Disciplinary Policies
Voorhees University has a carefully outlined disciplinary system, with sanctions that can include anything from a formal reprimand to public service to expulsion. It’s designed to ensure that no student’s right to an education are violated due to the actions of another. It’s set up to make sure the atmosphere at Voorhees is safe and comfortable for everyone.
Depending on what the issue is, officials who might be involved in the process include the Residential Hearing Board, Judicial Council, other hearing officers and the vice president for student affairs.
Most of our students never are involved in this system, and we’re hoping you won’t be either. But in case you are, here’s a quick look at our disciplinary policies. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive document.You’ll find complete information in the following two volumes of the Voorhees University Policy Manual:
Volume II:Â Campus Comuunity & External Affair Policies
Volume V:Â Student Life& Athletic Policies
Residential Hearing Board
Residence directors may handle infractions occurring in the residence halls. In such cases where the facts are in dispute, cases may be referred to the Residential Hearing Board or the director of residential life and housing. The Residential Hearing Board or director will forward decisions and recommendations to the vice president for student affairs, whose decision is final.
Judicial Council
Serious infractions will be referred to the Judicial Council. This committee reports its decisions and recommendations to the vice president for student affairs. While the president can review any matter, decisions of the vice president for student affairs are considered final. The Judicial Council is composed of four faculty members, two members appointed by the President, and three students appointed by the Student Government Association.
The Vice President for Student Affairs
The vice president for student affairs is responsible for establishing, monitoring and enforcing regulation governing student life. Anyone can refer a matter to the vice president for student affairs. The vice president then will refer the matter to the appropriate hearing body. The vice president’s decisions are final in cases from the Residence Hall Councils and the Judiciary Council. The president, however, can review any matter in the disciplinary process.
If the welfare of the University will be hurt while awaiting the outcome of the judicial or review process, the vice president can resolve the matter in the most expeditious manner possible. Those steps can include referring a case directly to the Judicial Council or any other hearing authority, including the chief of security, the Residential Hearing Board or the director of residential life and housing.
Sanctions Overview
Any member of the university community can file charges against any student. The charges must be filed in writing with the vice president for student affairs. From there, a disciplinary hearing usually is held, though sometimes all parties involved will reach an agreement without a hearing.
Campus Standards and Expectations
The following listing is not comprehensive, but is intended to give the student an idea of the types of behavior that may result in disciplinary responses. Refer to your Student Handbookfor more details and for information about possible punishment.
Academic Dishonesty
Cheating, plagiarism and fabrication, of work, all or any part of which was developed in response to the assignment of an instructor.
Aiding, Abetting, or Conspiring/Complicity
Being present when another student violates policy and not doing anything to stop the violation.
Alcoholic Beverages/Intoxication
Consumption, distribution, possession, sale, or manufacture of alcoholic beverages on campus. Disorderly conduct resulting from the use of intoxicants is grounds for disciplinary action regardless of whether consumption took place on or off campus.
Carnal Affection
Expressions of a sexual nature that would offend or create significant discomfort. Sexual acts, no matter the genders or status of consent in the residence hall, any public venue, or where others might be readily aware.
Children on Campus
All childcare in classrooms is prohibited. Child care is also prohibited in residence halls and university facilities. Children are not permitted to visit resident’s rooms or loiter in hallways.
Cohabitation
Living with a non-related person, no matter the gender, for the purpose of carnal affection is prohibited.
Committing a City, State or Federal Crime
All students are required to abide by the laws of the local state, national and foreign governments in the case of Voorhees University-related travel abroad.
Computer/Keys/Equipment/Property/Facilities Misconduct
Misuse of computer resources is a serious breach of student ethics, possibly the law as well.
Computer Harassment
Using the computer to annoy, harass, terrify, intimidate, threaten, or offend another person by conveying obscene language, pornographic pictures, or other materials or threats of bodily harm. Using a computer to disrupt or damage academic, research, administrative, or related pursuits of another.
E-mail
Use of the e-mail system for the distribution of chain letters and other broad-based unsolicited propaganda.
Damage or Destruction to Property
Vandalism, malicious damage, or accidental damage to property belonging to Voorhees University or others on campus.
Dangerous Practices/Reckless Behavior
Endangering the lives or safety of yourself or others.
Dishonesty of Any Kind
Cheating, fraud or knowingly furnishing false information to the university. Also forgery, alteration, or misuse of University documents, records or identification cards.
Disorderly Conduct/Disrespect for Others
Disruptive behavior on campus or at any off-campus function.
Disruption or Obstruction of Academic Process
Intentional disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other institutional activities, or the inciting others to do the same.
Egregious Behavior
Acts of disrespect/misconduct such as assault and/or cursing a university official.
Failure to Comply with Directions of University Officials
Refusal to comply with clearly stated policies or directions issued by any university official acting in the performance of his or her duties, including RA’s and security personnel.
Failure to Comply with Sanctions/Penalties
Refusal to comply with sanctions/penalties imposed by any of the campus-based judicial officers or judicial bodies.
Fireworks
Possession or use of fireworks of any variety on all university-owned or leased property or at any university-sponsored activity.
Forgery/Falsification of Records
Providing false identification or information to Voorhees University officials. The forgery or unauthorized alteration or unauthorized use of any Voorhees document.
Gambling
To play a game of chance and/or make wagers, for money or anything of value.
Harassment/Physical Threat or Abuse
Verbal, physical, written or mental abuse, threats, abuse of personal property, public incrimination, defamation of character or stalking.
Hazing
Inflicting physical violence on any individual; any activity calculated to embarrass, harass, or impose physical, emotional, or mental strain on any individual; or any activity that would in any way jeopardize the physical, moral, or scholastic wellbeing of any individual.
Illegal Drugs
Distribution, possession, sale, manufacture, or medically unsupervised use of illegal drugs.
Illegal Visitation in Residence Hall
Being in restricted areas when visitation privileges are not in effect.
Infraction of Established Residence Hall/Council Regulations
Misuse of residence hall keys, disruptive behavior, excessive noise/music or use of obscene language in residence halls.
Lewd and Indecent Conduct
Lewd, indecent, profane and vulgar language, writing, expression or behavior (to include dress), indecent exposure, and/or possession and/or viewing of pornographic materials on university property or at functions sponsored or supervised by the university or one of its
Littering
Intentionally dropping, discarding, throwing, or otherwise disposing of refuse
Misuse of Telephones
Unauthorized use or destruction of telephones located on the Voorhees University campus; use of con-campus telephones for illegal purposes or in an illegal manner.
Pets and Animals
Keeping or possessing any animal in the residence hall.
Physical Altercations
Physical abuse, threats, or physical violence.
Profanity
Use of vulgar and profane language; including, but not limited to, cursing a university official.
Rape
Carnal knowledge of a man or woman without his or her consent.
Sexual Misconduct
Any person afflicted with a sexually transmitted disease who shall knowingly transmit, assume the risk of transmitting, or do any act which will probably or likely transmit such disease to another person. Also includes rape, sexual assault and harassment.
Setting a Fire/Arson
Lighting a fire without authorization; fire setting in an occupied building; fires set with the intention of destroying property.
Slander
Defaming another’s character through false information.
Tampering With Fire/Door Alarms, Smoke Detectors/Fire Extinguishers
Tampering with, discharging, or removing fire alarms, fire extinguishers exit signs or other safety equipment and giving false alarms.
Theft/Stealing and/or Possession of Stolen or Lost Property
Unauthorized taking or keeping of university property, items rented, leased or placed on the campus, property leased by the university, items belonging to other students, faculty, staff, or guests of the university; using another student’s identification.
Trespassing
Unauthorized presence on any Voorhees property; unauthorized visitation in residence halls.
Unauthorized Entry
Entering into any university building or facility without authorization.
Unbecoming Conduct
Conduct not in keeping with the values of the Voorhees University community.
Vandalism
Destroying, defacing, damaging property owned or leased by the university, or property belonging to students, faculty, staff or guests of the university.
Weapons
The possession, whether openly or concealed, of guns or other weapon including, but not limited to, firearms, explosives, BB guns, throwing stars, ammunition, sling shots, knives, and any other weapon of any kind.
Rights and Responsibilities of Students Subject to Disciplinary Hearings
All Voorhees students accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct shall be granted due process rights. These steps include written notification of the charges, a hearing and the right to present a defense. The student can be accompanied by a lawyer, family member, faculty or staff or other advisor during the hearing, which is closed to the public. The student is entitled to written notification of the results of the hearing.
In cases adjudicated by the Residential Hearing Board or the Director of Residential Life and Housing, the student shall have the right to appeal the decision to the vice president for student affairs.
Victim’s Rights
When a member of the Voorhees University community has been the victim of an alleged act of misconduct, the victim should expect that the judicial body shall respond in a caring, sensitive manner that allows the victim to utilize the judicial process unimpeded, while still maintaining the rights of the accused student.
In cases such as sexual assault, physical assault, hazing, and harassment, victims have the right to information about the campus judicial process. They will be notified in writing of heating dates. They have the right to present information and witnesses. Victims may have a counselor present with them during any proceedings. Victims also will be told of any counseling that might be available.
Residential Hearing Board and Judicial Council Proceedings
When a case is referred to the Residential Hearing Board or the Judicial Council, students will be notified of the charges and of the hearing date, time and place. The accused is not required to testify or even be present, but the Residential Hearing Board/Judicial Council will its decision/ recommendation based upon evidence and testimony. The student has the right to be assisted by an advisor from the University community, (a student, faculty member or an administrative employee of his/her choice), but lawyers will not be permitted.
Sanction Responses
Active Avoidance Agreement
A student agrees to actively refrain from any and all contact with a particular student.
Campus Service
A student way is directed to complete a specified service task or number of service hours on Voorhees University campus grounds. A student may be charged $10 an hour for every hour of uncompleted service if they leave the university prior to completion of the service or do not complete the campus service by the specified deadline.
Community Service
At the discretion of the adjudicating body, a student may be required to complete a specified
service task or number of service hours for a Denmark or Bamberg community service agency. A student may be given additional hours, fines, and/or reappear before a disciplinary body if the community service is not completed by the assigned time.
Counseling Referral
In certain instances, a student may be referred to counseling services available through Voorhees University.
Disciplinary/Social Probation
This action implies a middle status between good standing at the institution and suspension or dismissal. Participation in extracurricular activities may be prohibited during the term of probation. Active involvement or leadership in student organizations is prohibited. This step is generally used for repeated minor infractions as well as serious infractions.
Educational
Students may be required to write research papers, conduct interviews, respond to journal articles or fulfill other such educational responses.
Expulsion/Dismissal
Expulsion terminates student status with the university permanently.
Growth Initiative
A policy that grants the student immunity from punitive discipline if he or she initiates a request for help and evidences a contrite heart.
Interim Suspension
Students can be suspended while awaiting hearings if university officials believe that the presence of a student may cause danger to other students and/or the university community.
Letter of Reprimand/Warning/Censure
In instances of less serious deviations, the student may be censured or warned of the possible consequences of continuing such behavior. No official action is taken unless or until similar misconduct or other unacceptable conduct occurs subsequently.
Medical/Psychological Leave of Absence
Continued enrollment and/or re-admission may be withheld for medical and/or psychological
reasons.
Residence Hall Probation
This status places restrictions on students until they demonstrate that their conduct is again worthy of good standing.
Residence Hall Suspension
Suspension from the residence hall for a specific period of time. This action normally takes place in cases of severe or repeated misconduct.
Restitution
Restitution may be required to replace, repair, or make compensation for property belonging to the university or a member of the University community. Restitution also can reimburse an individual for expenses or losses incurred as a result of the actions of the accused.
Stop Order
A stop order is placed on a student who has unfinished business with a university official or
department such as campus/community hours, fines, a balance on his/her account; unreturned university equipment, uniform, books, etc. A stop order prohibits a student from accessing transcripts, receiving degrees or registering for class.
Suspension
Suspension constitutes involuntary separation from the University community for a specified period of time or until a stated condition is met.
Suspension/Expulsion Procedures
A student who has been suspended or expelled, either verbally or in writing, must leave the
campus within 24 hours.
Appeal Process
When a student believes that there has been procedural shortcomings; evidentiary issues or some basis for bias regarding the alleged action, the student can file a written request for an appeal to the vice president for student or academic affairs within three working days after written notice of the decision is given to the student or sent to his/her last known address.
Disciplinary Files and Records
Disciplinary records are kept in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Disciplinary records shall be made available to judicial bodies and university officials designated in the Student Code of Conduct as necessary. Students may arrange to review their own disciplinary records by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Except as provided in the Student Code of Conduct or pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena, the University shall not communicate a student’s disciplinary record and related information to any person or agency without the prior written consent of the student.
Notification to Parents of Disciplinary Action
The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs shall notify the parents of dependent students who are formally charged with a violation of the Voorhees University Student Code of Conduct. A copy of the letter containing the official charge and directive to the student to attend a scheduled administrative hearing will be sent to parents of dependent students.
