Any disciplinary hearing may result in outcomes (singularly or in combination), including, but not limited to, those from the items below. In determining appropriate outcomes, consideration may be given to the nature of and circumstances surrounding the violation, the student’s/student group’s acceptance of responsibility, prior disciplinary violations, the impact of a outcome on the student/student group, precedent cases, university interests and any other information deemed relevant by a hearing panel/officer.
For cases resolved through the Conduct Board, all outcomes are decided by majority vote with the exception of a suspension or expulsion of an individual or de-recognition of a student group. Suspension or expulsion outcomes must be supported unanimously by a three-person panel.
Educational Projects / Initiatives
Students or student groups may be required to complete a project or a written assignment, attend an educational program, or seek assistance from the Academic Skills Instructional Program, the Writing Studio, DukeReach, or other university resources.
No Contact Directive
A student or student group may be prohibited from communicating with a named individual. When a No Contact Directive is issued, students are to have no contact by telephone, in writing, by e-mail, through Web pages, or any other communicative means, including third parties. This also includes no physical contact. Failure to comply with this order may result in disciplinary action and/or removal from campus. No Contact Directives apply to all parties involved.
Housing License Restriction/ Revocation
A student’s/student group’s privilege to live on campus may be restricted or revoked. This may include relocation, revocation for a period of time or permanent removal from the residential community. (Refunds for revocation may be denied based on HRL policies.)
Fine
Payment to Duke University of a reasonable sum of money by an individual or student group.
Mental Health / Medical Assessment And / Or Treatment
A hearing panel/officer may recommend or require a student to seek a mental health/medical assessment from CAPS, Student Health, or other appropriate professional. The hearing panel/officer will not be privy to the contents of that assessment without the permission of the student but may require verification that the assessment was completed and that the student followed through with recommendations of the professional.
Restitution
Payment for all or a portion of injury or damages to person(s) or property caused by an individual or a student group.
Withdrawal of Privileges
This may include, but is not limited to, withdrawal of the privilege to have a car on campus, park on campus, attend or participate in university programs or activities (such as sporting events, intramurals, performances, graduation exercises, host/sponsor events, etc.), or maintain computer account privileges.
Admonition
A written notice indicating violation of the specified policy(ies). While on this status, the student remains in good disciplinary standing with the university under the condition that no future violations occur. An admonition will not become a part of a student's reportable disciplinary record nor a student’s transcript.
Reprimand
A formal notice that a student or student organization’s actions violated University policy, that such actions are not acceptable in our community, and that further misconduct may result in more serious disciplinary action. Reprimand is a communication to the student or student organization that improved decision-making is expected in the future. A reprimand will not become a part of a student's reportable disciplinary record nor a student’s transcript.
Disciplinary Probation
A status imposed on a student or student group for a specific period of time during which another violation of university policy or violation of any of the conditions of the probation will be eligible for suspension. Disciplinary probation may impact a student’s eligibility to study away from Duke through the Global Education Office for Undergraduates, participate in DukeEngage, and be released early from the three-year residency requirement. For more information regarding program eligibility, for more information on this procedure, please visit the following link: https://globaled.duke.edu/about/policies.
It also may impact other opportunities in which a student’s disciplinary record is considered as a criterion for participation. Disciplinary probation may limit a student group's ability to function as an organization for a specific period of time. Once disciplinary probation has been issued for a student group, another violation of university policy or violation of any of the conditions of the probation shall result in an additional disciplinary action, including the possibility of restriction of activity and/or de-recognition.
Although disciplinary probation will become a part of a student's reportable disciplinary record, it will not result in a notation within a student’s transcript.
Restriction of Activity (Student Group)
Residential or cohesive units may be suspended for a specified time period from activities sponsored, cosponsored, performed by, or attended by its members on and/or off campus. A suspension is generally followed by disciplinary probation for a specified period of time. This outcome was formerly known as “Suspension of Activity.”
Exclusion
A student or student group may be excluded from access to or use of specified university-owned premises and/or facilities.
De-Recognition (Student Group)
The privilege of a student group to be recognized at Duke University may be suspended or revoked. This outcome was formerly known as “Dissolution.” A de- recognized group has lost all rights and privileges associated with being a recognized organization of Duke University.
Suspension
A suspension is an involuntary dismissal from the university for a specified period of time, which may include the current semester and such additional semesters as deemed appropriate by the hearing panel/hearing officer.
Returning to Duke as an undergraduate student in good standing is contingent upon satisfaction of any requirements stated in the original outcome letter. Upon a student’s return to and matriculation in the university, the student is placed on disciplinary probation for at least one semester or for as long as a hearing panel/hearing officer determines is appropriate.
Requests to return to Duke for graduate/professional students is coordinated through their respective dean. As suspension constitutes an involuntary withdrawal from the university, a permanent notation to that effect is made on the student’s permanent academic record.
A student who is suspended after having satisfied all degree requirements must submit a request to return in accordance with normal procedures, as determined by the Time Away Office. If the request to return is approved, the student’s degree will be awarded at the regular conferral date for the final semester of the suspension period. The student may not participate in commencement exercises until the return process is complete.
In the event that a disciplinary suspension and an academic withdrawal occur simultaneously, the two withdrawals are to be in effect consecutively.
Expulsion
Dismissal and permanent removal from the university without possibility of readmission or reinstatement. A permanent notation to that effect is made on the student’s permanent academic record.
Degree Revocation
A student’s degree may be revoked. In such a case, a permanent notation to that effect is made on the student’s permanent academic record.
Disciplinary Records and Student Status
When students/student groups are found responsible for a violation of university policy through an administrative or conduct board hearing, or accept responsibility through an agreement, the case will be recorded on a student’s/student group’s disciplinary record. The record will be maintained by the Office of Student Conduct and kept in accordance with FERPA. Individual disciplinary records are kept on file until a student graduates or three years from the date of the student’s matriculation (whichever occurs first), except in cases resulting in suspension or expulsion, in which disciplinary records are kept indefinitely.
Student Status Pending Final Resolution of Disciplinary Case
Until a final resolution is determined, the status of a student/student group will not change unless interim measures have been imposed to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the university community or any member of it. If as a result of interim measures, your student status changes, your eligibility to graduate or participate in commencement exercises may be impacted. A student currently on leave, suspended, or withdrawn from Duke with a pending disciplinary matter may not be eligible to seek re-entry until that matter is resolved.
Disciplinary Hold
At any time after the filing of a report, the hearing officer or designee, after consulting with a student’s academic dean, may place a disciplinary hold on the academic and/or financial records of any student pending the outcome of proceedings or enforce a disciplinary outcome. A disciplinary hold may prevent any of the following: registration, enrollment, matriculation, the release of a diploma, and/or the awarding or conferral of a degree.
Disciplinary Action While Civil/Criminal Charges Pending
Students may be accountable to both civil authorities and to the university for acts that violate local, state, or federal laws. Students are encouraged to seek advice of legal counsel when they face criminal charges. Disciplinary action through university processes concurrent with criminal action does not subject a student to “double jeopardy.”
The university operates under different policies, procedures and standards and thus, will not be bound by the findings of a court of law. If the court’s outcome satisfies the university’s interests, such outcome may be recorded on the student’s disciplinary record without invoking the university disciplinary process. Should any criminal proceeding result in a felony conviction, as a result of an incident on or off campus, the Vice Provost/Vice President for Student Affairs reserves the right to summarily dismiss a student.
University disciplinary action will normally proceed during the pendency of a criminal or civil action. A student may request, however, that the university disciplinary process be placed on hold until criminal actions are resolved. The hearing officer or designee will decide whether this request will be granted. In such a case, interim measures may be imposed. The university reserves the right to proceed with the disciplinary process at any point.