim period pending disciplinary procedures when there is a reasonable
cause to believe the continued activities of the organization and its members may pose an
immediate threat to or interrupt the normal functions of the University community. During the
interim suspension or restriction period, the organization may be required to cease all
organizational activities and its access to University space may be denied. The organization may
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be asked to vacate any assigned University space immediately upon written notice from the
Executive Director of Student Affairs.
Hazing charges against individuals will be investigated and adjudicated in accordance with the
wide range of sanctions in the Student Code of Conduct; if found responsible for violations of
the hazing policy, the organization itself may be subject to suspension or dissolution.
The Greek Presidents Council will be briefed about charges pending against a Greek
organization, while the Student Body Government will be advised of charges pending against a
non-Greek organization only if an interim suspension is imposed against an organization
pending a hearing. The Greek Presidents Council or the Student Body Government will receive
information regarding penalties, if any, that are imposed against an organization in order to
ensure compliance with the decision. The Coordinator of Student Conduct may choose not to
provide this information in extremely sensitive cases.
All student organizations must hle a Hazing Compliance Form with the Campus Activities Ofhce,
or their designated representative, during the hrst two weeks of each academic year and within
15 days after the election or appointment of new ofhcers, to certify compliance with the
Hazing Policy. All ofhcers and members as well as the advisor of the organization will be
required to sign a form certifying that they have received, read, and will abide by the Hazing
Policy of Gallaudet University. Any organization that does not hle the Hazing Compliance Form
with all member signatures will be denied registration as an organization and lose all of its
privileges and rights as an organization until the form is hled.
Any person or organization in need of clarihcation of this policy should consult with the Dean of
Student Affairs, the Director of Student Conduct, the Director of Campus Activities or the
Coordinator of Student Conduct.
OFFICE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
HEARING PROCEDURES FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS:
It is in the best interests of Gallaudet University and the members of the University community
for the University to function as a self-regulated community in an orderly environment.
Assurance that sanctions will be promptly imposed on those found responsible for misconduct
will help the University preserve order. Having its own responsible student conduct system that
follows established procedures will enable the University to deal with internal matters of student
discipline. Further, it can deal with such misconduct in ways that encourage positive learning
from the experience.
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Through a system of student conduct boards and 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 a disciplinary problem should be handled so as to maximize the educational
experience of the students involved. Such an approach does not eliminate punitive action from
the student conduct program. 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.
It is the intent of the student conduct program that the University, in handling its disciplinary
problems, shall continue the use of discussion, counseling, mediation, and other existing
procedures, as long as such measures prove effective. The other provisions of the program shall
be set in motion in such instances when the informal procedures prove to be, or manifestly
appear to be, ineffective, or inappropriate.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION:
The University believes the mediation of disputes will encourage reporting and resolution
of complaints. Mediation is appropriate when all parties involved-the complainant(s) and
respondent(s)-voluntarily agree to engage in this alternative dispute resolution process and
the Coordinator of Student Conduct agrees that it is acceptable alternative to resolve the
complaint. Conciliation or mediation is not appropriate for cases involving complaints of sexual
misconduct or other serious violations of the Student Code of Conduct; the Coordinator of
Student Conduct will make a determination of whether or not conciliation or mediation is
appropriate on a case by case basis.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS:
Any member of the University community (administration, faculty, staff, and students) may
request charges against any student(s) for alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
All allegations of violations should be prepared in writing and directed to the Coordinator of
Student Conduct. In addition, any allegation of violations should be submitted as soon as
possible after the event takes place. The Coordinator of Student Conduct may conduct an
investigation to determine if the reported allegation(s) has merit and/or if they can be disposed
of administratively by mediation or mutual consent of the parties involved on a basis acceptable
to the Coordinator of Student Conduct. If the charges are not admitted and/or cannot be
disposed of by mutual consent, the Coordinator of Student Conduct may later serve in the same
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manner as a non-voting member of the Student Conduct Board in a hearing. The
Coordinator of Student Conduct may refuse to grant hearings on complaints resulting from
incidents that occurred at a time too distant from the date of the hling of charges, or when
information or testimony is too vague. Complaints generally should be made within 30 working
days after discovery of the alleged violation and/or identihcation of the alleged violator.
A student charged for alleged violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct will be entitled to a
disciplinary conference or disciplinary hearing. The Coordinator of Student Conduct will make a
determination of whether a disciplinary conference or disciplinary hearing will be held, based on
the range of sanctions that may be issued for the particular violation. The Coordinator of
Student Conduct will serve as the hearing ofhcer for the disciplinary conference or as a member
of the Student Conduct Board at all disciplinary hearings. In rare occasions the Director of Stu-
dent Center Programs and Services will assume the role of hearing ofhcer if the Coordinator of
Student Conduct is unable to serve in that capacity and the case cannot be rescheduled within a
within a reasonable time.
Formal rules of process, procedures, and/or technical rules of evidence, such as are applied in
criminal and civil court, are not used in the Student Conduct disciplinary proceedings.
DISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE:
In instances where a student is charged with alleged Student Code of Conduct violations that
will likely result in a sanction less than removal from University housing, University
suspension, or expulsion, the student will be entitled to a disciplinary conference. Minor
residence hall violations are usually handled in this manner (for more information on residence
hall disciplinary conferences, see p. 95). A disciplinary conference will normally consist of an
informal meeting between the respondent and the Coordinator of Student Conduct, who will
serve as hearing ofhcer. The Coordinator of Student Conduct will gather all information
necessary to make a just decision in the case. If the Coordinator of Student Conduct
determines that the student is responsible for the violation, the Coordinator of Student Conduct
will impose sanctions appropriate for the violation.
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DISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE PROCEDURES:
The following procedural guidelines are established for respondents charged with violations of
the Student Code of Conduct and assigned to a disciplinary conference through the Student
Conduct Ofhce:
The student shall be notihed by the Coordinator of Student Conduct that a complaint 1.
has been made. The Coordinator shall provide the student with a written statement
with the name of the complainant (person(s) or the University), the procedures for
resolving the complaint, and the range of sanctions that may be imposed.
The student must make an appointment for a disciplinary conference with the 2.
Coordinatorof Student Conduct or a designee no later than three working days after
the letter is received.
If the student fails to arrange a meeting with the Coordinator of Student Conduct 3.
within three working days after receipt of the letter or fails to show up at the
scheduled disciplinary conference, information in support of the charge(s) will be
presented and considered.
The student shall be informed by the Coordinator of Student Conduct or his/ 4.
her designee of two possible ways to handle the case: 1) appear at a scheduled
disciplinary conference and present his/her case before the Coordinator of Student
Conduct, or 2) accept responsibility for the violation(s) as charged, waive his/her
right to a disciplinary conference and presenting witnesses on his/her behalf, and
accept sanctions imposed by the Coordinator of Student Conduct.
The student shall be notihed at least 72 hours in advance of the time, date, and 5.
place of the disciplinary conference. All disciplinary conferences shall be conducted
in private. at the discretion of the Coordinator of Student Conduct. J. Formal rules
of evidence shall not be
A single disciplinary conference may be held for more than one person charged 6.
in a case arising out of a single or multiple occurrence(s). The Coordinator of
StudentConduct will make a such determination. However, each student retains
the right
The student will have the reasonable access to information pertaining to the case 7.
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prior to and during the disciplinary conference.
The student may appear in person and present relevant information to the Coordinator 8.
of Student Conduct and may call witnesses. The student will have the opportunity
to hear and question all participants at the conference. Should the student elect not
to appear at the conference, it shall be held in the absence of the student. In such
instances, the information in support of the charge(s) will be present and considered
even if the student is not present.
The student may be accompanied by an advisor (the advisor shall be a member of 9.
the full-time faculty, staff, or student body of Gallaudet University, but not a lawyer).
The student is responsible for presenting his or her own information, and therefore,
advisors are not permitted to speak or to participate directly in the disciplinary
conference. Advisors may confer with a student only when there is not a question
on the table or a response pending from the student. A student should select an
advisor or a person whose schedule allows attendance at the scheduled date and
time of the disciplinary conference because delays will not be considered due to the
scheduling conficts of an advisor. Violations of any restrictions for advisors will result
in the advisor being removed from the disciplinary conference at the discretion of
the Coordinator of Student Conduct.
Formal rules of evidence shall not be applicable to disciplinary conferences. Any 10.
information or testimony the Coordinator of Student Conduct or hearing ofhcial
believes to be relevant may be considered.
After the disciplinary conference, the Coordinator of Student Conduct shall determine 11.
whether the student is responsible for the violation with which he/she is charged.
The Coordinator of Student Conducts determination shall be made on the basis of
whether it is more likely than not that the accused student violated the Student
Code of Conduct.
The student shall be informed of the right to appeal a decision to the Director of 12.
Student Center Programs and Services (or the Dean of Student Affairs, if the Director
served as hearing ofhcer in the case). A decision or judgment of the Coordinator of
Student Conduct or hearing ofhcial may be appealed by either or both of the parties
involved on the following grounds:
The disciplinary conference was not conducted fairly and in conformity with
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prescribed procedures, which made it unfair. Deviations from designated
procedures will not be a basis for sustaining an appeal unless signihcant
unfairness results.
New or newly discovered information that could not have been produced
at the conference. In order for the Director of Student Center Programs
and Services (or the Dean of Student Affairs, if the Director served as
hearing ofhcer in the case) to consider new information sufhcient to
alter a decision, or other relevant facts not brought out in the original
conference, such information and/or facts must not have been known at
the time of the original conference by the appellant.
The decision was or was not supported by substantial information
considering the record as a whole. That is, the facts in the case were
not sufhcient to establish that a violation of the Student Code of Conduct
occurred.
The sanction imposed was excessive or insufhcient and not appropriate
for the violation.
An appeal must be in writing, must indicate the basis of the appeal with an explanation, and
must be made within hve working days of the date the parties were notihed of the decision. In
an appeal case, sanctions assessed by the initial Coordinator of Student Conduct or
hearing ofhcer may be held in suspense until acted upon in appeal. The appeal will be reviewed
by the Director of Student Center Programs and Services (or the Dean of Student Affairs if the
Director served as hearing ofhcer), and he or she may afhrm, reverse, or modify the sanction
originally determined. The Coordinator of Student Conduct shall convey pertinent information
related to the case. The decision of the Director of Student Conduct (or the Dean of Student
Affairs if the Director served as hearing ofhcer) is hnal.
All disciplinary conferences shall be closed to the public in order to protect the conhdential
nature of the proceedings.
Because of time concerns and the expenses it would incur, provisions for written transcripts
of disciplinary conferences is not required.
The Coordinator of Student Conduct shall determine the rules of procedures in addition to those
stated herein, and all procedural questions are subject to his/her hnal decision.
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DISCIPLINARY HEARING:
In instances where a student is charged with alleged Student Code of Conduct violations that
will likely result in a range of sanctions that may include residence hall suspension, University
suspension, or expulsion, the student will be entitled to a disciplinary hearing. A student may
also choose to waive his/her right to a disciplinary hearing and request a disciplinary conference
with the Coordinator of Student Conduct, with the understanding that the full range of
sanctions, including residence hall suspension, University suspension, or expulsion, will be
applicable. A disciplinary hearing will involve a Student Conduct Board or an Administrative
Student Conduct Board.
STUDENT CONDUCT BOARD:
The Student Conduct Board is a fact-hnding and decision-making body consisting of members
of the University community (who have been selected and received training by the Student
Conduct Ofhce staff), a non-voting Hearing Coordinator, and a non-voting Coordinator of
Student Conduct. The members of the Student Conduct Board have the responsibility for
hearing complaints against students, determining whether a student is, more likely than not,
responsible for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, and recommending disciplinary
sanctions to the Coordinator of Student Conduct.
ADMINISTRATIVE STUDENT CONDUCT BOARD:
The Administrative Student Conduct Board consists of faculty and/or staff representatives and
the Coordinator of Student Conduct. The non-voting Coordinator of Student Conduct will serve
as the hearing ofhcial and as a consultant to the Board. This Board, which meets when the
Student Conduct Board is not able to meet, is empowered to make decisions and recommend
disciplinary sanctions.
DISCIPLINARY HEARING PROCEDURES:
The following procedural guidelines are established for the direction of all persons and boards
conducting disciplinary hearings on complaints against a student at Gallaudet University.
The student shall be notihed by the Coordinator of Student Conduct that a complaint has been
made. The Coordinator shall provide the student with a written statement with the name of the
complainant (person(s) or the University), the procedures for resolving the confict, and the
range of sanctions that may be imposed.
The student must make an appointment for a pre-hearing meeting with the Coordinator of
Student Conduct or a designee no later than hve working days after the letter is received.
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If the student fails to arrange a meeting with the Coordinator of Student Conduct within hve
working days after receipt of the letter or fails to show up at the scheduled pre-hearing
meeting, information in support of the charge(s) will be presented and considered.
The student shall be informed by the Coordinator of Student Conduct of several possible ways
to handle the case: 1) appear at a scheduled hearing and present his/her case before the
Student Conduct Board, 2) request a disciplinary conference and waive your right to a Student
Conduct Board hearing or 3) accept responsibility for the violation(s) as charged, waive your
right to a hearing and presenting witnesses on your behalf, and accept sanctions imposed by
the Coordinator of Student Conduct. In the event of scheduling difhculties or special
circumstances warranting it, the complaint may be heard and action decided by an
Administrative Student Conduct Board hearing.
The student shall be notihed at least 72 hours in advance of the time, date, and place of the
hearing. Hearings shall be conducted in private.
A single hearing may be held for more than one person charged in cases arising out of a single
or multiple occurrence(s). The Coordinator of Student Conduct will make such determinations.
However, each student retains the right to have his/her case heard individually.
The student may appear in person and present relevant information to the Coordinator of
Student Conduct or the Student Conduct Board, and may call witnesses. The student will have
the opportunity to hear and question all participants at the hearing. Should the student elect
not to appear at the hearing, it shall be held in the absence of the student.
Students may be accompanied by an advisor (the advisor shall be a member of the full-time
faculty, staff, or student body of Gallaudet University, but not a lawyer). The student is
responsible for presenting his or her own information, and therefore, advisors are not
permitted to speak or to participate directly in the disciplinary hearing. Advisors may confer
with a student only when there is not a question on the table or a response pending from the
student. A student should select an advisor or a person whose schedule allows attendance at
the scheduled date and time of the hearing because delays will not normally be allowed due to
the scheduling conficts of an advisor. Violations of any restrictions for advisors will result in the
advisor being removed from the hearing at the discretion of the Coordinator of Student
Conduct.
The Board may, by majority vote, limit the number of witnesses because of redundancy or
irrelevancy.
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The student may remain silent to preserve the right against self-incrimination. In such cases,
other available information will be considered.
Formal rules of evidence shall not be applicable to campus disciplinary hearings. Any
information or testimony the Board or hearing ofhcial believes to be relevant may be admitted.
After the hearing, the Student Conduct Board shall determine whether the student is
responsible for the violation with which he/she is charged. The student shall be entitled to an
explanation of any decision. The Student Conduct Boards determination shall be made on the
basis of whether it is more likely than not that the accused student violated the Student Code of
Conduct. The burden of proof rests on the complainant.
The student shall be informed of the right to appeal a decision to the Executive Director of
Student Affairs. A decision or judgment of the Student Conduct Board or hearing ofhcial may be
appealed by either or both of the parties involved on the following grounds:
The Student Conduct Board hearing was not conducted fairly and in conformity with pre-
scribed procedures, which made it unfair. Deviations from designated procedures will not be
a basis for sustaining an appeal unless signihcant unfairness results.
There is New or newly discovered information that could not have been produced at the
hearing. Inorder for the Executive Director of Student Affairs to consider new information
sufhcient to alter a decision, or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing,
such information and/or facts must not have been known at the time of the original hearing
by the appellant.
The decision is not supported by substantial information considering the record as a whole.
That is, the facts in the case were not sufhcient to establish that a violation of the Student
Code of Conduct occurred.
The sanction imposed was excessive or insufhcient and not appropriate for the violation.
An appeal must be in writing, must indicate the basis of the appeal with an explanation, and
must be made within hve working days of the date the parties were notihed of the decision. In
an appeal case, action assessed by the initial Student Conduct Board or hearing ofhcial may be
held in suspense until acted upon in appeal, at the discretion of the Dean of Student Affairs.
The Dean of Student Affairs may afhrm, reverse, or modify the sanction originally assessed.
The Coordinator of Student Conduct shall convey pertinent information to the Dean of Student
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Affairs. The decision of the Dean of Student Affairs is hnal.
No release of information about a case heard by a Student Conduct Board is permitted
except jointly by the Student Conduct Coordinator or higher administrative authority.
All Student Conduct hearings shall be closed to the public in order to protect the conhdential
nature of the proceedings.
Any Student Conduct Board member shall elect to abstain from participation in a hearing when
the member has a duality of interest in the case or a personal reason that precludes participa-
tion without prejudice.
Because of the expenses it would incur, provision for written transcripts of campus disciplinary
hearings is not required.
The Student Conduct Board and/or Coordinator of Student Conduct shall determine the rules of
procedure in addition to those stated herein and all procedure are subject to the hnal decision
of the Coordinator of Student Conduct.
DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS:
If a Student Conduct Board or hearing ofhcial decides that a student should be disciplined, the
disciplinary action should be consistent with the severity of the offense. Following are sanctions
recognized by Gallaudet University; the Board or hearing ofhcial may implement other sanctions
instead of or in addition to those specihed below:
DISCIPLINARY REPRIMAND
Verbal warning or written notihcation 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.
REHABILITATIVE PROBATION
A period of time, not to exceed one year, during which the student is required to control ques-
tionable 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. Conditions such as the
following may be attached: Constructive-type work or educational project. Work should not
confict with tasks assigned to regular University employees nor with the regular University
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class schedule.
RESTITUTION
Reimbursement for damages to or misappropriation of property and/or
compensation for injury. This may take the form of appropriate service or other compensation.
FINES OR LOSS OF HOUSING PRIORITY POINT
Previously established hnes or a specihc amount decided upon by Student Conduct Ofhce or
Campus Life may be imposed. A demotion of a students housing priority points for room selec-
tion by a specihc amount of points may be
issued.
DISCIPLINARY PROBATION
A specihed 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 specihed period of time. Students found responsible for sanctions involving alcohol and
substance abuse will be referred to the substance abuse program offered by the University.
Failure to attend will result in charges for failure to comply with the Boards 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.
RESIDENCE HALL SUSPENSION
Separation of the student from the residence halls for a dehnite 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 specihed by University
administration. Conditions for readmission may be specihed, 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.
DEFERRED RESIDENCE HALL SUSPENSION
A suspension that becomes effective after a specihed date. This action is
appropriate near the end of the semester to avoid hnancial and housing
hardships that an immediate suspension often entails.
RESIDENCE HALL EXPULSION
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Permanent separation of the student from the residence halls. A ban from the
residence halls will also be imposed.
UNIVERSITY SUSPENSION
The immediate removal of the privilege to attend Gallaudet University for some
specihc 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 dehnition 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 hnancial assistance is received. As part of the sanction, suspension
does not result in a prorated room refund according to regular University policy.
DEFERRED UNIVERSITY SUSPENSION
A suspension that becomes effective after a specihed date. This action is
appropriate near the end of a semester to avoid hnancial and housing hardships
that an immediate suspension often entails.
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.
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.
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.
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 fulhlling the students community service requirements for graduation. If
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student or student organization does not complete the community service
assignment by the assigned completion date, a charge of non-compliance of a
University decision will result.
A student's disciplinary history and prior record may be considered a factor for more sanctions,
if approriate. for more severe sanctions, if appropriate.
HEARING PROCEDURES FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS:
The discipline of student organizations is incorporated into the general Student Code of Conduct
of Gallaudet University and operates according to rules of that system. Any member of the
University community may hle charges against an organization for misconduct. Charges should
be prepared in writing and directed to the Coordinator of Student Conduct. Any charge should
be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place.
The Coordinator of Student Conduct may conduct an investigation to decide whether a formal
charge will be brought against the organization. The Coordinator of Student Conduct may
refuse to grant hearings on complaints about incidents that occurred at a time to distant from
the date of the hling of charges or when information or testimony is too vague.
The following procedural guidelines are established for the direction of all persons
and boards conducting formal hearings on disciplinary complaints against an
organization at Gallaudet University.
The organization will be notihed by the Coordinator of Student Conduct that a disciplinary
complaint has been hled. The president/chair of an organization and/or his/her designee shall
represent the organization in any proceedings involving alleged violations of the Student Code
of Conduct by the organization.
An appointment for a pre-hearing meeting with the Coordinator of Student Conduct must be
made no later than hve working days after the letter is received. If a meeting with the
Coordinator of Student Conduct is not arranged within hve working days after receipt of the
letter, or if the organization fails to show up at the scheduled pre-hearing meeting, information
in support of the charge(s) will be presented and considered.
The Coordinator of Student Conduct may conduct an investigation to determine if the charges
have merit and/or if they can be disposed of through a mediation committee established for this
purpose on a basis acceptable to the Coordinator of Student Conduct. The mediation committee
will be chaired by a staff or faculty member selected by the Coordinator of Student Conduct. If
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the charges are disposed of by mutual consent through the mediation committee, such
disposition shall be hnal, and there shall be no subsequent proceedings. If the charges cannot
be disposed of by mutual consent, the charges will be handled by the Student Conduct Board or
Coordinator of Student Conduct. The Coordinator of Student Conduct, if present at the
mediation committee, may later serve in the same manner as a non-voting member of the
Student Conduct Board in a hearing.
The organization shall be informed by the Coordinator of Student Conduct, in cases where a
complaint appears to represent substantial misconduct, of two possible ways to handle the
case: 1) appear at a scheduled hearing and present its case before the Student Conduct Board;
or 2) Accept responsibility for the violation(s) as charged, waive the right to a hearing and
present witnesses on your behalf and accept sanctions imposed by the Coordinator of Student
Conduct. In the event of scheduling difhculties or special circumstances, the complaint may be
heard and action decided by an Administrative Student Conduct Board.
The president/chair of the organization and/or his/her designee may appear in person and
present relevant information to the Coordinator of Student Conduct or the Board, and may call
witnesses. The designated representatives are responsible for presenting their cases and will
have the opportunity to hear and question all participants at the hearing. Should the designated
representatives of the organization elect not to appear at the hearing, it shall be held in their
absence. The failure of an organization to appear may be a factor considered.
The designated representatives of the organization may be accompanied by an advisor (the
advisor shall be a member of the full-time faculty, staff, or student body of Gallaudet University,
but not a lawyer). The role of advisors shall be limited to consultation with the complainant or
respondent; advisors may not address the Board or question hearing participants. Violations of
this limitation will result in the advisor being removed from the hearing at the discretion of the
Coordinator of Student Conduct.
The organization may remain silent to preserve the right against self-incrimination. In such
cases, other available information will be considered.
Formal rules of evidence shall not be applicable to campus disciplinary hearings. Any
information or testimony the Board or hearing ofhcial believes to be relevant may be admitted.
After the hearing, the Student Conduct Board shall determine whether the organization is
responsible for the violation with which it is charged and will impose sanctions, if any, from the
range of sanctions applicable for student organizations. The organization shall be entitled to an
explanation of any decision. The Student Conduct Boards determination shall be made on the
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basis of whether it is more likely than not that the accused organization violated the Student
Code of Conduct. If the Student Conduct Board, Coordinator of Student Conduct, or the
mediation committee participants decide that a violation did occur, but the organization is not
responsible for the violation, the complainant may proceed with charges against individual(s)
through the Student Conduct program in accordance with guidelines in the Student Code of
Conduct.
If the Student Conduct Board, Coordinator of Student Conduct, or the mediation committee
participants decide that a violation did occur, but the organization is not responsible for the
violation, the complainant may proceed with charges against individual(s) through the Student
Conduct program in accordance with guidelines in the Student Code of Conduct.
The organization shall be informed of the right to appeal a decision. A decision or judgment
of the Student Conduct Board or hearing ofhcial may be appealed to the Executive Director of
Student Affairs. A decision or judgment of the Student Conduct Board or hearing ofhcial may be
appealed by either or both of the opposing parties upon the following grounds:
THE STUDENT CONDUCT BOARD HEARING WAS NOT
CONDUCTED FAIRLY AND IN CONFORMITY WITH PRESCRIBED
PROCEDURES, WHICH MADE IT UNFAIR.
New or newly discovered information that could not have been produced at the hearing. For the
Executive Director of Student Affairs to consider new information sufhcient to alter a decision,
or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing, such information and/or facts
must not have been known at the time of the original hearing by the appellant.
The decision is not supported by substantial information considering the record as a whole. That
is, the facts in the case were not sufhcient to establish that a violation of the Student Code of
Conduct occurred.
THE SANCTION IMPOSED WAS
EXCESSIVE OR INSUFFICIENT
AND NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE VIOLATION.
An appeal must be in writing, must indicate the basis of the appeal with an explanation, and
must be made within hve working days of the date the parties were notihed of the decision. In
an appeal case, action assessed by the initial Student Conduct Board or University ofhcial may
be held in suspense until acted upon in appeal, at the discretion of the Executive Director of
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Student Affairs or his/her designee. The Executive Director of Student Affairs or his/her
designee may afhrm, reverse, or modify the sanction originally assessed. The Coordinator of
Student Conduct shall convey pertinent information to the Executive Director of Student Affairs
or his/her designee. The decision of the Executive Director of Student Affairs or his/her
designee is hnal.
All Student Conduct hearings shall be closed to the public in order to protect the conhdential
nature of the proceedings.
Any Student Conduct Board member shall elect to abstain from participation in a hearing when
the member has a duality of interest in the case or a personal reason that precludes
participation without prejudice.
Because of the expenses it would incur, provision for written transcripts of campus disciplinary
hearings is not required.
Each Student Conduct Board, mediation committee, and/or Coordinator of Student Conduct
shall determine the rules of procedure in addition to those stated herein.
ORGANIZATION DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS:
If a Student Conduct Board or hearing ofhcial decides that a student organization should be
disciplined, the disciplinary action should be consistent with the severity of the offense.
Following are sanctions recognized by Gallaudet University; the Board or hearing ofhcial may
implement other sanctions instead of or in addition to those specihed below:
PERMANENT REVOCATION OF ORGANIZATIONAL
REGISTRATION
The organization shall not be represented on any student or University
organization, board, or committee. Ofhce or housing space assigned by the
University shall be vacated within ten (10) business days from the date the
notice of revocation is mailed. Space vacated due to this permanent revocation
may be reassigned by the University.
SUSPENSION
Denial of rights and privileges of a registered organization. Any organization
whose registration is suspended must cease all organizational activities upon
receiving this sanction. Any member of a suspended organization may not hold
an appointed or elected ofhce as a representative of the suspended
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organization in any other organization or committee for the duration of the
organizations period of suspension. The organization may be asked to vacate
ofhce or housing space assigned by the University. Ofhce or housing space
assigned prior to suspension will not automatically be reassigned. The
organization may reapply for space assignment, subject to availability.
Suspended organizations will automatically be placed on disciplinary probation for
a minimum of one academic year following their renewed registration and may be
subject to conditions and/or restrictions during the probationary status.
DISCIPLINARY PROBATION
A period of review and observation during which the student organization whose
conduct has been found wrongful will be granted the opportunity to prove that
it can uphold University rules and policies. Subsequent violations of University
rules, regulations, or policies could result in more severe sanctions. 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 the suspension of the organization.
During the probation period, the organization may be subject to one or any
combination of the following conditions and/or restrictions:
Denial of the right to represent the University. .
Denial of the right to maintain an ofhce or other .
assigned space on University property.
Denial of the privileges of: .
Receiving or retaining funding; .
Participating in intramurals; .
Sponsoring a social event; .
Sponsoring any speaker or guest on campus; .
Participating in a social event; .
Co-sponsoring any social event or other activity; .
Rush or membership recruitment; .
Eligibility for University awards or recognition; .
Representation on University and student .
committees, organizations, or boards.
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CONDITIONS
Limitations on a student organizations privileges for a period of time or an active
obligation to complete a specihed activity or activities. This sanction may include
the conditions or restrictions listed under the disciplinary probation sanction.
DISCIPLINARY REPRIMAND
Verbal warning or written notihcation to an organization that it has violated a
University rule, regulation, or policy and that subsequent wrongful conduct by the
organization will not be tolerated and may result in severe disciplinary sanctions.
RESTITUTION/FINES
Reimbursement for damage to, or misappropriation of property and/or
compensation for injury to an individual, group, or the University. This may take
the form of appropriate service or other compensation.
LOSS OF STUDENT PRIVILEGES
Limitations on a students privileges for a period of time. Principals (ofhcers, etc.)
may be prohibited from holding ofhce in any other organization, depending on
the severity of the negative leadership displayed. Students from a suspended or
revoked organization may also be prohibited from reforming a similar
organization under another name.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Work assignments may be a part of a disciplinary probation or may be imposed
as an independent sanction. If the student or student organization does not
complete the community service assignment by the assigned completion date, a
charge of non-compliance of a University decision will result. Such assignments
will be in addition to the community service requirements as set forth by the
student organization guidelines.
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