We prosecuted these cases just like any other criminal case that comes through our office. The most serious penalty available to the University is expulsion, which means that a student cannot ever return to the University and a permanent notation to that effect is added to his or her transcript. In addition, because the student has a disciplinary record, it is often extremely difficult for him or her to transfer to another college. Students who are suspended from the University may lose credit for the academic work they have performed and must wait a period of time before they can return to school. The suspension is marked on their transcript.
Suspension results in serious academic and financial penalties.
Other penalties the University may assess against student offenders include prohibiting them from living in residence halls on campus, and putting them on probation, which may restrict their ability to participate in co-curricular activities and, if inappropriate behavior continues, may result in more severe penalties. The timing of the cases heard on campus was coordinated with criminal proceedings so as to protect the integrity of the court cases and to permit inclusion of police information and testimony in both the criminal and disciplinary proceedings. The University's disciplinary hearings began last May against students who exhibited disruptive and dangerous behavior during University Weekend. The cases of seniors were heard first and three were prevented from graduating because of their actions during University Weekend disturbances. The University's disciplinary hearings against students who were arrested have been conducted throughout the summer.