Resources for Students, Parents, and Guardians

Frequently Asked Questions

Allegation and Hearing Process

 

Who may address student behavior?

While in college, you will be confronted with multiple decisions regarding your conduct. At Washington University, there are multiple administrators who may address behavior that does not meet our expectations.

The following administrators routinely address inappropriate student behavior:

I got an initial complaint letter from the Judicial Administrator. What should I do?

RESPOND PROMPTLY! Don't ignore it! Ignoring it can result in additional charges being filed. The Office may also place a hold on your record. A hold will prevent you from registering for or dropping courses, and from obtaining an official University transcript.

Upon your receipt of an official charging letter, you should promptly contact Lora Clark, the administrative assistant for the Office of Judicial Programs.

 

What do I need to do to prepare for my meeting with the Judicial Administrator?

Be prepared to fully discuss the allegations set forth. If you want to prepare a written statement, that is also helpful.
If you have any evidence, bring it with you.
If you have witnesses, bring their contact information with you to the meeting:

Failure to be truthful in your meeting with the Judicial Administrator may result in additional judicial charges being filed.

Sanctions

What types of sanctions might be imposed upon me?

Warning

Notice of a finding. An offense has been committed and that continuation or repetition of such violation will result in more severe sanctions.

Deferred Penalty and Probation

Any of the listed sanctions may be deferred by the adjudicatory body or person for a specified time period, not to exceed two (2) calendar years. Should the student, during the period of probation, be determined to have committed another violation of this code, the deferred penalty shall take effect, in addition of the sanction imposed for any new offense.

Restitution

Reimbursement for actual damage or loss caused by the violation.

Fine

A monetary penalty of not more than $750.

Educational Remedies

 Meetings with University officials or others, service work for the University community, or other educational assignments. These possibilities include:

Mandatory Drug Testing

Disciplinary Activity Limitation

Ineligibility for participation in any or all elected and appointed positions within the University; also ineligibility for participation in all forensic, athletic, dramatic, musical, social, or other University recognized activities.

Denial of Access to Certain University Facilities

Exclusion from University owned, rented, managed or leased facilities

Most severe sanctions:

Temporary Removal from University Housing

Permanent Removal from University Housing

Suspension

Expulsion

Can more than one University official impose a sanction on me?

Yes. If you reside in University Housing, are a member of a Greek organization, or an athlete, you may have a judicial case and consequences imposed by your Residential College Director, Director of Greek Life, the Office of Student Activities, and the Athletic Department.

 

What is a "judicial hold?" What does it mean?

A judicial hold is an administrative notation on a student's internal record. It freezes a student's record, preventing him or her from registering for classes, dropping and adding courses, and obtaining an official transcript.

The Judicial Administrator places a hold on a student's record when that student fails to schedule an appointment, or fails to complete his or her sanctions by the prescribed deadlines. A hold may also be placed when a student has a matter pending before the University Judicial Board.

 

What happens to the fine money I paid?

Fine money is put into a separate University account which provides for the funding of a variety of student initiatives and special projects surrounding student conduct.

Over the years, the fund has been used for: CORE, MORE, SARAH, Greek Life projects, ResLife projects, SIL events, guest speaker fees, undergraduate student attendance at conferences, alcohol & drug education initiatives and more. The "Don't gamble with your future...Plan for it" Campaign is one highly visible project funded by fine money, introduced in the fall of 2008.

Privacy and Reporting

Will my parents or legal guardians be notified about my judicial case?

Possibly, depending on the case. Each judicial case is handled on an individual basis. Parents are not routinely contacted, but in more serious matters, the Judicial Administrator can and will notify them. Ordinarily, a student is informed prior to parental notification.

 

Will my dean, academic advisor, professor, RCD, Greek Life advisor, coach, and other administrators be notified?

In most cases, yes. The Office of Judicial Programs is concerned about each student's academic and personal success. To help students be successful, there are times when consultation with other University officials may be appropriate.

 

What is a "disciplinary file?" How long does it last? Can I do anything to erase it?

A disciplinary file, also known as a student conduct record, judicial file, or student file, contains all the information about any instance of an alleged violation the Judicial Code or any University policy, rule, or regulation.

The Judicial Administrator's disciplinary files are maintained for 10 years from the date the adjudication and sanctioning process is completed. Records of Academic Integrity Policy violations and of cases adjudicated by the University Judicial Board are maintained indefinitely.

Under no circumstances can your record be prematurely erased. Judicial records are not equivalent to "points on a driver's license." Neither the Office of Judicial Programs nor the University Student Judicial Code have an expungement policy with respect to student conduct records. The Code has a specific section entitled Record Retention which explains this.

 

What goes on my official transcript?

Your judicial outcomes do not appear on your official transcript. The only two judicial notations that appear on transcripts are suspensions and expulsions.

Undergraduate students may be suspended or expelled only after a hearing before the University Judicial Board or by an agreement reached with the University.

 

What do I have to disclose on my graduate and professional school applications?

Each application is different, and it is your responsibility to truthfully answer all graduate and professional school questions concerning disciplinary action.

If you apply to another school and it asks Wash. U. about your disciplinary record, the Office of Judicial Programs will provide general information concerning your case.

Many students with judicial matters have gone on to graduate or professional school, particularly when they can demonstrate that they have matured since the incident.

City, State, and Federal Laws

Can I face both criminal and judicial charges?

Yes. Every member of the University community must comply with University rules, regulations, and policies as well as with federal, state, and local laws. If you violate the law, you may face criminal charges and/or University judicial charges. This does not constitute double jeopardy.

 

I'm an international student. How does a judicial sanction impact my visa status?

Depending on the type of visa you have, the personnel in the University's Office for International Students and Scholars must notify the U.S. government once you have been out of school for a specified number of days.

As a result, you may be deported, you may not be permitted back in the U.S., or you may not be permitted to immediately return to the U.S. These penalties will halt or seriously delay your studies.

Please consult with the international office for more detailed information.