Disciplinary Procedures

Union College prefers preventative measures which will help students avoid serious disciplinary problems. When possible, counsel, advice and minor restriction are given by administrators, residence hall deans, and/or Deans’ Council before the need arises for more formal measures. Restrictions may be imposed which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• public appearances that represent the college,

• working late night off-campus,

• possessing and operating stereo, TV or video equipment,

• living off campus (when such arrangements have been approved),

• obtaining weekend leaves except to one’s own home, and/or

• possessing and operating gaming devices, TV or video equipment,

When a student violates the rules and regulations of the college and/or civil law, a student may be:

• counseled,

• disciplined,

• or separated from the college for a definite or indefinite time.

Union College takes the position that students need to assume responsibility for their actions, thus illegal activities may be reported to local authorities.

The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT handles disciplinary cases in order to find the best path for the student. This team consists of the Dean of Students, the four residential deans, the Director of Student Success, the Director of Campus Safety, and one faculty representative. The student will be asked to provide their account of the events in question. The BIT will investigate the situation with the purpose of finding the truth. Once they have come to a conclusion, they will determine a behavioral plan for the student.

Students have the opportunity to appeal the decision made by the Behavioral Intervention Team. An appeal may be requested due to the following: process not followed, treated unfairly, or new information. The student must contact the Vice President of Student Life to request an appeals form. The appeals committee consists of the Vice President of Student Life, the Director of Integrated Marketing, the Faculty Senate Chair, and two staff representatives. This committee makes an assessment of the decision and reports their findings to the student as well as the BIT. The vice president for Student Life is responsible for the administration and evaluation of student discipline procedures.

Disciplinary actions may become part of the student’s record at the college. When college regulations are disregarded, disciplinary procedures will result. This discipline may involve suspension, withdrawal (college request), dismissal, or other serious measures and may be referred to the Deans’ Council, the vice president for Student Life, or college president. At the student’s request, he/she may attend a Deans’ Council and may be accompanied by parents, a faculty/staff member, or a fellow student. The Deans’ Council members are the vice president for Student Life, deans, faculty representatives, and head resident assistants.

A letter of warning indicates that a student has been involved in a major violation of college policy. It automatically places the recipient on citizenship probation for a designated period of time.

Citizenship probation is a serious matter. During the probationary period, (or a specified period), any or all of the following conditions may apply:

• The student’s status in the college shall be tentative.

• The student shall be disqualified from holding and/or seeking office in any college or student organization for a period equivalent to one semester.

• Public appearances may be limited.

• It is the student’s responsibility to report one’s limited status to individuals who request one’s participation in activities not permitted by one’s probationary status.

• Certain privileges may be forfeited including: working late night off campus, living off campus, obtaining weekend leaves except to one’s own home, and leaving campus without specific arrangements.

• Consultations with a counselor/staff member may be required.

• Other restrictions as specified.

When citizenship probation is necessary and after its implications have been explained to a student, he/she may be asked to sign an agreement to faithfully carry out the terms of the probation or withdraw from the college upon failure to do so.

Letter of Suspension Suspension is of three types: separation from the college for (a) a definite time, (b) an indefinite time, or (c) until a specified condition is met, after which the student may apply for reinstatement. If a student whose home is not in Lincoln is suspended and stays in the Lincoln area without permission during the suspension period, the student may be asked to withdraw from the college.

Letter of Withdrawal Serious misconduct, accumulated series of violations, or insubordinate- tion to the authority of the college may result in the student being asked by the president, vice president for Student Life, or Deans’ Council to withdraw from the college. Students who withdraw under counsel for disciplinary reasons will not be considered for readmission to the college for at least one full semester following the semester of withdrawal. A student who has been asked to withdraw is no longer eligible for college housing.

Letter of Dismissal Serious misconduct, accumulated series of violations, or insubordination to the authority of the college may result in the student being dismissed from the college by the president, vice president for Student Life, or Deans’ Council.

Letters listed above are not always sent in the order in which they have been listed. Cancellation of Readmission Suspension, citizenship probation, or a letter of withdrawal or dismissal cancel admission for the following semester. To be reconsidered, a student may reapply at the end of the semester during which the suspension occurred, but the admission decision may be deferred until the beginning of the next semester.