.01
Standards of Personal Conduct
Each
student is expected to adhere to established standards of behavior for
members within the university community. Students must abide by all
federal and local laws as well as by all policies and regulations of
American University. The university's primary policy which describes
the rights and responsibilities for student conduct is the Student Conduct
Code which is published annually in the Student Handbook by Student
Services and available in the Office of the Dean of Students. By registering
for classes or enrolling at American University, all students acknowledge
their awareness of and agreement to adhere to the Student Conduct Code.
For details concerning specific rights and responsibilities, the Student
Conduct Code should be consulted.
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.02
Disciplinary Actions
A.
Distinction between Actions for Disciplinary Reasons and for Inadequate
Academic Performance
1.
It is to be understood that the suspension and dismissal actions described
here are limited to cases involving violations of university regulations
and standards of personal conduct and are not to be confused with actions
taken as a result of failure to maintain the required grade point average
(see Academic Regulations 25.10.12, 55.00.02.H, and 55.00.11) or because
of academic integrity offenses (see 80.00.00 Academic Integrity Code).
2.
Disciplinary action may result in sanctions which include warnings,
censures, restrictions on social and other activities, disciplinary
probation, fines, assessments for damages to university property, community
projects, removal from university housing, suspension, and dismissal
from the university.
B.
Disciplinary Probation
Status, assigned
for a designated period of time, during which any other violation of the
Code may result in removal from university housing, suspension, or dismissal
from the university. Students on disciplinary probation may not hold or
run for any elected or appointed positions. Additional conditions appropriate
to the violation may be imposed.
Senate action and Provost approval, May 2002. Effective June 1, 2002.
C.
Suspension and Dismissal
The
decision as to which of these actions is appropriate in a given instance
will necessarily depend on the significant mitigating or aggravating
factors of the case, including the present demeanor and past disciplinary
record of the offender, the nature of the offense, and the severity
of any damage, injury, or harm resulting from it.
1.
Suspension is effective for not less than the session in which action
is taken or for not more than one calendar year, and the length of a
suspension is to be specified precisely at the time the action is taken.
This action is permanently recorded on the student’s academic transcript.
A student who is suspended is ordinarily entitled to resume studies
in the same college or school at the conclusion of the period of suspension
provided he or she has satisfied all requirements which were imposed
and provided both the dean of the student's college or school and the
Dean of Students have agreed that the student may be permitted to return
to active status.
2.
Dismissal is a penalty invoked in cases of serious infraction of rules
and regulations, and when circumstances indicate that a student's association
with the university should be terminated in the interests of maintaining
the standards of behavior and conduct normally expected in a university
community. Dismissal results in permanent termination of student status
and exclusion from university premises, privileges, and activities.
This action is permanently recorded on the student’s academic transcript.
D.
Authority for Student Discipline
Ultimate
authority for all university policy is vested in the Board of Trustees
of American University. Nonacademic disciplinary authority has been
delegated to the Vice President of Student Services, who may implement
student conduct policies and take all necessary and appropriate action
to protect the safety and well-being of the campus community. In cases
where there is a combination of alleged violations of academic and non-academic
regulations, students will be subject to both the Student Conduct Code
and the Academic Integrity Code.
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.03
Cooperation with Law Enforcement Agencies in Student Cases
A.
The university does not take disciplinary action simply because a student
is in difficulties with law enforcement agencies unless infractions
of university regulations are also involved. A student who is required
to be absent from classes for such a reason cannot expect any special
academic or financial consideration to be given by the university.
B.
Violations of university regulations which are also violations of the
law will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency as necessary,
or as required by law and the practice of government law enforcement
agencies.
C.
Members of the faculty and staff to whom inquiries are directed about
students or their records by law enforcement or government agencies
are requested to refer the inquirers to the appropriate office (i.e.,
disciplinary records investigations should be directed to Judicial Affairs
and Mediation Services; academic records investigations should be directed
to the Office of the Registrar). See Academic Regulation 90.10.00 Confidentiality
of Student Records.
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.04
Records of Disciplinary Actions
A.
Ordinarily a student subject to suspension or dismissal will not receive
grades for courses in which he or she is enrolled in the session during
which the action is taken. If course work has been completed, then grades
will be entered and stand on the record, but the student's academic
dean, after appropriate consultation with the Dean of Students, will
make the decision as to whether or not the student may receive the credit
for these courses and will inform the University Registrar in writing
of the decision.
B.
At the time a disciplinary action is taken, the Dean of Students or
his or her designate will advise the University Registrar in writing
as to the effective dates of the action and as to the exact wording
of the notation about the action which is to be made on the student's
permanent academic record. The University Registrar is not authorized
to change entries after they have been made. The notation should read
as follows: Suspended, or Dismissed, for disciplinary reasons (semester
and year for which the action accrues). The notation may not be changed
at a later date.
Senate
action, April 1999. Provost approval, July 1999. Effective: fall 1998.
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