Basis for Findings

All determinations of “responsible” or “not responsible” within the Student Conduct Process are based upon a preponderance of the evidence standard (“more likely than not”). In Conduct Board Hearings, a simple majority vote is required to make a decision of responsible or not responsible.

Notification of Hearing Findings

Generally, the Respondent will be sent written notification of the hearing findings and, when applicable, sanctions assigned as a result of a hearing within seven business days after a hearing.

In a case involving a crime of violence that has been addressed under a Student Conduct Process (i.e., not a crime that would fall under the College’s Policy Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment & Sexual Violence), the Complainant or impacted party will also be informed of the hearing findings and/or sanctions assigned on the Respondent in accordance of applicable law at the time the Respondent is informed.

At the discretion of the Associate Dean for Campus Life or designee, and to the extent permitted by FERPA, a parent, guardian, or family member may be notified of a Community Standards violation and correlating sanction under the following circumstances: alcohol and other drug violations; and/or when a student’s College enrollment or housing status is in jeopardy, suspended, or dismissed.

Sanctions

Sanctions serve an important role in shaping a safe and positive community, while also holding a student accountable for their violations. Through the sanctions process, a sanctioning body (i.e. a Hearing Officer, Conduct Board, Resolution Panel, Assistant Dean for Campus Life or designee, or Sexual Misconduct Sanctions Panel) identifies and implements measures intended to stop, redress, and prevent future violations of the College’s Community Standards. Sanctions are designed to restore safe and positive environments, deter repeat violations, assist those impacted by the misconduct, reaffirm community expectations, and provide educational and reflective opportunities for students. A description of many of the College’s sanctions can be found in the Sanction Definitions.

The list of sanctions listed in the Sanction Definitions is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but provide a guide of the sanctions that a sanctioning body may assign any student or student organization that has been found responsible for a violation(s) of the College’s policies. Sanctions can be combined based on the nature and gravity of the violations for which a student is found responsible. Sanctions assigned by the College are additive and cumulative, thus, future violations of the College’s policies can result in more significant sanctions. The sanctioning body will review and take into account a student’s disciplinary history when identifying sanctions. 

When a sanction is assigned a student, it is the responsibility of the student to comply with the sanction(s) and/or complete the sanction(s) by the date assigned. Students that fail to abide by the sanction(s) and/or complete the sanction(s) as assigned are subject to additional disciplinary action that will include, but is not limited to, a hold on one’s College account and/or monetary fees.

Sanctions Examples

See below for a list of sanctions:

Verbal Warning

A sanction that is stated directly to the student during a Community Standards meeting, that highlights that the continuation or repetition of the behavior in question may be cause for additional disciplinary action.

Formal Warning

Written letter that serves as formal written documentation for a violation. Additional behavior and/or repetitive behavior that violates Emerson's Community Standards will result in additional disciplinary action.

Bring Your Own Conversation (BYOC)

An interactive, peer facilitated course designed to assist students in understanding the risks associated with alcohol consumption and the impact this substance can have on their college experience. More information can be found at emerson.edu/EducationClasses. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Let’s Be Blunt

An interactive, peer facilitated course designed to assist students in understanding the risks associated with marijuana consumption and the impact this substance can have on their college experience. More information can be found at emerson.edu/EducationClasses. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Substance Use Assessment

A meeting with a licensed mental health counselor or substance use educator that provides a student a safe, confidential space to explore their alcohol and/or other drug use and its potential impacts. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Reflection Paper

A paper providing a student with the opportunity to share their thoughts or address questions posed by the sanctioning body. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Academic Misconduct Notice

A written notice indicating that the student has been found in violation of College policy associated with academic misconduct. A student issued an Academic Misconduct Notice is subject to suspension or dismissal from the College if found in violation for a subsequent act of academic misconduct. Students do remain in good conduct standing when issued an Academic Misconduct Notice. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Housing Probation

A designated period of time in which: (1) students are ineligible to arrive early or stay late in campus housing and/or use campus vacation housing; (2) a residential student’s privilege to host guests in their residence hall is suspended; (3) a non-residential student’s privilege to visit the residence halls is prohibited; (4) a residential student will likely be suspended or dismissed from College housing should they be found in violation of a College’s Community Standards during the Housing Probation period. During this period, a student is considered in good conduct standing with the College. The sanctioning body will determine the length of the Housing Probation and has the discretion to assign additional conditions and/or restrictions to the Housing Probation status. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

College Probation

This is a designated period of time when a student is not in good conduct standing with the College. College probation may be imposed either with or without restrictions; it does not automatically impose additional restrictions. This time period is not recorded on the transcript, but may limit a student's opportunities as determined by that program or office (i.e., you cannot serve in the Resident Assistant role while on College Probation.) 

Loss or Restriction of Privileges or Activities 

The loss withdrawal of the use of services or privileges as a student or member of the community, or the loss of the privilege to participate in an activity or event. Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Restriction from holding positions of leadership in College recognized student groups, clubs and/or organization or from being hired by some College departments to serve in leadership roles (i.e. Orientation Leader);
  • Restriction from attendance at College events or activities;
  • Restriction on use of College resources;
  • Restriction on entry or access to particular locations, premises, or events;
  • Restriction on ability to study abroad, including but not limited to Emerson Los Angeles and Kasteel Well, and other study abroad sites.
  • Restriction on Guest Privileges: A student’s privileges with respect to hosting guests in a residential facility may be restricted or revoked for a specified period of time.

Restitution

Monetary payments charged to a student’s account because of damage to persons or property, or misappropriation of property. 

Non-Academic Suspension

A designated period of time during which a student may attend only classes and other academic activities. This is a designated period of time when a student is considered not in good conduct standing with the College. Academic activities will be defined by the Office of Community Standards in communication with academic deans, or the Provost, as applicable.

Housing Relocation

Loss of the privilege of remaining in current housing assignment and required to relocate to other housing assignment on campus.

Suspension from College Housing

Loss of the privilege of living in campus housing or campus affiliated housing. Students will need to reapply for College housing at the conclusion of the suspension period and upon completion of any conditions for return prescribed by the sanctioning body. A Suspension from College Housing is applicable to any campus-owned or -leased residences wherever located, including at all external programs. Those who fail to comply with any Suspension from College Housing conditions are considered trespassers and are subject to additional disciplinary action.

Dismissal from College Housing

Loss of the privilege to live in any College housing. Dismissal from College housing is a permanent removal from housing and the student may not reapply for residency. A Dismissal from College Housing is applicable to any campus-owned or -leased residences wherever located, including at all external programs. Failure to comply with any Dismissal from College Housing conditions are considered trespassers and are subject to additional disciplinary action and/or arrest.

Restriction of External Program Privileges

Indicates that a student is no longer eligible to participate in any External Program for a defined period of time.  As a condition of the Restriction of External Program Privileges, students are not permitted to visit any external program location without written authorization from the Office of Community Standards. Students will be eligible to reapply for reinstatement of External Program privileges upon conclusion of the restriction period and upon completion of any conditions for reinstatement prescribed by the sanctioning body. Those who fail to comply with this sanction can result in additional disciplinary action which can include permanent loss of a student’s External Program privileges. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Permanent Loss of External Program Privileges

Indicates that a student is no longer eligible to participate in any External Program for the duration of your time at Emerson College. As a condition of Permanent Loss of External Program Privileges a student is not permitted to visit any External Program location without written authorization from the Office of Community Standards. Failure to comply with the conditions of this sanction are subject to additional disciplinary action and/or arrest. This sanction will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

Suspension from the College

Defined period of time that a student cannot attend Emerson College or be present on Emerson College–owned or –leased property or at an Emerson-sponsored event. Students will be eligible to reapply to the College at the conclusion of the suspension period and upon completion of any conditions for return prescribed by the sanctioning body. Failure to comply with the suspension conditions are considered trespassers and are subject to additional disciplinary action and/or arrest. During the suspension period, a student is not considered in good conduct standing with the College. This sanction will be notated on a student’s transcript.

Dismissal from the College

Requires that the student completely sever any connection with Emerson College. The student is not considered in good conduct standing, may not reapply for admission, and may not be present on Emerson College–owned or –leased property or at an Emerson-sponsored event. Failure to comply with the dismissal conditions are considered trespassers and are subject to arrest. This sanction will be notated on a student’s transcript.

Other Appropriate Alternatives and Outcome Information

These may include, but are not limited to, assignment of educational projects, referral to other offices or departments guidance, letters of apology, specialized restorative projects, additional restriction of College privileges including but not limited to the restriction from College facilities or programs. These sanctions will not be notated on a student’s transcript.

  1. Room, Board, and Tuition Refunds: Students required to leave the residence halls and/or the campus as a result of disciplinary action will not be eligible for a refund of tuition, housing, board, or other charges regardless of date of removal.
  2. Delay in Awarding Degrees: The College reserves the right to delay the awarding of any degree in instances in which a complaint remains pending against a student.
  3. Withholding Awarding Degrees: The College reserves the right to withhold the awarding of any degree for academic and non-academic misconduct.
  4. Degree Revocation: The College reserves the right to revoke a person’s degree if the sanction that is assigned would have caused the student to be ineligible to receive the degree at that time of the incident. 
  5. Common Sanctions: There are common sanctions that correspond with certain violations of the Code of Community Standards. Common sanctions for violations of the Academic Misconduct Policy are detailed in Academic Misconduct Policy and common sanctions for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy are detailed in the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy.