A. Individual:
The following sanctions may be imposed upon any individual student found responsible for violating the Code of Conduct:
- 1Expulsion: Permanent separation of the student from the University. The student will be barred from University premises. Any student who is expelled from the University is required to leave campus within the time specified by the Vice President for Student Life (VPSL), the Dean of Students (DOS) or designee (usually within 24 hours or less). When a decision involving expulsion from the University is appealed, a student may make a request to the DOS for permission to leave only their belongings in the residence hall until the conclusion of the appeal. A student who is expelled will be barred from campus property and, if found, subject to arrest for trespassing. Students who are expelled from the University are responsible for the total University charges. The University's refund policies regarding early withdrawal do not apply to students expelled for disciplinary reasons.
- 2Dismissal: Disciplinary dismissal is separation from the University with no promise that the student may return at any time. Disciplinary dismissal denies the privileges of registration, class attendance, activities, use of University facilities, and presence on University property. A student who has been dismissed is not eligible for readmission sooner than one year from the date of dismissal. Readmission shall be at the sole discretion of the Dean of Students.
Students who are dismissed must leave campus within 48 hours, or a period of time specified by the University, and may not return unless they have prior written permission from the DOS or designee. A student who is dismissed will be barred from campus property and, if found, subject to arrest for trespassing. Students who are dismissed from the University are responsible for the total University charges. The University’s refund policies regarding early withdrawal do not apply to students dismissed for disciplinary reasons. - 3Suspension: Separation of the student from the University for a specified period of time. The student shall not participate in any University-sponsored activity and will be barred from University premises. Suspension denies the privileges of registration, class attendance, activities, use of University facilities and presence on University property. Conditions for readmission may be established at the time of separation. Any student who is suspended from the University is required to leave campus within the time specified by the VPSL, DOS or designee (usually within 24 hours or less). When a decision involving suspension
from the University is appealed, a student may make a request to the DOS for permission to leave only their belongings in the residence hall until the conclusion of the appeal. A student who is suspended will be barred from campus property and, if found, subject to arrest for trespassing. Students who are suspended from the University are responsible for the total University charges. The University’s refund policies regarding early withdrawal do not apply to students suspended for disciplinary reasons. - Withholding Degree: Siena University reserves the right to withhold awarding a degree pending the completion of the process set forth in this Code of Conduct, including the completion of all sanctions imposed, if any.
- Revocation of Admission and/or Degree: Admission to or a degree awarded from Siena University may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, and/or criminal behavior that may place the University community at risk or other violations of the Siena Code of Conduct, or for other serious violations committed by a student.
- Disciplinary Probation: A probationary status with the University that removes the student from a position of good standing. Further violations of policy and/or violations of the terms of the probation may subject the student to immediate suspension or expulsion from the University. Students placed on disciplinary probation are not eligible to return early to housing or stay over breaks during the term of their probation. While on disciplinary probation the student may also be barred from:
- a. any or all extracurricular activities.
- b. participation in academic programs, such as study-abroad trips.
- c. areas on campus (including residential areas and facilities).
- d. areas on University property except as required by their class schedule.
- Suspension or Dismissal from Campus Housing: The student is required to remove himself/herself and all their belongings from the residence hall/townhouse. The student shall not reside in any residence facility. The student may also be restricted from visiting and/or attending any social/programming functions in any of the residence areas. This sanction may be temporary or permanent as specified at the time of adjudication. Any student who is suspended or dismissed from campus housing is required to leave the hall/townhouse and remove their belongings within the time specified. Students suspended or dismissed from campus housing are not eligible for any refund of the housing or meal plan fees for that contract period.
- Social/Residence Hall Probation: A probationary period for students, during which any additional violations of policy may result in immediate suspension, dismissal and/or restriction from campus housing areas. Commuting students may be restricted from entering the residential areas during the term of probation. Students placed on Residence Hall Probation are not eligible to return early to housing or stay over breaks during the term of their probation.
- Housing Relocation / Administrative Assignment: Administratively required relocation to another room and/or hall. Administrative assignment of room in lieu of Housing Selection participation.
- Restriction from Privileges: Loss of specified privileges for a defined period of time (restriction from residence facilities, restriction from campus on weekends, co-curricular activities, athletics participation, use of computing services, representing the University, participation in housing lottery, etc.).
- Student Reprimand: A formal written warning that a student has been in violation of a policy or regulation and that notice of such has been provided to the student.
- Warning: Written documentation that a student may have been in violation of a policy or regulation and that notice of such has been provided to the student. Any further violations will be handled more stringently.
- Substance Abuse Assessments: This includes, but is not limited to, substance abuse assessments or counseling through an off campus service provider. The student may be responsible for all costs of the assessment and/or counseling and must adhere to any treatment recommendations. Students must complete the assessment within the specified time frame.
- Problematic Behavior Assessment: This includes, but is not limited to, behavioral assessment or counseling sessions related to inappropriate conduct or violations of the Code of Conduct through the Counseling Center. The student must adhere to treatment recommendations and complete the assessment within the specified time frame.
- Alcohol and Other Drug Educational Sanctions: Alcohol and other drug assessment and educational dialogues designed to help students examine habits, behaviors and unhealthy coping strategies in an inclusive, supportive and affirming environment. This includes, but is not limited to, Alcohol Policy Review, online educational courses, reflection papers, BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for University Students), Safety and Risk Reduction Dialogues and Cannabis and Vaping Education.
- Restitution: Compensation for loss or damage. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.
- Fine: Monetary fee. Generally used to provide programming and/or educational opportunities to the community affected by misconduct.
- Parental Notification: The Office of the Dean of Students reserves the right to notify parents of students against whom disciplinary action has been taken, with a signed release from the student. In cases of alcohol and/or drug policy violations, the University reserves the right to notify (usually in writing) parents of students under 21 once the case has been adjudicated, regardless of whether the student signed a release form. The University reserves the right to contact parents and/or legal guardians without student consent in the case of health or safety emergencies. The University is allowed to notify parents without student consent in all instances permitted under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Dispute Resolution Agreement and/or Mediation: The University may offer students mediation or an alternative resolution agreement in cases where deemed appropriate by the designated University official.
- Discretionary Sanctions: Other sanctions that bear a reasonable relation to the violation for which the student has been sanctioned may be imposed instead of or in addition to those specified above. Discretionary sanctions include, but are not limited to, volunteer services hours, educational reflection assignments and participation in alcohol or drug awareness programs. Discretionary sanctions are administered only with the approval of the Vice-President of Student Life, Dean of Students and/or designee.
- Conduct Related Official Transcript Notations: As required by New York State Law 129-B, a notation will be added to the official Siena University transcript of students found responsible for a violation of the University’s Code of Conduct (Siena Life) that meets the definition of a crime of violence pursuant to the Federal Clery Act established in 20 U.S.C. 1092 (F) (1) (I)- (VII), and is sanctioned with suspension, dismissal or expulsion.
- Where the sanction is a suspension, the following notation will be listed: “Suspended after a finding of responsibility for a code of conduct violation”
- Where the sanction is a dismissal, the following notation will be listed: “Dismissed after a finding of responsibility for a code of conduct violation”
Students with the sanction of suspension or dismissal seeking removal of a transcript notation may submit a written appeal to the Office of the Dean of Students one year after the conclusion of their sanction. The notation shall not be removed prior to one year after the conclusion of their sanction. The Dean, in consultation with other University officials, will review and accept or deny the appeal. The student will be notified in writing and, if the appeal is granted, the notation will be removed within ten business days upon receipt of the appeal. - Where the sanction is an expulsion, the following notation will be listed: “Expelled after a finding of responsibility for a code of conduct violation”. This notation is permanent and cannot be removed.
For a student that withdraws from the University while such cases are pending and declines to complete the conduct process, the transcript will read: “Withdrew with conduct charges pending”. This notation will stand until the conduct process is complete.
In all cases, an administrative hold will be placed on the student’s record. The hold will prevent future registrations, distribution of transcripts and/or diplomas and may only be removed with permission of the Office of the Dean of Students.
- Third Party Notification: Specific on campus offices and programs have a need to know if a student member of that organization or program has been found responsible for a violation of the university’s code of conduct. It will be the responsibility of the Dean of Students Office to share the case resolution with the appropriate representatives of the program. These programs include: Athletics, HEOP, Bonner, ROTC, Community Living and Public Safety.
B. Group:
The following actions or sanctions may be imposed upon University-recognized, sponsored or sanctioned student groups, clubs, teams, residence hall floors, wings or townhouses, or other groups of students operating as a collective body as determined by the University. Sanctions may be imposed for violations of the Code of Conduct, guidelines as outlined in the Siena University Club and Organization Manual and/or university policy, including, but not limited to, hazing and discrimination and harassment policy violations.
- Group Expulsion: The expulsion of a student organization, club or team denotes the revocation of University recognition and all privileges thereof. An organization that is expelled is excluded from all University programs and services including, but not limited to: student government, funding, advertising the organization and/or displaying the organization name; the inability to participate in recruitment activities; or for organization members to hold positions related to their membership in the suspended organization (e.g., SEB, Student Senate, etc.).
- Group Suspension: The suspension of a student organization, club or team denotes the revocation of University recognition for a designated period of time and includes, but is not limited to, the loss of University recognition and all privileges thereof, including exclusion from all University programs and services, student government, funding, advertising the organization and/or displaying the organization name. Suspension also means that students are not allowed to participate in or sponsor any activities as an organization including recruitment activities. Organization members are not allowed to hold positions related to their membership in the suspended organization (e.g., Student Events Board, Student Senate, etc.). These conditions are in effect for the duration of the suspension. Any organization that violates its sanctions and/or conditions of suspension may be subject to the loss of University recognition.
- Temporary Group Suspension: The Vice President for Student Life, the Dean of Students or designee, Associate/Assistant Dean of Students, or other authorized University official as outlined by policy, guidelines, regulations, terms or conditions may impose an immediate temporary suspension of a student organization, club or team pending investigation and/or adjudication when the conduct of the group constitutes a possible threat to the safety, welfare and/or integrity of the University community.
Groups placed on temporary suspension may have all activities of the group canceled for the duration of the temporary suspension. During this time, funding may be frozen, the group may lose University recognition and all privileges thereof, including exclusion from all University programs and services, student government, funding, and advertising the organization and/or displaying the organization name. Exclusions also may include participating in or sponsoring any activities as an organization, including recruitment activities. - Group Disciplinary Action: University-recognized, sponsored or sanctioned student groups, clubs, teams, residence hall wings or floors, or townhouses or other groups of students operating as a collective body as determined by the University are subject to the disciplinary actions outlined in this Code and/or the club manual and may also be subject to the following or other penalties applied:
- a. Limitation of social and other organization privileges or programs
- b. Educational sanctions that include the removal or limitation of funding
- c. Probation
- d. Cancellation of housing license
- e. Suspension or expulsion if membership within the group is an element in the
violations of the Code of Conduct, the penalty may also include a limitation on
membership.
1 See Conduct Related Official Transcript Notations: Sanction#21, P.32
2 See Conduct Related Official Transcript Notations: Sanction#21, P.32
3 See Conduct Related Official Transcript Notations: Sanction#21, P.32