The purpose of disciplinary sanctions for violations of the Code is to educate students about responsible behavior as members of the Howard University Community, to maintain order and to protect the rights of others.
When students are found to be Responsible for violating the Code, they are required to abide by and comply with any and all rendered sanctions. The Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards (OSC) monitors such compliance. There is no set sanction for any particular offense, with the exception of automatic expulsion for a felony conviction. Each individual matter is evaluated separately and independently by the Hearing Officer/Hearing Panel and sanctions should reflect the nature and severity of each individual offense. However, in the event a student has previously been before a Hearing Officer or Hearing Panel for violations of the Code, while each individual matter will be evaluated independently, the sanctions imposed upon the student may be based upon the student’s entire record of past alleged and/or guilty behavior.
1. General Terms
A. Parents of minor or dependent students who receive a disciplinary sanction may be notified of that action by the University.
B. The University reserves the right to apply any sanction for a violation of the Code that, in its sole discretion, appropriately addresses the gravity and frequency of the offense. One or more sanctions may be imposed for any offense. Prior offenses are cumulative and any student found guilty of the same offense or a second offense of equal or greater magnitude, may be suspended or expelled from the University. However, evidence of prior violations of the Code may be considered after a determination of Responsible has been made as part of the process of determining sanctions.
C. Sanctions are imposed under the Code without regard to student classification, prospective graduation date, scholarship status, the time in the semester, the term in which the violation occurs, or any other factor.
D. Students who have not completely fulfilled their sanctions may be allowed to participate in General Mandatory Registration for the subsequent semester if all other financial and academic conditions have been met. However, their registration will be canceled if they fail to comply with all the stipulations of the sanctions within the time limit set forth in their hearing outcome notification.
E. The imposition of sanctions will be a matter of record maintained in the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards. Any and all violations of the Code can and will be reported to other colleges/universities, potential employers, professional licensing agencies or other appropriate entities when the University receives inquiries regarding any administrative actions taken against a student.
2. Types of Disciplinary Sanctions
One or more of the following sanctions may be imposed for any violation of the Code. Failure to perform or comply with a sanction, as directed, can lead to the imposition of more severe sanctions, up to and including suspension or expulsion.
The identified sanctions do not represent the full range of sanctions that may be imposed against a student found responsible for a violation of the Code.
A. Disciplinary Warning or Reprimand
A disciplinary warning or reprimand is an official written statement of censure. It is used when a student’s behavior is unacceptable but is considered to be minor and/or unintended. This sanction includes a warning that if the student is found guilty of any other violation of the University’s Code, they will be subject to more severe disciplinary action.
B. Letter of Apology to the Aggrieved Party
A student may be required to write a letter of apology to the aggrieved party. A draft copy of the letter must be provided to the Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards for final approval, prior to submission to the Complainant(s).
C. Requirement to Seek Counseling
This sanction may be imposed when a student is found guilty of engaging in disruptive or uncivil behaviors as well as behavior that may cause him/her to be a threat to self or others. In such cases, the student shall be required to provide evidence of attendance and completion of counseling by a qualified professional to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs.
D. Participation In, or Conducting, Special Workshops, Classes or Seminars
A student may be required to participate in, or to develop, advertise and present special workshops or seminars related to a Code violation. In such cases, the student may be required to present a typed summary of the activity to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs for final approval, prior to conducting such activities.
E. Research Assignments
A student may be required to complete a research assignment on a topic related to the Code violation within a specified deadline.
F. Mandatory University or Community Service
A student may be required to perform work assignments at the University or in the local community.
G. Restitution
Restitution is reimbursement to compensate for personal injury, property damage, or misappropriation of university or other personal property. It may be in the form of money or services, subject to the discretion of the Hearing Officer and/or the Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards.
H. Disciplinary Probation
Disciplinary Probation may be imposed for a specified period of time, not to exceed two (2) years. A student who is under disciplinary probation wi; not be permitted to participate in any extracurricular activity, including intramural, intercollegiate or club sports, student clubs, fraternities, sororities, social groups and any other organization that is not directly linked to receiving a grade in a particular course. A student on disciplinary probation is prohibited from representing the University in any public function, competition, or performance, hold office in a student organization, or be eligible to join a fraternity or sorority.
Students receiving scholarships for any activities enumerated above may have that scholarship suspended, terminated or revoked. Decisions regarding scholarship suspension, termination or revocation will be made by the Vice President for Student Affairs, after consultation with the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and other appropriate University officials.
I. Limited Term Suspension
Suspension is appropriate in cases of serious misconduct or in cases when a student has violated a condition of disciplinary probation or failed to meet the stipulations of lesser sanctions. A student may be suspended from the University for (1) the remainder of the semester or summer session during which the sanction is applied, or any portion thereof; (2) the next semester; or (3) any other additional periods determined appropriate by the University. In the event of a limited-term suspension, tuition and fees will be forfeited if the violation occurs after the refund period as recorded on the University Calendar.
Suspensions are recorded on the student’s permanent record (official transcript). Students suspended from the University are required to immediately return all University property, including, but not limited to, their student identification cards, room keys and other University property. Suspended students will also be barred from the campus for the duration of their suspension. Exceptions may be granted to this prohibition by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, if it is determined that the barred student must enter University property for the purpose of conducting official business. If a student returns to the campus without permission during the period of suspension, their eligibility to be re-admitted to Howard University is jeopardized and such persons may also be charged with unlawful entry and, thereby, made subject to arrest.
J. Indefinite Suspension
Indefinite suspension includes all conditions described in Limited Term Suspensions above, and an inability to be considered for readmission to the University for a two (2) year period following the suspension. This sanction is used in cases of extremely serious misconduct. Prior to being granted readmission, any student subject to indefinite suspension must present evidence of rehabilitation to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Upon consideration, the Vice President for Student Affairs shall have sole discretion regarding whether readmission to the University will be granted.
K. Expulsion
Expulsion is the most severe sanction that the University may impose. Expulsion is permanent dismissal from the University. In addition, the student is never eligible for readmission to the University and is permanently barred from Howard University owned and/or operated property and from all University-sponsored events. Students expelled from the University are immediately required to return any and all University property, including, but not limited to, any student identification cards, room keys, and other University property and must leave campus immediately upon notification of being expelled. If an expelled student returns to the campus, he or she will be charged with unlawful entry and may be arrested. An expelled student’s relationship with the University is severed permanently.