Student Code of Conduct

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I. INTRODUCTION

The Student Code of Conduct establishes the rules, regulations, rights, responsibilities, and procedures applicable to students of Georgetown College.

Students at Georgetown College are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the College’s educational mission and with the rights, safety, dignity, and well-being of members of the College community. This Code applies to conduct occurring on College-owned or controlled property, at college-sponsored or supervised functions, and, when the circumstances described in this Code are met, to conduct occurring elsewhere or through electronic means.

Students enrolling at Georgetown College assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the College’s function as an educational institution.

Since Georgetown College cannot foresee every circumstance that may arise, not all prohibited behavior can be specifically identified in this Code. The College may address conduct that substantially interferes with the educational mission, operations, safety, or well-being of the College community, provided that the conduct falls within the jurisdiction of this Code and applicable institutional policies.

PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY

The Student Conduct process is an educational and institutional process intended to:

  1. Promote student learning, development, accountability, and responsible decision-making;
  2. Protect the safety and well-being of the College community;
  3. Provide fair, consistent, and timely procedures;
  4. Respect the rights and dignity of all participants;
  5. Address harm to individuals and the community;
  6. Apply sanctions that are proportionate to the nature and circumstances of the conduct; and
  7. Support restoration and educational growth when appropriate.

The College seeks to balance accountability with education. Student conduct outcomes should be sufficiently responsive to the seriousness of the conduct while recognizing that students are members of an educational community in which mistakes can provide opportunities for learning and growth.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The administration of this Code will be guided by the following principles:

  • Fairness: Students will be provided a meaningful opportunity to understand and respond to allegations.
  • Consistency: Comparable circumstances should generally produce comparable outcomes while allowing consideration of individual circumstances.
  • Proportionality: Outcomes should reasonably correspond to the nature and severity of the conduct.
  • Education: When appropriate, sanctions should encourage reflection, learning, behavioral change, and restoration.
  • Safety: The College may take appropriate interim action when necessary to protect individuals or the College community.
  • Impartiality: Conduct decisions should be made by individuals without an actual or reasonably perceived conflict of interest.
  • Dignity: Participants in the conduct process should be treated respectfully.

II. JURISDICTION

This Code applies to students while they are enrolled at Georgetown College and to conduct occurring:

  1. On College-owned, leased, operated, or controlled property;
  2. At College-sponsored, College-supervised, or College-affiliated activities;
  3. In connection with college programs, organizations, teams, or activities;
  4. Through electronic or digital communication when the conduct otherwise falls within the College’s jurisdiction;
  5. Off campus when the conduct has a sufficient connection to the College, including conduct that substantially affects the College’s educational environment, operations, safety, or members of the College community; or
  6. In other circumstances when jurisdiction is established by applicable law or institutional policy.

The College may address conduct occurring through electronic media, including but not limited to Canvas, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and other electronic or social media platforms, when the conduct falls within the jurisdiction described above.

JURISDICTIONAL LIMIT

The College will consider the relationship between the alleged conduct and the College when determining whether to exercise jurisdiction over off-campus conduct. The fact that conduct occurs off campus does not, by itself, determine whether the College will or will not exercise jurisdiction.

 

III. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Code:

Allegation means a report or assertion that a student may have engaged in conduct prohibited by college policy.

Charge means a specific provision of the Code that the College alleges may have been violated.

Conduct Officer means a college employee authorized to administer the Student Conduct process and resolve cases as provided by this Code.

Formal Hearing means a proceeding before a trained Hearing Board to determine responsibility in cases referred for formal resolution.

Hearing Board means the trained faculty, staff, and student representatives who serve as the decision-making body for a Formal Hearing.

Informal Resolution means a resolution in which an eligible student accepts responsibility and agrees to assigned sanctions without a Formal Hearing.

Interim Measure means a temporary action taken while a conduct matter is pending to protect individuals, preserve the educational environment, or maintain College operations. An interim measure is not necessarily a sanction and does not constitute a finding of responsibility.

Reporting Party means an individual or entity who reports alleged misconduct.

Responding Student means the student alleged to have violated the Code.

Sanction means an educational, restorative, administrative, or punitive consequence imposed after a finding of responsibility or accepted responsibility through an authorized resolution process.

Support Person means an individual permitted to accompany a student during a conduct meeting or hearing as provided by this Code.

Preponderance of the Evidence means that, based on the information presented, it is more likely than not that the alleged violation occurred.

Additional terms may be defined in applicable College policies incorporated into or referenced by this Code.

 

IV. STUDENT STATUS

For purposes of this policy, a “student” is defined as any person who is admitted, enrolled, or registered for study at Georgetown College.

A person shall also be considered a student when attending or participating in any activity preceding the beginning of school, including but not limited to athletic practices or events, new student orientation, and residence hall check-in.

The College may continue conduct proceedings when a student withdraws, graduates, transfers, or otherwise leaves the College if the circumstances warrant continuation of the process or completion of outstanding sanctions.

 

V. CHARGES

The following conduct is prohibited:

1. Alcohol

A. Alcohol Consumption: No student shall consume alcohol at any College-sanctioned event or on college property, including residence halls, administrative buildings, campus grounds, or any College-owned, leased, or controlled property.

B. Alcohol Possession: No student shall possess or be discovered in possession of alcohol or any commercial alcohol container at any College-sanctioned event or on college property.

C. Alcohol Container Possession: No student shall store alcohol or any commercial alcohol container, including boxes and bottles, at any College-sanctioned event or on college property.

D. Presence of Alcohol: No student shall be in the presence of or be discovered to be in the presence of alcohol or any commercial alcohol container at any College-sanctioned event or on college property.

E. Alcohol Distribution: No student shall distribute alcohol at any College-sanctioned event or on college property.

F. Alcohol Intoxication: No student under the legal drinking age shall be intoxicated at any time while at any College-sanctioned event or on college property.

G. Alcohol Intoxication Concurrent Charge: No student shall be discovered in a state of intoxication while in violation of another institutional policy at any College-sanctioned event or on college property. This section applies only to students who are of legal drinking age.

APPLICATION GUIDANCE

When determining responsibility under provisions concerning the presence of alcohol, the College should consider the totality of the circumstances, including the student’s location, knowledge, control, participation, and relationship to the alcohol or event.

2. Animals
  1. Non-compliant Animal Possession: No student shall host or house any animal, nor act as an accomplice to the housing or hosting of any animal on Georgetown College's campus. Exceptions to this policy will only be made for students who are granted the accommodation of an assistance animal for a qualifying disability by the Office of Disability Services in accordance with the Georgetown College Assistance Animal Policy.
  2. Continued Non-compliance with Animal Policy: No student shall continue to violate the animal policy or continue to be an accomplice to a violation of said policy.
  3. Non-compliance with Approved Animal Process: No student shall violate the Emotional Support Animal or Service Animal policy as outlined in the Student Handbook and in the signed agreement with the Office of Disability Services

Nothing in this Code shall be interpreted to limit rights or obligations arising under applicable disability-access or assistance-animal requirements or the College’s applicable Assistance Animal Policy.

3. Computer Misuse

No student shall fail to use the College’s computing resources, IT infrastructure, or College-provided Internet services in an ethical, professional, and legal manner in accordance with applicable law and College policy.

4. Conduct Unbecoming

No student shall engage in behavior that substantially interferes with the College’s educational mission, operations, safety, or the rights of members of the College community when the behavior is not otherwise addressed by a more specific provision of this Code.

This provision is not intended to create disciplinary liability solely because a student’s lawful behavior, expression, viewpoint, or personal belief does not conform to a particular social, cultural, or administrative preference.

5. Damage of Property
  1. Damage of College Property: No student shall purposely, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently harm, vandalize, damage, destroy, or negatively impact the operation or condition of any College property.
  2. Damage of Other Property: No student shall purposely, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently harm, vandalize, damage, destroy, or negatively impact the operation or condition of the property of other students, faculty, employees, or visitors to the College campus or College grounds.
6. Disorderly Conduct
  1. Disorderly Conduct: No student shall engage in any unreasonable conduct, act in an unreasonable manner, or create unreasonable disturbance, with the intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, or otherwise, that wantonly creates or has the potential to create a disruptive, hazardous, or threatening environment.
  2. Campus Event Misconduct: No student shall engage in any conduct or act in such a manner that serves no legitimate purpose beyond the creation of an unreasonable situation that causes inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, or otherwise, such that it causes disruption or obstruction of normal College events. These normal College events can include but are not limited to teaching, research, administration, or other activities of the College, such as residence hall operations, athletics events, student group activities, or other authorized activities of the College.

A finding under this provision should be based on specific conduct and its actual or reasonably foreseeable effect on the College environment rather than solely on subjective disagreement with a student’s behavior or expression.

7. Drugs
  1. Drug Possession: No student shall be in the possession of any illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia at any College-sanctioned event or on College property, including but not limited to residence halls, administrative buildings, campus grounds, or any College-owned, leased, or controlled property.
  2. Drug Distribution: No student shall distribute any illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia at any College-sanctioned event or on College property, including but not limited to residence halls, administrative buildings, campus grounds, or any College-owned, leased, or controlled property.
  3. Drug Intoxication: No student shall be discovered under the influence of illegal drugs at any College-sanctioned event or on College property, including but not limited to residence halls, administrative buildings, campus grounds, or any College-owned, leased, or controlled property.
  4. Presence of Drugs or Drug-Related Items: No student shall use, be in the presence of, or be discovered to be in the presence of any illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia at any College-sanctioned event or on College property, including but not limited to residence halls, administrative buildings, campus grounds, or any College owned, leased, or controlled property.
  5. Misuse of Prescription Drugs: No student shall possess, use, or distribute prescription drugs beyond the scope of the prescription at any College-sanctioned event or on college property, including but not limited to residence halls, administrative buildings, campus grounds, or any College-owned, leased, or controlled property.
8. Failure to Comply
  1. Failure to Comply with College Officials: No student shall fail to comply with a reasonable and lawful request of a College official acting within the scope of the official’s duties.
  2. Failure to Comply with Conduct Process: No student shall fail to appear before a Student Conduct official or Hearing Board as required without appropriate communication, excuse, or justification. No student shall knowingly or intentionally violate the terms of a disciplinary sanction imposed under this Code.

A student’s decision to exercise a right provided by this Code, including the right to contest an allegation, request an appeal, or decline an available informal resolution, shall not itself constitute failure to comply.

9. Fire and Safety
  1. Tampering with Fire Safety: No student shall knowingly, purposefully, or recklessly engage in falsely pulling any fire alarm pull station, or tamper with any fire alarm or fire safety equipment, including but not limited to smoke detection sensors. Tampering with any smoke-detection sensors can include, but is not limited to, the covering, placing items or material inside that affect the ability to detect smoke, pulling from its proper mount, or removing the device or its batteries/power supply from the unit.
    1. Covering or removing smoke detectors that prevent activation or proper operation. This will result in an automatic $150 fine on the student's account every time it is found. If it is a reoccurring issue, it will also be sent to the Office of Student Conduct where additional sanctions may be incurred.
    2. Pulling a fire alarm in a false and/or malicious manner, or intentionally falsely reporting an incident.
    3. Dividing the room with anything that could impede the travel of smoke thus causes a delay in the activation of the smoke detector.
    4. Playing with or discharging a fire extinguisher in a non-emergency situation.
  2. Failure to Vacate: No student shall fail to exit any building during a fire alarm or return to any building before being told to do so by a College official during any fire alarm.
  3. Non-compliant use of smoke, vape, or related device: No student shall smoke, vape, and/or use any type of e-cigarette or liquid/vapor/solid substance-based device that simulates smoking or creates smoke/vapor at any College-sanctioned event or inside any College property, including but not limited to residence halls, administrative buildings, or any College owned, leased, or controlled property or within 30 feet of any building entrance, window, or ventilation system.
10. Firearms, Weapons, and/or Explosive Materials

The College prohibits possession, storage, and use of firearms, weapons, explosive materials, and other items identified in this section, subject to applicable law and College policy.

Such items may include but are not limited to: any kind of firearm, ammunition, air rifles or air pistols, BB guns, firecrackers or fireworks, gasoline, explosives or other combustible materials, brass knuckles, and/or knives with a blade longer than six (6) inches.

  1. Possession of a Firearm, Weapon, or Explosive Material: No student shall possess any firearms, weapons, or explosive materials of any kind in any building on campus grounds, or on college property.
  2. Storage of a Firearm, Weapon, or Explosive Material: No student shall store any firearms, weapons, or explosive materials of any kind in any building on campus grounds, or on college property.
  3. Use of a Firearm, Weapon, or Explosive Material: No student shall use any firearms, weapons, or explosive materials of any kind in any building on campus grounds, or on college property.
11. Fraud
  1. Identity Fraud: No student shall intentionally provide false identification or information to any College official when requested to provide their identification or information.
  2. Fraudulent Behavior: No student shall purposely or knowingly engage in a behavior or act in a manner with the intent to defraud, deceive, or be untruthful to any College official or representative of the College acting in the performance of their official duties.
  3. False Information During Conduct Process: No student shall intentionally provide false information or be dishonest during any official College process or investigation.

A student does not violate this provision merely because the College determines that the student’s account differs from another participant’s account. Responsibility must be based on evidence that the student knowingly provided materially false information.

12. Gender Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct
  1. Title IX violation: No student shall violate Title IX as stated in the College’s Gender Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy as outlined in the Title IX: Gender-Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy Section I. A copy of this policy can be provided by the Title IX coordinator and found at https://www.georgetowncollege.edu/title-ix.
  2. Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct: No student shall engage in sexual misconduct that falls outside the scope of Title IX as stated in the College’s Gender Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy as outlined in the Title IX: Gender-Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy Section II. A copy of this policy can be provided by the Title IX coordinator and found at https://www.georgetowncollege.edu/title-ix.

Allegations subject to the College’s separate Title IX: Gender Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy will be administered under that policy to the extent required by applicable law and College policy.

13. Harassment
  1. Harassment: No student shall engage in any behavior or act in a manner towards another with the intention to harass, threaten, alarm, disturb, pester, annoy, trouble, or imply any threat or innuendo of harm repeatedly towards any individual.
  2. Persistent Harassment: No student shall continue to take any of the above actions or behaviors, nor imply that they intend to do so, towards another person after being asked to do so no longer, with the intent to threaten or endanger, or imply a threat to the health, safety, or well-being of any individual.
RETALIATION

No student shall retaliate against any person because that person reported misconduct, participated in an investigation or hearing, served as a witness, requested assistance, exercised a right under this Code, or otherwise participated in the College’s conduct process.

Retaliation may include adverse treatment, threats, intimidation, harassment, or other conduct reasonably intended to discourage or punish participation in a college process.

14. Harm to Person
  1. Harm to Person: No student shall engage in any behavior or act in a manner towards another with the intention to, purposely or negligently, cause harm to, intimidate, bully, emotionally or physically abuse, injure, or imply any threat or innuendo of harm to any individual.
  2. Implication of Harm to Person: No student shall imply that they intend to engage in any behavior or act in a manner towards another with the intention to, purposely or negligently, cause harm to, intimidate, bully, emotionally or physically abuse, injure, or imply any threat or innuendo of harm, or endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any individual
  3. Persistent Harm to Person: No student shall continue to take any of the above actions or behaviors, nor imply that they intend to do so, towards another person after being asked to do so no longer, with the intent to threaten or endanger, or imply a threat to the health, safety, or well-being of any individual.
15. Hazing
  1. Hazing: No student shall engage in, or be found to have engaged in, hazing as defined by applicable law and College policy. Hazing for this policy is defined as “Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with other persons, against a student, regardless of that student’s willingness to participate. This includes acts related to an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in an organization and causes or is likely to contribute to a substantial risk (above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the activities of an organization) of physical injury, mental harm, or degradation, as noted in the Stop Campus Hazing Act.”

The College may address hazing regardless of whether the person subjected to the conduct consented to, encouraged, or participated in the activity.

16. Institutional Policy
  1. Violation of Policy: No student shall violate any published College policy or College regulation.
17. Non-discrimination
  1. Discriminatory Action or Behavior: No student shall purposely, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently engage in any action or behavior that discriminates against another student, guest, or College official under any protected classes as defined in the Georgetown College institutional Non-Discrimination Statement. These protected classes include race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability, and veteran status. This policy complies with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI , and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Discrimination and harassment allegations may also be subject to other College policies and applicable law. When multiple policies may apply, the College will determine the appropriate process and avoid unnecessary duplication of proceedings.

18. Theft
  1. Community Theft: No student shall purposely, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently take, steal, possess, or move, without authorization to do so, or any personal property of other students, faculty, employees, or visitors to the College campus or College grounds.
  2. Theft of College Property: No student shall purposely, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently take, steal, possess, or move, without authorization to do so, any College property.
19. Unauthorized Entry/Trespassing
  1. Residential Trespassing: No student shall make entry, attempt to make entry, occupy, or be found to have entered residential rooms or spaces that they have not explicitly been given permission to occupy or enter by the individual(s) responsible for that space.
  2. Unauthorized Entry: No student shall, through any means, gain, attempt to gain, or make unauthorized entry to any space in College buildings or on College grounds.
  3. Trespassing: No student shall occupy any College facilities which are locked, closed to student activities, otherwise restricted or should reasonably be believed to be restricted in their use for any reason.
20. Violation of Local, State, or Federal Law
  1. Law Violation: No student shall violate applicable local, state, or federal law when the conduct falls within the jurisdiction of this Code.

A criminal investigation, arrest, charge, or conviction does not automatically determine responsibility under this Code. The College may conduct its own process when permitted by applicable law and institutional policy.

 

VI. STUDENT RIGHTS

Students involved in the Student Conduct process have the following rights:

  1. To receive written notice of the allegations and applicable Code provisions;
  2. To receive reasonable information regarding the conduct process;
  3. To have a meaningful opportunity to respond to allegations;
  4. To review information made available under this Code;
  5. To identify relevant information and witnesses, subject to reasonable procedural requirements;
  6. To have one support person as permitted by this Code;
  7. To have an impartial Conduct Officer or Hearing Board;
  8. To receive a determination based on the applicable standard of evidence;
  9. To receive written notification of the outcome and applicable sanctions;
  10. To request an appeal when an appeal is authorized under this Code;
  11. To request reasonable accommodations through the appropriate College office;
  12. To be free from retaliation for participating in the conduct process; and

  13. To have their conduct information handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws and College policy.

     

VII. REPORTING AND WRITTEN NOTIFICATION

Any member of the College community may report alleged violations of the Code to the appropriate College office.

A student referred for an alleged Code violation will receive written notification of the allegation and applicable charges.

The notification will ordinarily include:

  • The alleged violation(s);
  • A brief description of the reported conduct;
  • The date, time, and location of the Preliminary Meeting when applicable;
  • Instructions for participating in the conduct process;
  • Information concerning the student’s rights; and
  • Information regarding available support resources.

Notification will ordinarily be sent to the student’s Georgetown College email address.

 

VIII. PRELIMINARY MEETING

The accused student will meet with a Conduct Officer to discuss the allegations, applicable procedures, potential resolution options, and next steps.

During the Preliminary Meeting, the student may review the report and respond to the allegations.

The Conduct Officer will explain:

  1. The allegations;
  2. The applicable Code provisions;
  3. The student’s procedural rights;
  4. Available resolution options;
  5. Potential sanctions when appropriate;
  6. The role of a support person;
  7. Appeal rights when applicable; and
  8. Any required deadlines.

The student will have a reasonable opportunity to provide information relevant to the allegations.

 

IX. INFORMAL RESOLUTION

Informal Resolution may be considered for eligible cases when the student accepts responsibility and agrees to an appropriate resolution.

Informal Resolution is generally available for first or second offenses unless the nature, seriousness, complexity, or circumstances of the allegation warrant a Formal Hearing.

Participation in Informal Resolution is voluntary unless otherwise authorized by a separate College policy.

The student will be informed of:

  • The allegation;
  • The finding or acceptance of responsibility;
  • The proposed sanctions;
  • The consequences of failing to complete the agreement; and
  • Whether and how the resolution will be recorded.

Informal Resolution may include educational, restorative, developmental, or accountability measures appropriate to the circumstances.

Cases involving serious violence, threats, sexual misconduct, hazing, or other matters for which informal resolution is inappropriate may be referred directly to a Formal Hearing or another applicable institutional process.

 

X. FORMAL HEARING

Students facing a third charge, cases that are egregious or complex, or cases referred for formal resolution at the student’s request may be referred for a Formal Hearing.

A Formal Hearing consists of a meeting with the Hearing Board. The Hearing Board will review the report and relevant evidence and hear from appropriate participants.

The Conduct Officer assigned to the case may attend the Formal Hearing to provide procedural guidance but shall not serve as a voting member of the Hearing Board.

STANDARD OF EVIDENCE

The College uses a preponderance of the evidence standard for determining responsibility under this Code. A student will be found responsible when the information presented demonstrates that it is more likely than not that the student violated the applicable provision.

IMPARTIALITY

A Conduct Officer, Hearing Board member, or appeal decision-maker must disclose any actual or reasonably perceived conflict of interest. A person with a conflict may be removed or replaced from the matter as appropriate.

 

XI. HEARING BOARD

A Hearing Board will consist of trained individuals who volunteer or are appointed to serve.

The standard Hearing Board will consist of at least:

  • One faculty member;
  • One staff member; and
  • One student.

However, under certain circumstances the Hearing Board may include only staff and faculty members with no student representatives. The Conduct Officer may not serve as a voting member of the Hearing Board.

TRAINING

Hearing Board members will receive training appropriate to their responsibilities. Training should address:

  • The Student Code of Conduct;
  • Student rights;
  • The standard of evidence;
  • Evidence and relevance;
  • Questioning;
  • Credibility assessment;
  • Bias and conflicts of interest;
  • Deliberation;
  • Sanctioning;
  • Confidentiality and privacy;
  • Appeals; and

  • Educational and restorative approaches to accountability.

     

XII. HEARING PROCEDURES

The Hearing Board may establish reasonable procedures for the orderly presentation of information.

The Hearing Board may ask questions of participants and request clarification of information relevant to the allegation.

The Hearing Board will consider information that is relevant and reasonably reliable.

The Board will not be required to follow formal rules of evidence applicable to courts of law.

A student may respond to allegations, identify relevant information, and provide information permitted under the applicable procedure.

The College may proceed with a hearing when a student fails to attend after proper notice, consistent with the rights and procedures established by this Code.

 

XIII. STUDENT SUPPORT PERSON

Students have the right to one support person at meetings and hearings related to the conduct process.

The support person may be present but may not speak for the student, answer questions on the student’s behalf, or otherwise participate unless specifically permitted by the applicable procedure.

A support person who becomes disruptive or attempts to participate improperly may be dismissed.

The College may establish reasonable qualifications or limitations for support persons when necessary to protect the integrity of the process.

 

XIV. FAILURE TO APPEAR

Students who fail to attend a Preliminary Meeting without notice may have the matter referred to a Formal Hearing.

If a student fails to attend a Formal Hearing after proper notice, the Hearing Board may adjudicate the matter based on the information available.

A student’s failure to attend shall not automatically be treated as an admission of responsibility.

 

XV. FORMAL RESOLUTION

Following a Formal Hearing, the Hearing Board will determine whether the student is responsible for the alleged violation based on a preponderance of the evidence.

If the student is found responsible, the appropriate sanction(s) will be assigned in accordance with this Code.

The student will receive written notification of the outcome.

Written outcome notifications should identify:

  • The finding;
  • The Code provision(s) at issue;
  • The principal basis for the determination;
  • Sanctions, if any;
  • Sanction deadlines;
  • Appeal rights and deadlines; and
  • Any other information required by applicable policy or law.

 

XVI. INTERIM MEASURES

The College may impose reasonable interim measures when necessary to protect the safety or well-being of an individual or the College community, preserve College property, maintain normal College operations, or prevent substantial disruption while a matter is pending.

Interim measures may include:

  • No-contact directives;
  • Housing adjustments;
  • Restrictions from particular locations;
  • Restrictions from particular activities;
  • Class or schedule adjustments;
  • Temporary restrictions on access to College facilities; or
  • Interim suspension when warranted.

An interim measure is not a finding of responsibility and should be limited in scope and duration to what is reasonably necessary under the circumstances.

Where appropriate, the College will provide the student with information regarding the basis for the interim measure and available procedures for review.

 

XVII. EXECUTIVE CABINET EXCEPTION

Georgetown College’s Executive Cabinet may intervene in extraordinary circumstances and may act as the deciding body when necessary.

The Executive Cabinet may impose sanctions, including interim suspension, suspension, or expulsion when necessary to protect the College community, preserve College property, protect a student’s safety or well-being, or address an ongoing threat of significant disruption or interference with College operations.

Use of this authority should be limited to circumstances in which ordinary conduct procedures are impracticable, insufficient, or inappropriate because of the extraordinary nature of the situation.

The College will document the basis for invoking this authority.

 

XVIII. SANCTIONS

Sanctions are intended to provide an opportunity for education, growth, accountability, restoration, and, when warranted, punitive action.

In most cases, educational and accountability-based sanctions may be assigned concurrently with punitive or administrative sanctions.

SANCTIONING FACTORS

When determining an appropriate sanction, the decision-maker may consider:

  1. Nature and severity of the conduct;
  2. Actual or potential harm;
  3. Impact on individuals and the College community;
  4. Student’s intent and level of participation;
  5. Prior conduct history;
  6. Whether the conduct is repeated;
  7. Student’s acceptance of responsibility;
  8. Cooperation with the conduct process;
  9. Completion of prior sanctions;
  10. Educational and developmental needs;
  11. Restorative opportunities;
  12. Safety considerations;
  13. Financial or property-related harm;
  14. Relevant mitigating or aggravating circumstances; and
  15. Other factors reasonably related to the matter.
CONSISTENCY

Decision-makers should consider outcomes in comparable cases when determining sanctions. Comparable cases need not receive identical sanctions because relevant differences in circumstances, impact, prior history, or student responsibility may justify different outcomes.

 

XIX. SANCTION OPTIONS

Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:

  • Warning;
  • Reprimand;
  • Reflection assignment;
  • Educational course;
  • Mentor meetings;
  • Research paper/project;
  • Campus service;
  • Community service;
  • College/community referral;
  • Restitution;
  • Fine;
  • Required change of residency;
  • Loss of on-campus housing;
  • Restriction of access to spaces, resources, or activities;
  • No-contact order;
  • Probation;
  • Deferred suspension;
  • Interim suspension;
  • Suspension/dismissal;
  • Expulsion; and
  • Trespass notice.
RESTORATIVE OPTIONS

When appropriate and voluntary, restorative outcomes may include:

  • Restorative conference;
  • Facilitated dialogue;
  • Impact statement;
  • Community restoration project;
  • Harm-repair plan; or
  • Other educational or restorative activity designed to address the effects of the conduct.

Restorative approaches should not be used when doing so would create unreasonable safety concerns, place undue pressure on an affected individual, or otherwise conflict with applicable law or College policy.

 

XX. NO-CONTACT ORDERS

A no-contact order may be issued when deemed necessary by an authorized College administrator or when appropriate under an applicable College process.

A no-contact order may prohibit direct or indirect contact, including contact through third parties or electronic communication.

A no-contact order is an administrative directive and is not, by itself, a finding that either party violated the Student Code of Conduct.

 

XXI. APPEALS

A student may appeal a conduct decision when one or more of the following grounds exist:

  1. A significant procedural error materially affected the outcome;
  2. New information or evidence has become available that was not reasonably available during the original process;
  3. The sanction is clearly disproportionate to the nature and circumstances of the violation; or
  4. A conflict of interest or other material issue substantially affected the impartiality of the process.

Appeal requests must be submitted in writing within three business days of the decision unless another deadline is required by applicable law or College policy.

The appeal must identify the applicable ground(s) and provide sufficient information to explain the basis for the appeal.

An appeal is not a re-hearing of the entire matter. The appeal decision-maker will review the record and the grounds identified in the appeal.

The appeal decision-maker may:

  • Uphold the finding and sanction;
  • Uphold the finding and modify the sanction;
  • Remand the matter for further proceedings; or
  • Overturn the finding.

The Conduct Officer and Hearing Board members who participated in the original matter will not hear the appeal.

The appeal decision will be final within the College’s conduct process unless another College policy provides otherwise.

 

XXII. RECORDS, PRIVACY, AND RETENTION

Student Conduct records will be maintained and disclosed in accordance with applicable federal and state law, including FERPA where applicable, and College policy.

Students may request access to their conduct records in accordance with applicable law and College procedures.

The College shall maintain records of conduct investigations and outcomes for seven years unless a different retention period is required by applicable law, institutional policy, litigation hold, or another legitimate records requirement.

Conduct records should be maintained in a secure system with access limited to individuals with a legitimate educational, administrative, legal, or safety-related need to know.

 

XXIII. EXPUNGEMENT

Georgetown College values personal growth and second chances as part of the college experience. The College may provide an expungement process for eligible conduct violations.

A student may apply for expungement when the eligibility requirements established by this Code are satisfied.

Current eligibility criteria include:

  1. At least two full semesters must have passed since completion of all assigned sanctions;
  2. The student must have only one disciplinary sanction on their record;
  3. Cases involving violence, threats of violence, sexual misconduct, hazing, or harassment are not eligible; and
  4. Academic Honor System cases are not eligible under this policy.

Approval of an expungement request does not necessarily eliminate records that the College is required to retain by law, accreditation requirements, litigation hold, or another institutional obligation.

 

XXIV. RETALIATION

No person may retaliate against another person for:

  • Reporting alleged misconduct;
  • Participating in an investigation;
  • Participating in a hearing;
  • Serving as a witness;
  • Providing information;
  • Requesting an accommodation or support;
  • Exercising a right under this Code; or
  • Otherwise participating in a College conduct process.

Alleged retaliation may be addressed as a separate violation of this Code.

 

XXV. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Any individual involved in the conduct process who has an actual conflict of interest or whose impartiality could reasonably be questioned should disclose the conflict to the appropriate administrator.

The College may replace or recuse a Conduct Officer, Hearing Board member, appeal decision-maker, or other participant when necessary to preserve the integrity and impartiality of the process.
 

XXVI. EDUCATIONAL AND RESTORATIVE APPROACH

Because Georgetown College is an educational institution, conduct responses should, when appropriate, seek to help students understand:

  • What policy or community expectation was implicated;
  • Who was affected;
  • What impact resulted;
  • What responsibility the student bears;
  • What behavioral changes are necessary; and
  • What steps can be taken to repair or reduce harm.

Educational and restorative sanctions should be reasonably related to the conduct and should not be imposed merely for punitive purposes.

 

XXVII. STUDENT CONDUCT PROCESS AND OTHER COLLEGE PROCESSES

A single incident may implicate multiple College policies or processes, including but not limited to Student Conduct, Title IX, Academic Honor, Athletics, Residence Life, disability accommodations, or employment-related procedures.

The College will determine which process or combination of processes is appropriate.

The College will make reasonable efforts to avoid unnecessary duplication, conflicting directives, or inconsistent outcomes.

 

XXVIII. POLICY ADMINISTRATION

The Student Code of Conduct will be administered by the Office responsible for Student Conduct under the authority delegated by Georgetown College.

The College will periodically review this Code for consistency with:

  • Applicable federal, state, and local law;
  • Institutional policies;
  • Current educational and student-development practices;
  • Institutional mission and values; and
  • Operational experience with the conduct process.

Proposed substantive revisions should be reviewed through the College’s established governance and approval processes before becoming effective.

 

XXIX. UPDATES TO THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

The Student Code of Conduct will be maintained in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and College policies.

Updates to the Code will be proposed, reviewed, and published upon approval through the College’s established policy process.

Approved substantive changes will be communicated to the College community through appropriate College communication channels.

 

APPENDIX A

CONDUCT PROCESS AT A GLANCE

1. Report

A report of alleged misconduct is submitted to the appropriate College office.

2. Review

The College determines whether the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Student Code of Conduct and identifies applicable policies.

3. Notice

The student receives written notice of the allegation and applicable process.

4. Preliminary Meeting

The Conduct Officer explains the allegation and process and provides the student an opportunity to respond.

5. Resolution Path

Informal Resolution
When eligible and appropriate, the student may accept responsibility and complete assigned sanctions.

OR

Formal Hearing
A trained Hearing Board reviews the matter and determines responsibility using a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard.

6. Outcome

The student receives written notification of the finding and, when applicable, sanctions.

7. Appeal

An eligible student may submit an appeal within the time permitted by the Code.

8. Completion

The College monitors completion of sanctions and closes the matter when all requirements have been satisfied.

 

APPENDIX B

RECOMMENDED CONDUCT OFFICER CHECKLIST

Before each case:

□ Confirm jurisdiction
□ Identify applicable policy/provision
□ Check for conflicts of interest
□ Review report and available evidence
□ Review relevant prior conduct history
□ Determine appropriate resolution pathway
□ Send written notice
□ Explain student rights
□ Conduct Preliminary Meeting
□ Document student’s response
□ Determine responsibility under applicable procedure
□ Apply sanctioning factors
□ Provide written outcome
□ Explain appeal rights
□ Track sanctions
□ Close case upon completion

 

APPENDIX C

HEARING BOARD TRAINING STANDARDS

All Hearing Board members should receive training before serving and periodic refresher training thereafter.

Training should include:

  1. Role and authority of the Hearing Board;
  2. Student rights;
  3. Standard of evidence;
  4. Evaluating information;
  5. Relevance and reliability;
  6. Appropriate questioning;
  7. Avoiding bias;
  8. Conflicts of interest;
  9. Deliberation;
  10. Sanctioning;
  11. Educational and restorative practices;
  12. Confidentiality;
  13. Appeals; and
  14. Documentation of decisions.

 

APPENDIX D

SANCTIONING GUIDELINES

The following framework is intended as internal guidance rather than an automatic sanctioning schedule.

Educational/Developmental Responses
  • Warning
  • Reflection assignment
  • Educational course
  • Mentor meetings
  • Research/project
  • Educational referral
Accountability/Restorative Responses
  • Community service
  • Campus service
  • Restitution
  • Restorative conference
  • Harm-repair plan
  • Required change of residency
Administrative Responses
  • Probation
  • Restriction of access
  • Loss of housing
  • No-contact order
  • Deferred suspension
Severe Responses
  • Suspension
  • Dismissal
  • Expulsion

The decision-maker should consider the totality of the circumstances and the sanctioning factors contained in this Code.

No sanctioning matrix should be interpreted as requiring a predetermined outcome in an individual case.