Disciplinary Actions Defined

Any disciplinary actions taken are designed to protect and preserve the educational environment of the College. If the environment is threatened by student behavior, it may be necessary to impose sanctions. A student may be accountable to both civil authorities and to the College for action which violates both the law and the Student Code of Con- duct and may have to face both criminal charges and disciplinary charges.

The following disciplinary actions will be administered according to the severity of the infraction as determined by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and/or the Disciplinary Committee:

  1. DISCIPLINARY REPRIMAND
    This may be an oral or written warning. It notifies a student that any further violation of college regulations may subject the student to more severe disciplinary actions.

  2. DISCIPLINARY PROBATION

    This is designed to encourage and require a student to cease and desist from violating college regulations. Students on probation are notified in writing and are warned that any further misbehavior on their part will lead to a more severe action.

  3. DISCIPLINARY SUSPENSION
    This excludes a student from the college for a designated period of time. While on suspension, a student will not be allowed to take any courses at the college. At the end of the designated period of time, the student must make formal reapplication for admission. Disciplinary suspension shall not result in a notation on the student’s permanent record. A notice that a student is currently on suspension and ineligible to return to Southern Union until a certain date shall be attached to the student’s file. When the student is eligible to return, the notice shall be removed.

  4. CLASS SUSPENSION
    A student may be suspended from attending class for improper behavior. Class suspensions are for the remainder of the semester, and the student will be assigned a letter grade of “F”.

  5. LIBRARY SUSPENSION

    A student may be suspended from using the library for improper or disruptive behavior in the library. Suspension will be for a period of time not to exceed the remainder of the semester.

  6. CAFETERIA SUSPENSION
    A student may be suspended from using the cafeteria for improper or disruptive behavior in the cafeteria. Suspension will be for a period of time usually not to exceed the remainder of the semester.

  7. RESIDENCE HALL SUSPENSION
    A student may be suspended from the residence hall for infraction of Residence Hall rules and regulations. Suspension will be for a designated period of time.

  8. DISCIPLINARY EXPULSION

    This is the strongest disciplinary restriction. This category of severe penalty generally indicates the recipient may not return to the College. Disciplinary expulsion normally would be the least-used disciplinary action and would be applied only to students who were guilty of chronic misbehavior or a major breach of conduct. Disciplinary expulsion shall not result in a notation on a student’s permanent record.

  9. RESTITUTION
    Payment will be assessed in the amount necessary to repair damage caused by student behavior.

  10. FEES

       Payment will be assessed in the amount of $25 for violation of the college's smoke-free and/or tobacco-free policy.