The Office of Ethical Development and Restorative Practices

Students studying on campus

Sanctions

Student conduct sanctions at the University of San Diego are intended to be educational, restorative, and consistent with the mission and values of the institution. Student conduct is understood to be a learning experience for students and the community. When students are found in violation of the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities, efforts are made to reconcile the student to the community via active accountability, self-awareness, and learning new knowledge and skills. A list of sequential sanctions indicates USD’s effort to use educational and restorative measures before resorting to deterrent measures and separation from the institution. The sanctions listed below may be applied separately or in combination and are grounded in best practices and USD's student success model. Other appropriate sanctions, which would enhance the educational and restorative value of conduct proceedings, may be applied in a given case.

In addition to the sanctions imposed under the University conduct system, individual faculty members are vested with the power to lower a student's grade on a paper, exam, or other graded product and for the course as a whole for academic dishonesty.

#1

Educational and Supportive Measures

USD’s response to violations of policy is to provide education, counseling, and social support to ensure students understand the rules. USD believes students are capable of learning and changing through education.

  1. Warning
    Written or oral notification that certain conduct or actions are in violation of University policies, rules, or procedures and that continuation of such conduct or actions may result in further disciplinary action.

  2. Parent or Guardian Notification
    Parents or guardians may be notified of a violation of the Code and the assigned sanction, if the student is under 21 years of age.

  3. Educational Sanctions
    A requirement to conduct research, complete a reading and response paper, prepare and present a program, attend an educational program, seek coaching/counseling, or engage in other educational activities related to the violation.
#2

Restorative Justice

Violations of the code of conduct may result in harm to individuals and the community. Restorative justice responses help students identify and make amends for harm they have caused. USD believes students are capable of acknowledging harm, expressing remorse, and making ethical decisions.

  1. Apology

    Written apology to any person harmed.

  2. Restitution

    Reimbursement for damage to, or misappropriation of property or cost of University resources. This may take the form of monetary or material replacement not in excess of the loss incurred.

  3. Community Service

    Community service serves two important goals: making amends to the community and demonstrating prosocial behavior and rebuilding community trust.

#3

Deterrence

USD believes students are capable of making decisions based on a cost/benefit analysis. Deterrence measures are used to discourage misconduct based on the cost of the consequences for engaging in it.

  1. Fines

    Payment of a specific amount of money as determined by the circumstances of a particular case.

  2. Loss of Privileges

    Limitation on University-related activities or services for a specific period of time, consistent with the offense committed, including but not limited to:

    1. Eligibility to serve as an officer or member of any University organization, to participate in intercollegiate competition or to receive any award from the University;
    2. Housing probation;
    3. Removal from housing;
    4. Loss of ability to live off campus;
    5. Restriction from using specific facilities and services;
    6. Denial of on-campus use of an automobile;
    7. Hold on enrollment;
    8. Hold on forwarding personal records to external institutions or individuals until satisfactory completion of disciplinary sanctions.
  3. University Probation

    A designated period of time that allows for developmental monitoring and the probability of more severe and significant sanctions, including suspension or expulsion, if the student is found in violation of any institutional policies during the probationary period.

#4

Separation

Separation refers to the need to ensure a safe learning environment that is aligned with the University’s educational mission. Repeated or severe violations jeopardize the student’s continued membership in the University community.

  1. Non-academic Suspension

    A designated period of time during which a student may attend only classes and other academic activities. Academic activities will be defined by the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students or their designee.

  2. Suspension

    Separation of the student from the University community for a designated period of time, which may include specific requirements that must be fulfilled prior to reinstatement within the University community.

  3. Expulsion

    Permanent separation of the student from the University.