Sanctions
When determining appropriate sanctions, the disciplinary body will consider the following: willingness to accept responsibility for one's behavior, previous student conduct history, severity of the situation, and any recommendations made by the complainant or victim.
If you are present for policy violations, you may be held responsible and appropriate sanctions will be imposed.
Sanction Definitions
Notice of Policy Violation-Given to inform the student that a specific behavior does not meet minimum expectations for residence hall living. It is generally imposed following isolated and less serious incidents of misconduct or contract violations. (It is not imposed for a specific length of time, but further misconduct may lead to other sanctions.)
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Educational Contract and Community Service Contract-Examples include research of a specific topic, designing and/or presenting community awareness programs, hall presentations, bulletin boards, or making restitution for damages through restorative work.
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Behavioral Contract-A document that stipulates specific behavioral expectations and consequences for failure to adhere to those expectations.
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Fines-Fines ranging from $10 to $100 will be imposed for certain policy violations. Any fines imposed will be assessed to your WVU student account. Fines not paid may result in a student not being able to register for classes. Note: During the last two weeks of each semester fines will be doubled. Noise violations will result in a $50 fine.
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Restitution-Compensation for loss, damage, etc., which may include monetary or property replacement or performing an appropriate community service.
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Referral-A judgment which incorporates the assistance of the Counseling Center, Student Assistance Program, University Advising Center, University Learning Centers, Student Life, or other offices, as appropriate to the individual circumstances of the accused student.
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Suspension of Privileges-A resident may lose residence hall privileges. This includes but is not limited to loss of visitation, (computer) network access, sports equipment, speakers, and dining privileges.
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Residence Hall Probation-A resident student is not considered in good standing within the residence hall program. Any further violation may lead to more serious disciplinary sanctions. This sanction will be imposed, minimally, until the end of the academic year.
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Deferred Removal-Stipulation that subsequent disturbances to the residence hall community will generally result in removal from all University-supervised housing (requires adherence to conditions of a behavioral contract to remain in the residence halls). Students receiving this sanction are required to see their Resident Faculty Leader within one week upon receipt of their decision letter. Decisions of this nature are shared directly with parents through a letter or telephone call. This sanction will be imposed, minimally, until the end of the academic year.
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Residence Hall Reassignment-A mandatory change of room assignment within the University-supervised residence halls for inappropriate behavior in the living environment. Further behavior will generally result in more serious disciplinary action. Decisions of this nature are shared directly with parents through a letter or telephone call.
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Residence Hall Contract Termination or Removal-Removal from the University residence hall community for conduct which is a serious violation of residence hall rules or regulations. Termination may also result from less serious, but repeated incidents of misconduct. Serious violations are generally considered those behaviors that are dangerous or highly disruptive. Such separation may range from the remainder of a given semester (regardless of the days remaining) to permanent removal. The Housing contract states, "If a student moves from a residence hall for any reason other than withdrawal from the University, the student will be held accountable for 100 percent of the room rent and 100 percent of the food service portion of the contract for the remainder of the academic year." Decisions of this nature are shared directly with parents through a letter or telephone call.
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Official University Warning-A resident student may receive a University warning as part of a residence hall sanction. Decisions of this nature are shared directly with parents through a letter or telephone call.
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Recommendation for other University Sanctions-Resident students who commit serious and/or chronic violations of the residence hall policies will be referred to the Dean of Students office for further University sanctions. This could result in a University student conduct file being maintained.
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Specific Sanctions Associated with Each Violation
Minimum sanctions are listed below. Depending on the severity of the offense and/or a student's previous conduct involvement, the disciplinary body may impose more sanctions. Note: During the last two weeks of each semester fines will be doubled.
Alcohol
Possession, use, or sale of alcohol:
- First violation: Residence hall probation/parental notification/$25 fine/behavioral contract and five hours community service/Student Assistance Program educational session.
- Second violation: Deferred removal/$50 fine/10 hours community service hours/Student Assistance Program assessment and counseling sessions/parental notification.
- Third violation: Removal
Note: Possession of large quantities of alcohol may result in removal
from the residence halls on the first offense along with university sanctions.
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Alcohol Containers or Drug Paraphernalia
- First violation: Notice of policy violation/remove containers/meeting with RA.
- Second violation: Notice of policy violation/remove containers/meeting with Residence Hall Coordinator.
- Third violation: Residence hall probation/$25 fine/remove containers/Student Assistance Program educational session.
- Fourth violation: Deferred removal/$25 fine/remove containers/Student Assistance Program assessment with counseling.
- Fifth violation: Removal/$25 fine.
Behavior related to consumption of Alcohol
- First violation: Residence Hall Probation/$25 fine/five hours of community service/Student Assistance Program educational session/Parental notification.
- Second violation: Deferred removal/ $50 fine/10 hours of community service/Student Assistance Program assessment and counseling sessions/parental notification.
- Third violation: Removal.
Computer Use
Misuse of computer, software, or computer networks including hacking and port scanning.
- First violation: Residence hall probation/loss of network access
- Second violation: Deferred removal/loss of network access
- Third violation: Removal
- Removal of unsafe item(s) and probation.
- First violation: Notice of policy violation/meeting RA to discuss floor standards.
- Second violation: Notice of policy violation/meeting with Residence Hall Coordinator.
- Third violation: Student conduct meeting/residence hall probation/$10 fine/five community service hours/removal of speakers (if appropriate).
- Fourth violation: Deferred removal/$20 fine/10 community service hours.
- Fifth violation: Removal/$25 fine.
Note: If sound amplification equipment is involved, speakers may be removed. Violations occurring during 24-hour quiet hours will result in a $50 fine and other appropriate sanctions.
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Drugs (Controlled Substances)
Possession/use:
- First violation: Deferred removal/parental notification/Student Assistance program assessment and counselling sessions/$100 fine/10 hours of community service
- Second violation: Removal
Note: Possession or use of narcotics, depressants, stimulants, or hallucinogens may result in removal from residence halls on first offense along with University sanctions. Similarly, possession of 15 grams or more of cannabis products (i.e. marijuana) may result in removal from residence halls on first offense along with University sanctions.
Distribution or intent to distribute:
- First violation: Removal and possible University sanctions.
- First Violation: Residence hall probation/$25 fine
- Second Violation: Deferred removal/$25 fine
- Third Violation: Removal/$25 fine
Exit Doors:
- First Violation: Residence hall probation/$25 fine
- Second Violation: Deferred removal/$25 fine
- Third Violation: Removal/$25 fine
Floor alarm:
- First Violation: Deferred removal/$100 fine
- Second Violation: Removal
False alarm call to DPS:
- First Violation: Removal/$100 fine/University sanctions
Failure to Comply
Interference with staff and other officials:
- First Violation: Residence hall probation
- Second Violation: Deferred removal
- Third Violation: Removal
Failure to honor student conduct/disciplinary sanction:
- First Violation: Residence hall probation/$25 fine
- Second Violation: Deferred removal/$25 fine
- Third Violation: Removal/$25 fine
Failure to complete community service hours:
- $10 fine for each uncompleted hour
Uncooperative behavior:
- First Violation: Residence Hall Probation
- Second Violation: Deferred removal/$50 fine
- Third Violation: Removal/$100 fine
Fire Safety
Open flame (including burning candles and burning incense):
- First Violation: Residence hall probation/removal of item
- Second Violation: Deferred removal/$25 fine/removal of item
- Third Violation: Removal/$25 fine
Failure to evacuate:
- First Violation: Deferred removal/$50 fine
- Second Violation: Removal/$50 fine
Obstructing doors:
- First Violation: Removal/University sanctions
Activating building alarms (e.g. pull stations, smoke detectors, sprinklers):
- First Violation: Removal/$100 fine/University sanctions
Tampering with fire hoses, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, or other safety equipment:
- First Violation: Deferred removal/$100 fine
- Second Violation: Removal
Intentionally Setting a Fire:
- Removal/University sanctions
Firearms or Other Weapons
Possession:
- Confiscation of item and removal
- Removal and University sanctions
Furniture Use
Exchanging or moving hall furniture:
- First Violation: Probation/$25 fine
- Subsequent Violation(s): Deferred removal/$50 fine
Harassment
Threatening another:
- Deferred removal/removal
- Deferred removal/removal
- Removal and University sanctions
Misuse of ID
Duplication, lending, borrowing, misrepresentation, or misuse of the ID:
- Deferred removal/removal
- First Violation: Notice of policy violation
- Second Violation: Notice of policy violation
- Third Violation: Student conduct meeting/residence hall probation/$10 fine/five hours of community service
- Fourth Violation: Student conduct meeting/deferred removal/$20 fine/10 hours of community service
- Subsequent Violation(s): Student conduct meeting/15 hours of community service/$50 fine
Safety and Security
Use of not permitted Items:
- Remove item and probation/deferred removal
- $100 fine in all cases
- $100 fine in all cases
- Deferred removal/removal and University sanction
- First Violation: Probation/restitution for lock change
- Subsequent Violation(s): Deferred removal/restitution for lock change
- Removal and University sanctions
- First Violation: Notice of policy violation
- Second Violation: Notice of policy violation
- Third Violation: Student conduct meeting/residence hall probation/$10 fine/five hours of community service
- Fourth Violation: Student conduct meeting/deferred removal/$20 fine/10 hours of community service
- Subsequent Violation(s): Student conduct meeting/15 hours of community service/$50 fine
- Cease behavior
Theft
Possession of stolen goods:
- Removal and University sanctions
- Removal and University sanctions
- Removal, restitution, and University sanctions
Unauthorized Entry or Presence
Being in an unauthorized area:
- Probation/deferred removal/removal
- Deferred removal/removal
- Arrest by DPS
- Deferred Removal & $100 fine/Removal
Vandalism
Damages to premises or property:
- Restitution and deferred removal/removal
- Restitution and deferred removal/removal
- Community service/probation/deferred removal/removal
- Create new bulletin board and probation/deferred removal
Visitation Policy Violation
First violation:
- Notice of policy violation
- Student conduct meeting /probation/renewal of roommate contract
- Deferred removal/loss of visitation privileges/$25 Fine