Sanctions

Types of Sanctions
Range of Sanctions Assigned
Guidelines for Assignment of Sanctions

Types of Sanctions

Any student found responsible for violating any of the regulations or policies of JMU may be subject to one or more of the following sanctions.

Disciplinary Probation

The university reserves the right to impose a more severe sanction if the student is found responsible for violating an additional university policy. Probation shall be for a specified period of time, for a minimum of one semester.

If a student is found responsible for any additional policy violations, while on disciplinary probation, their sanctions could be more severe.

• Students' judicial records are not reflected on academic records or transcripts.
• Students who have been found responsible for policy violations should indicate that they have a university disciplinary record when completing applications, or background checks.
• Judicial records are protected; students must provide the Office of Judicial Affairs permission to disclose their records to those conducting application processes or background checks. In such circumstances, the Office of Judicial Affairs will disclose the charge(s) and final disposition(s) of all records.

Substance Education

By the Numbers

This two-hour program examines the reason for the establishment of community standards. An overview of VA laws and university policies is given. Students discuss personal values, community resources, and risk-reduction strategies for avoiding negative consequences of alcohol use. This short course was designed for minor alcohol violations. A $50 fee will be due upon completion of the program and receipt of invoice.

Calling the Shots

This three-week program guides students towards making future decisions more consistent with their values and in compliance with the law. Harrisonburg and/or JMU police participate in this program to answer students' questions and address risk-reduction strategies. This program was designed for students who violated alcohol policy. A $50 fee will be due upon completion of the program and receipt of invoice.

BASICS

The University Health Center’s Substance Abuse Prevention Office coordinates BASICS - Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students.  The BASICS program is comprised of two 50-minute interview sessions.  The first session retrieves information from the student about his/her substance use, using a self assessment instrument.  The second session is a feedback session designed to help the student assess his/her own behavior and potential risks, identify potential changes, and help reduce future problems related to substance abuse.  A $50 fee will be due upon completion of the program and receipt of invoice.

High Expectations

The University Health Center’s Substance Abuse Prevention Office coordinates High Expectations. The program is comprised of two 50-minute interviews.  The first meeting retrieves information from the student about his/her marijuana or other drug use, using a self assessment instrument.  The second meeting is a feedback session designed to help the student assess his/her own behavior and potential risks, identify potential changes, and help reduce future problems related to marijuana or other drug use. A $50 fee will be due upon completion of the program and receipt of invoice.

Civic Education

Mentor Experience

This program is used for students who have violated university policy and lack a personal understanding of their mission, values, and goals. Through participation in one-on-one meetings with a faculty, staff, or graduate student mentor, students develop a relationship of mutual respect and trust. The Mentor Experience includes attendance at 8, 10, 12, or 15 weekly mentor meetings and submission of a final reflection paper.

Site Experience

This program is used for students who have violated university policy and have a lack of connection with the university community. Through participation in 30 site hours, students make a connection with the university and recognize the impact they have on the community. The Site Experience includes attendance at reflection group meetings and submission of a final reflection paper.

Values in Action

This interactive workshop encourages participants to explore their personal values, act with integrity, and practice ethical decision-making. In addition, students are challenged to set personal goals for increased positive community engagement. This program was designed for students whose actions in a particular incident may not have been in line with their personal values or the values of the institution. A $50 fee will be due upon completion of the program and receipt of invoice.

Conversations about Conflict

Conversations about Conflict is a 3-week, 6 hour total program, for students to reflect on how they deal with conflict in their relationships with friends, roommates, family members, professors, university staff, strangers, and even themselves. Through this class, students will be given the opportunity to assess their own conflict style, discuss how their community is impacted by conflict, and develop skills for future engagement in conflict. Upon completion of the class students submit a reflection paper and participate in a follow-up discussion. A $50 fee will be due upon completion of the program and receipt of invoice.

Anger Management

Students are referred to the Counseling and Student Development Center for this program. For more information, please visit the website that discusses this program.

Restitution

Reimbursement by the student to the university or a member of the university community shall cover the cost of damage or loss of community or personal property.

CSDC Administrative Request

Students are referred to the Counseling and Student Development Center for 2 intake appointments with the Associate Director or the designee.  This is not sanctioning counseling, but only asking the student to work with CSDC for appointments to see if it could be helpful in the future.

Suspension from University Housing

The student loses the privilege of living in or visiting anyone in university housing for a specified length of time. Afterward, the student is allowed to reapply for university housing, provided there is space available.

Expulsion from University Housing

The student permanently loses the privilege of living in or visiting anyone in university housing.

Special Assignments/Restrictions

In certain cases, special assignments, loss of privileges or loss of eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities may be imposed.

The hearing officer may mandate “No direct or indirect contact” with the victim(s) of the violation(s). This includes but is not limited to contact in person or through electronic means or a third party. Violation of this sanction will result in an additional charge of “Failure to Comply with a Disciplinary Decision.” Repeated violations of university policy may result in suspension.

University departments may consider judicial history for the purpose of university employment or for admissions into supplemental learning opportunities, such as studies abroad.

Suspension

The student is dismissed from JMU for a specified length of time, after which he or she is allowed to return to the university. A suspended student may not visit the campus without the permission of the Office of Judicial Affairs. If the student does come to the campus, s/he will be subject to arrest for trespassing.

See also: Leaving and Returning to the University and Interim Suspension.

Expulsion

The student loses the privilege of attending JMU as a student and is permanently separated from the university. A student who is expelled may not visit the campus without the permission of the Office of Judicial Affairs. If the student does come to the campus, s/he will be subject to arrest for trespassing.

Fines

Fines shall be no less than $15 and no greater than $100, depending on the severity of the infraction. All payments are to be made to the University Business Office in Warren Hall upon receipt of invoice.

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Range of Sanctions Assigned

The Office of Judicial Affairs, the University Judicial Council or the University Hearing Officer may assign any sanction or sanctions listed in the Types of Sanctions section of the student handbook.

A minor violation board or student judicial coordinator may only assign any of the following sanctions:

• Disciplinary probation
• Substance Education programs
  • By the Numbers
  • Calling the Shots
  • BASICS
  • High Expectations
• Civic Education programs
  • Mentor Experience
  • Site Experience
  • Values in Action
• Conversations about Conflict
• Anger Management
• Restitution
• Special assignments
• Fines

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Guidelines for Assignment of Sanctions

• Students found responsible for three minor alcohol violations may be suspended. Students found responsible for two major violations may be suspended.
  
  
• Students found responsible for three minor drug violations may be suspended for a minimum of one semester. Students found responsible for the distribution of a controlled substance - disciplinary probation and suspension for a minimum of one semester
  
  
• Other offenses resulting in suspension or expulsion may include but are not limited to repeated violations, serious acts of vandalism, possession of weapons, failure to comply with a disciplinary decision, or interference with the Judicial or Honor Council process.
  
  
• When applicable, disciplinary decisions made by the university honor council and an administrative hearing officer or judicial board will occur concurrently.

To maintain fairness and uniformity in the assignment of sanctions for certain first-time offenses, the following guidelines have been established: