Sanctions

Sanctions are consequences assigned to students who have been found responsible for violating the Student Code.  Sanctioning is a highly individualized stage in the conduct process with the intention to be educational and with respect to the interests the University community. Sanctions are increasingly progressive across all policies in the Code of Conduct; therefore, careful review of numerous factors and circumstances are taken into account to ensure outcomes are reasonable and proportionate to the severity of the behavior. This will likely include mitigating, aggravating and compounding factors, cumulative violations, a student’s prior misconduct, patterns of behavior, the role of precedent, and harm caused to others.  

Sanctioning Process

When a student has been charged with alleged violations of the Student Code, they will also be informed of the possible sanctions they are facing. At the time of this initial notice, the sanctions are not official.

During the conduct process, the student will have an opportunity to discuss and agree/disagree with the sanctions. The possible sanctions may be modified (added to/removed) throughout the conduct process, as information becomes available and is discussed. A decision maker (single conduct/hearing officer or a hearing panel) will make the final decision on sanctions at the resolution of the conduct process. The student will be notified of their assigned sanctions, with descriptions and instructions on how to complete, in a written outcome letter.

Sanction Types & Descriptions

An official written notification indicating that a student’s behavior is inconsistent with established behavioral expectations for members of the university community. A University Warning is maintained in the student’s disciplinary file for one academic year and would serve as a basis for progressive sanctioning should subsequent misconduct occur, including being counted as a strike under the University’s Three-Strike Policy.

Sanctions that provide an opportunity for educational and reflection, or repairing harm done. Possibilities include, but are not limited to: writing reflection papers, preparing bulletin boards, write an apology letter, having an educational conversation with faculty or staff, or attending free programs or events.

Previously established and published fines that may be imposed. Fines are commonly associated with alcohol/drug offenses, leaving trash in hallways/public areas, and late fines (not completing sanctions by deadlines).

Denial of specified privileges for a designated period, including but not limited to, participation in University athlet­ics, membership in recognized student organizations, use of specified University facilities, and no contact directives.

Compensation for loss, damage or injury. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.

Formal notice that the student is not in good standing with Residential Life and/or Housing. Housing probation is typically assigned in situations where behavior has been detrimental to the on-campus residential community for a period of time to allow residential students to reflect upon their actions and demonstrate the ability to abide by housing community standards and expectations. Additional residentially based violations of the Student Code of Conduct while on Housing Probation may impact a student’s eligibility to participate in the housing lottery process, residential sponsored programs or services, serve in leadership positions or result in housing relocation or contract termination.

Separation from University housing for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified.

Permanent separation from University housing with no opportunity for readmission. 

Separation of the respondent from the University for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified. Students are banned from campus for the duration of their suspension. Readmission to the University requires application and acceptance through the Office of Admissions.

A respondent ineligible to register for or attend classes at any one USNH institution because of suspension entered upon a finding(s) of responsibility for violation(s) of the institution’s Student Code of Conduct shall be ineligible to register for or attend classes at any other USNH institution during the entire period of suspension. Students on suspension for any reason will not earn transfer credit for courses taken while on suspension for the first full semester of their suspension. The Director, in collaboration with the Registrar, will authorize the conferral of degree at the end of a period of suspension upon students who have completed their coursework and would graduate during a period of suspension.

Permanent separation from the University, including a permanent ban from campus. Students may conduct administrative business on campus with prior notice to University Police.

A respondent ineligible to register for or attend classes at any one USNH institution because of permanent dismissal entered upon a finding(s) of responsibility for violation(s) of the institution’s student code of conduct shall be ineligible to register for or attend classes at any other USNH institution for a period of two (2) years following the date on which the student was permanently dismissed.