DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

The University of West Alabama believes that each student and student organization should have every opportunity for a fair and reasonable hearing when charged with infractions of the University rules and regulations. The appropriate hearing board or the University Student Life Committee will hear all such cases. The Student Life Committee is chaired by the Director of Student Life (or his designee) and is composed of University faculty, staff and students.

Serious or persistent cases of student misconduct are referred to the Student Life Committee.  In all cases, students are assured of a fair and reasonable hearing governed by the basic guidelines of procedural due process. The student is given a written notice of the charges against him/her and the time and place of the hearing, and he/she is allowed to present evidence and witnesses and to be assisted by advice or counsel of his/her choice. Following the disciplinary hearing, the Committee makes a decision and notifies the student. The student has the right to appeal the decision of the Student Life Committee to the Vice President for Student Affairs.  An appeal must be made in writing within 72 hours of notification of the decision by the Student Life Committee.

Procedural standards, listed below, will be followed in all hearings by the Student Life Committee unless the Committee feels it necessary to make changes in the procedure to protect the safety of the individual or the University.

1. A student shall be notified in writing of the specific nature of the charges against him/her.

2. In all cases the student is assured a fair and reasonable hearing governed by the fundamental guidelines of procedural due process.

3. A student shall be informed of the time and place of the hearing in advance to ensure an opportunity to prepare for the hearing. The notice shall be in writing unless the urgency of the situation demands quicker action.

4. Once a student has been duly notified, failure to appear before the committee will not preclude the hearing being held.

5. Pending action on charges against a student, his/her status as a student shall not be altered and his/her right to be present on campus for the purpose of attending classes shall not be suspended unless the safety of the student, his/her fellow students, the faculty, or the institution is jeopardized.

6. A student appearing before the Student Life Committee has the right to be assisted in his/her defense by a representative/counsel of his/her choice. Counsel may act in an advisory capacity only. Counsel may not cross-examine witnesses, nor present oral arguments.

7. A student shall be given the right to present evidence and witnesses in his/her behalf.

8. A written statement of the hearing will be kept on file with the Office of Student Affairs.

9. The Student Life Committee shall select from the following sanctions after hearing a case:
   

   • Reprimand - a written or oral notice to the student that certain behavior violates the Code of Conduct and continuation or repetition of specific conduct may be cause for further disciplinary action.

   • Restitution - Compensation for damage to a property right limited to the actual cost of repair or replacement.

   • University or Community Service - Doing work for the University or a community agency without pay.

   • Voluntary Withdrawal - A student may be given the option of voluntarily withdrawing from the University in which case the Student Life Committee may specify a period of time before the student may apply for readmission. To qualify for readmission the student must receive approval from the Vice President for Student Affairs and meet the academic standards for readmission.

   • Removal from Housing - A student who is deemed to be a disruptive or dangerous presence to other residents in the University housing system may be suspended indefinitely from University housing.

   • Probation - This sanction may include the exclusion from a participation in privileges, such as extracurricular activities or the suspension of the student’s activity card for a period of time during which subsequent violation will incur suspension or expulsion. The provisions of the probationary period shall be determined and expressed by the committee.

   • Suspension - Separation from the University for a definite period of time. A student may be suspended for a specific period of time not to exceed two years. To qualify for readmission after suspension a student must receive the approval of the Vice President for Student Affairs and meet the academic standard for readmission.

   • Expulsion - An indefinite termination of student status from the University for a period of not less than two years. To qualify for readmission after expulsion a student must receive the approval of the Vice President for Student Affairs and meet the academic standard for readmission.

   • Other - Other penalties or conclusions as appropriate.

10. The Director of Student Life will carry out decisions made by the Student Life Committee.

11. Decisions rendered by the Student Life Committee may be appealed to the Vice President for Student Affairs when the accused feels circumstances warrant such action. Such appeal must be filed in writing within three working days following official notification of the decision of the Student Life Committee. Once a decision is appealed, the Vice President for Student Affairs may accept, reject, alter or otherwise dispense with the appeal as he may deem advisable. Right to counsel or representation will also be available in the appeal process.

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