Campus Life believes that meaningful and intentional involvement in student groups is critical to the pursuit of healthy excellence. Student leaders can form stronger and more sustainable groups when they are actively engaged in the process of holding their group, and members, accountable. The University’s approach to organizational conduct is focused on education, empowerment, transparency, and timeliness to assist student leaders in repairing harm done to their organization, and/or the campus community while taking accountability for any violation or wrongdoing.
Scope of the conduct process
This process applies to the group types listed below,
| Student Union (SU) Recognized Student Groups | X |
| Campus Life Recognized Student Groups | X |
| Sorority & Fraternity Chapters | X |
*“Student Groups” throughout this process refers to all officially recognized organizations, including Student Union (SU) Recognized Groups, Student Union Entities, Campus Life Recognized Groups, and Sorority and Fraternity Chapters.
Applicable university policies and jurisdiction
All undergraduate and graduate student groups, which include University-recognized sorority and fraternity chapters, are expected to follow all University policy and guidelines, including but not limited to the Student Conduct Code (the Code), Campus Life Student Group Handbook, Residential Life, Event Management, and any other University policy that supports the operations of a student group.
For any questions or inquiries related to the interpretation of Campus Life policy, or the Student Group Conduct Process, please contact Campus Life’s Coordinator for Education and Compliance.
Scope of the student group conduct process
The Student Group Conduct Process addresses alleged violations of the Student Conduct Code and other University policies by student groups. Internal policies of student groups, Sorority and Fraternity chapters, and inter/national organizations are outside the scope of the University process. When disputes over student group internal policies or operations occur, Campus Life staff will work as needed with members of the student group and other parties they deem appropriate.
Role and limitations of internal student group/chapter accountability processes
While some student groups have established procedures that they use to determine if a member has violated a group’s expectations and/or internal polices, internal policies of student groups/chapters cannot be in conflict with University policies. Student groups are strictly prohibited from taking any investigative or other actions regarding sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other alleged violations that are the exclusive responsibility of the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office (GETIXCO).
Initiation of the student group conduct process
The Student Group Conduct Process is initiated with a written complaint. The complaint is a brief written statement describing the conduct alleged to be in violation of the Student Conduct Code for other Campus Life or University policies. Complaints may be filed against any student group by any member of the University community. Please refer to the Student Conduct Code for the definition and parameters of a complaint. Complaints which allege(s) sexual assault, sexual harassment, or gender-based discrimination and/or violence will be immediately referred to the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office. The student group will receive a Notice of Complaint. The Notice of Complaint will provide notice of the alleged violation(s) and the basic facts that form the basis for the alleged violation(s), in addition to the applicable hearing procedures.
CAMPUS LIFE
Campus Life, University policy and Student Conduct Code violations, including, but not limited to:
- Reservation and Space Policies.
- Campus Life’s Student Group Handbook.
- Residence Life Fraternity Housing Policies, Women’s Building Suite Agreements, and Addendums.
- Alcohol
- Other Applicable University Policies that Support the Operation of a Student Group.
- Violations that could lead to the potential suspension of a student group.
OFFICE OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND COMMUNITY STANDARDS
Student Conduct Code violations, including, but not limited to:
- Drugs
- Weapons
- Hazing
- Violations that could lead to the suspension or expulsion of an individual student.
- Violations that could lead to the potential suspension or expulsion of a student group.
GENDER, EQUITY AND TITLE IX COMPLIANCE OFFICE
All instances of alleged Title IX violations and any other Student Conduct Code or University policy violations that may arise out of the same set of facts and circumstances
Student group/ SFL chapter investigation and hearing process
Based on the nature of the reported alleged violation(s), a complaint against a student group will be addressed by a Student Conduct Administrator (typically Campus Life, the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, or the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office, as described in the chart below).
In any case in which a sorority or fraternity chapter is the respondent, the Student Conduct Administrator may, in their discretion, refer the matter to the Sorority and Fraternity Life Standards Board (SFLSB) for adjudication through a Panel Hearing. For a full description of the SFL Standards Board and its processes, please refer to the current operating procedures of the SFLSB. Student groups will be given an opportunity to be heard and respond to the alleged violations through their student group President or, if necessary, another group leader. The President of the student group may be shown relevant documents pertaining their case and will be afforded the opportunity to provide their perspective and narrative on behalf of the student group. The President of a group may be accompanied by a Support Person. For a full description of the Support Person role, please refer to the Student Conduct Code.
The President of a student group may either accept or dispute responsibility for any of the alleged violations listed in the notice of complaint. For any alleged violation(s) which the group does not accept responsibility, they may be investigated and adjudicated by the Student Conduct Administrator. Even if a student group admits responsibility for an alleged violation(s), an investigation may still need to occur to understand the potential impact or harm as a result of the violation(s) and determine appropriate sanctions. Feedback from a student group regarding appropriate sanctions may be taken into consideration.
Interim actions
The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Dean of Students, or their respective designees may suspend a student group for a temporary period to protect the safety and well-being of the campus community before a complaint is formally adjudicated. Interim actions levied against a student group can include, but are not limited to, a Temporary Suspension of Group Recognition, which is defined below:
Temporary suspension of group recognition
Due to the nature of alleged policy violation(s) or alleged harm, a group may be instructed to cease some or all aspects of group/chapter operations until an investigation and hearing has been completed, or until further notice. Members are prohibited from engaging in any group or University activities as a representative of the group during the duration of the Temporary Suspension. Status: Not in Good Standing.
Communication
All communication related to the Student Group Conduct process will be sent to the University email account of the President of a student group. Most of the communication and information for the case will come from Advocate, which is WashU’s current student conduct software platform. Failure to respond to an official University communication, which includes any correspondence and materials sent through Advocate, may result in additional charges under the Student Conduct Code.
Communications from the Student Group Conduct Process, which include decision letters, may copy the following offices and individuals, where appropriate:
- Additional Campus Life staff
- Additional University staff
- Advisor(s) of a student group
- Headquarters of an inter/national organization
Student group standing
Student Group Standing is defined as a student group’s status at the University. A student group is either in Good Standing or Not in Good Standing. If a student group is found responsible for violating a policy, the group’s status may be affected. The categories of standing are as follows:
- Good Standing: A student group with a status of Good Standing means that the group has no outstanding sanctions or current limitations of any kind.
- Not in Good Standing: A student group with a status of Not in Good Standing means that the group has been found responsible for one or more violations, has outstanding sanctions, and/or currently has pending limitations on their ability to operate.
Any change in group status will go into effect immediately per the date of the written decision. If a student group appeals a decision, any status change will remain until the decision regarding the appeal is reached. Once a student group successfully completes all assigned sanctions, the group’s status will return to Good Standing upon verification of sanction completion by Campus Life or another University office or as otherwise stated in the Decision.
Student group sanctions
If a student group is found responsible for violating a policy, the group will receive sanctions. Imposition of sanction may, in turn, change the group’s status at the university. Groups will work with the Coordinator for Education and Compliance to complete their sanctions. Campus Life may collaborate with relevant stakeholders of a student group to determine appropriate sanctions. Examples of sanctions include, but are not limited to:
- Warning: A written notice of a policy or Code violation finding and that a continuation or repetition of the specific violation may result in more severe sanction(s). A Warning may be used as standalone sanction
- Educational Remedies: Required activities and submissions that may include participation in educational workshops, discussions, trainings, reflective essays, community-based service, intentional referrals to University staff or offices, and interactions with a student group’s local or national office.
- Restitution: Reimbursement for actual damage or loss resulting from the violation through appropriate monetary compensation as determined by the University.
- Activity Restriction: A student group is ineligible for participation in one or more University-recognized activities for a specified period of time. This includes but is not limited to restrictions on hosting off/on campus events, attending designated activities, or participating in intake/recruitment.
- Facility Access Restriction: A student group is unable to reserve or utilize some or all University owned or leased facilities and grounds, including but not limited to housing, athletic and recreation facilities or grounds, for a specified period of time.
- Housing Probation: A student group has been found responsible for violating one or more policies related to a group-based housing agreement. This sanction serves as a notice that any further violation of the Code or other stipulations of the Housing agreement may result in termination of the student group’s Housing contract and their removal from Residential Life Housing.
- Operational Limitation: A student group is unable to utilize designated University resources or privileges a specified period of time. This includes, but is not limited to, restrictions related to the acquisition, disbursement, or usage of University/Student Union funds.
- Social Probation: A student group has been found responsible for violating one or more policies that are social in nature or engaged in actions that cause harm to the campus community. A student group on Social Probation is unable to host, or co-sponsor, any social activity that occurs on or off campus for a designated period of time. Further violation of the probationary terms can result in more severe sanctions for a student group
- Organizational Probation: A student group has been found responsible for violating more than one policy or engaged in actions that caused harm to the campus community. A student group on Organizational Probation is subjected to restrictions that can be operational in nature, social in nature, or both, for a designated period of time. Further violation of the probationary terms can result in more severe sanctions for a student group.
- Suspension: The student group is not active at WashU and will not be a recognized student group for a designated period of time and pursuant to satisfaction of certain terms and conditions of reinstatement.
- Expulsion: Due to the severity of harm and/or policy violation(s), the student group is removed from the University and is permanently no longer active at WashU.
Appeals
Appeals of Campus Life conduct decisions follow the same procedures as set forth in the Student Conduct Code.
Who to contact regarding this process:
| Process Clarification and/or Interpretation Contact(s) | ||
| Cole Fournier | Coordinator for Education and Compliance – Campus Life | cole.f@wustl.edu |
| Sarah Edmondson | Associate Director for Student Involvement – Campus Life | sarah.e@wustl.edu |
| Process Training Contact(s) | ||
| Cole Fournier | Coordinator for Education and Compliance – Campus Life | cole.f@wustl.edu |
| Sarah Edmondson | Associate Director for Student Involvement – Campus Life | sarah.e@wustl.edu |
| Approving University Official Contact(s) | ||
| Stan Sweeney | Executive Director – Campus Life | sstan@wustl.edu |