Appendix III: Definitions

Definitions

The terms “Code of Conduct” and “Student Code of Conduct” are used interchangeably.

1. “College” means Richard Bland College of William & Mary.
2. “Student,” unless otherwise indicated, includes all persons taking courses at the College, either full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate degrees or non-degree seeking students, including dual enrollment. Persons who withdraw after allegedly violating the Student Code of Conduct, who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the College, or who have applied for admission to the College are considered “students.” The Student Code of Conduct apply at all College locations.
3. “Faculty member” means any person hired by the College to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the College to be a member of its faculty.
4. “College official” includes any person employed by the College performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
5. “Member of the College community” includes any person who is a student, faculty member, administrator, or any other person employed by the College. The President or designee will determine a person’s status in any particular situation.
6. “College property” includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, leased, licensed, or controlled by the College (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).
7. “Organization” means any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for College recognition.
8. “Student Conduct Board” means any person or persons authorized by the President to determine whether a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct or Honor Code and to impose sanctions when a violation has been determined.
9. “Will” and “Shall” are used in the imperative sense.
10. “May” is used in the permissive sense.
11. An “attempt” is any act beyond mere preparation carried out with the intent to engage in conduct that violates College policies. Attempted violations may be sanctioned in the same manner as completed violations.
12. “A preponderance standard, preponderance of the evidence, or preponderance of the facts” exists when a reasonable person, after a careful balancing of available information, would conclude a violation has occurred and the student/organization charged is responsible for the violation.
13. “Policy” means any written rules, procedures, or processes of the College as found in, but not limited to, the Student Handbook, Residence Life Housing Agreement, the College website, Computer Use Policy, and College Catalog.
14. “Reporting Party” means any person who submits a charge alleging that a student violated the Student Code of Conduct or Honor Code.
15. “Respondent” means any student or student organization alleged to have violated the Student Code of Conduct or Honor Code.
16. “Working days” means any day that the College is open for business exclusive of weekends or official holidays.
17. “Consultant/Counsel” is the person a respondent may bring to a hearing for consultation or from whom the respondent may seek advice about information provided or questions asked during a hearing. This person could be an attorney if the respondent is facing criminal/civil action outside of the institution’s hearing for the purpose of advice on questions that may be self-incriminating. This person is not to argue, advocate, or present information on behalf of the respondent but only serves to help the respondent feel comfortable and to provide advice on how to behave during a hearing.
18. Campus Police means sworn personnel within the Department of Campus Safety & Police.
19. Disciplinary Written Warning is an official warning that the student’s behavior is in violation of College rules or policies, and if the student is subsequently found in violation of a rule or policy while on disciplinary warning; subsequent action may be more severe.
20. Disciplinary Probation shall be for a specific length of time in which any further violation of a College rule or policy places the student’s status at the College in jeopardy. If the student is found to have violated another College rule or policy, the more severe sanctions may be imposed, including suspension or expulsion. While on disciplinary probation, restrictive conditions may include but may not be limited to the following: loss of good standing, which may become a matter of record; denial of the privilege to occupy a position of leadership or responsibility in any College student organization, publication, or activity, or ability to represent the College in an official capacity or position; trespass of College facilities or other areas of campus or contact with another specified person(s). Under disciplinary probation, the student may continue to attend classes and is given a chance to show capability and willingness to live in accordance with College rules and policies. However, if the student is subsequently found in violation of a rule or policy while on disciplinary probation, the College may suspend or expel the student from the College. While on Disciplinary Probation, a hold will be placed on a student’s record for record keeping purposes.
21. Disciplinary Suspension. A student involved in an offense warranting consideration of action more serious than disciplinary probation or one involving repeated misconduct may face suspension. During the period of suspension, a student may not be enrolled in classes or participate in College-related activities, whether they occur on or off campus. A student under disciplinary suspension may not otherwise be present on College premises unless authorized in writing by the Provost. A notation will be placed on a student’s record during the period of suspension. Further, while on disciplinary suspension, a hold will be placed on a student’s record for record keeping purposes. All assigned educational sanctions must be completed prior to the conclusion of disciplinary suspension; otherwise the disciplinary suspension shall remain in effect.
22. Disciplinary Expulsion is a sanction which removes the student from their academic program and permanently separates a student from the College without opportunity to graduate or re-enroll at the College in the future. A notation will be placed permanently on the student’s record. Further, a hold will be placed permanently on a student’s record.
23. Educational Sanctions are assigned in conjunction with a sanction listed above for a student found to have been in violation of any of the College’s rules or policies. These sanctions include, but are not limited to reflective/research papers, classes/seminars, community service, counseling, etc. If a student has any outstanding educational requirements at the conclusion of disciplinary probation or suspension, a student’s disciplinary probation or suspension status and hold will remain in effect pending the completion of the educational requirements.