Student Conduct Policy
I. Vision
Wheaton College desires that students pursue holy living described in the Community Covenant from a heart of gratitude for the patience and kindness of God’s love in Christ Jesus. The Community Covenant applies God’s truth in Scripture to foster a learning environment that educates the whole person for Christ and His Kingdom through liberal arts and graduate programs. In voluntarily joining the Wheaton College community, students are choosing to love God and each other with the patience and kindness with which He loves them, which includes exercising freedom responsibly and with sensitivity to one another’s needs; this kind of love is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. By joining the Wheaton community, students also freely and willingly accept the responsibilities outlined in the Wheaton College Community Covenant and Student Handbook.
As Christians, we too will fail at times to exercise freedom responsibly. These failures may be as a result of an offense against God’s Word, an offense against the agreement made with members of the Wheaton College community (i.e., Community Covenant), an offense against state and/or federal law, and/or an offense against a Wheaton College policy in the Student Handbook.
Romans 12:5 says, “we belong to one another.” Therefore, members of the Wheaton College community should expect fellow members to lovingly speak the truth about their offenses in a spirit of encouragement to return to love and good deeds. The good news of the Gospel is that restoration follows acknowledgement of wrongdoing. Wheaton believes we can show students God’s love and care for them through the College’s response to their offenses against members of the College community and/or against the College, in the spirit of guidance found in I Corinthians 6:1-8. Whenever appropriate, the College’s response to a student offense against a member of the College community will include encouragement to meet with the member(s) against whom an offense has been committed, in the spirit of the guidance found in Matthew 18:15-20. The College views its responses to student offenses as ministry opportunities, which the Lord can use for His glory, for students’ personal growth, and for the wellbeing of the campus community.
II. Introduction
Honoring one’s word to pursue the vision for holy life together described in the Community Covenant and to hold each other accountable to the Student Handbook’s expectations is a shared responsibility for every member of the community. However, the Dean of Residence Life or designee has been given disciplinary authority and responsibility for student misconduct as defined in the Student Handbook.
College personnel seek to humbly exercise their God-given authority with the help of the Holy Spirit by: praying for and maintaining respect for individuals; seeking to facilitate learning and growth through reflection; giving direction and encouragement for desirable behavior outlined in Scripture, the Community Covenant, and/or Student Handbook; seeking to balance justice and mercy in student conduct outcomes; and by promoting restoration between individuals as well as between individuals and the community.
The College’s procedures for addressing academic misconduct by students are set forth in the Academic Integrity Policy.
The Student Handbook outlines the College’s expectations related to student conduct. Students who enroll at Wheaton College agree to follow the student conduct expectations when classes are in session and/or when participating in any College program on or off campus. Failure to follow the student conduct expectations outlined in the Student Handbook will constitute student misconduct.
Where the College determines that a report or complaint arguably implicates more than one type of misconduct under the College's policies, the Dean of Residence Life or designee will explore all such possibilities as part of the Initial Review and determine, in its discretion, which review or adjudication procedure shall apply to alleged misconduct. The College may also modify any applicable procedures during a specific investigation or adjudication, as circumstances warrant.
III. Reporting Misconduct
Students are encouraged to self-report their own misconduct to any staff member in Student Development (i.e., Athletics, Equity & Title IX, Residence Life, Student Engagement), to seek help and support. The College encourages students to walk in the freedom that can follow self-reporting misconduct. When a student self-reports violating the vision for holy life together described in the Community Covenant or a Student Handbook policy, the College will respond with care and support resources as well as with a reduced consequence when appropriate to honor the student initiating acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
If students address misconduct with each other and the misconduct stops, then a further response from the College may not be necessary, depending on the nature of the offense.
If student misconduct comes to the attention of Student Development employees in Athletics, Equity & Title IX, Residence Life, or Student Engagement when classes are in session, and/or related to student participation in any College program on or off campus, the information about the misconduct is expected to be shared with the Dean of Residence Life or designee in an effort to foster communication and consistency in the adjudication of potential Student Handbook policy violations.
If student misconduct comes to the attention of other college employees, (i.e., faculty as well as staff who work outside Student Development) they are encouraged to consult with the Dean of Residence Life or designee to explore follow-up options.
Suspected acts of criminal misconduct may also be reported to law enforcement authorities directly or with the assistance of Wheaton College Public Safety.
Student conduct matters are considered confidential by College leaders and will only include College employees not directly involved on a need-to-know basis.
Reported misconduct related to discrimination, harassment, and/or sexual misconduct based on a protected status, or related to child abuse or neglect, must be reported by employees except staff in the Counseling Center and Student Health Services and ordained ministers in the Chaplain’s Office, as provided in the College’s Nondiscrimination Policies and Procedures described in that document.
IV. Student Employee Misconduct
Misconduct by student employees during Christmas break and/or summer break when classes are not in session, when students are not participating in a College program on or off campus, and/or when students are not living on campus, will be reported to Human Resources and adjudicated under the policies of the Employee Handbook under the guidance of the student employee’s supervisor(s) and/or Human Resources.
Adjudication outcomes of student employee misconduct will be shared with the Dean of Residence Life or designee, will become part of a student’s conduct history, and may initiate additional requirements to report to other departments, depending on the other expectations to which the student agreed (e.g., student leader, ROTC, academic scholarship, athletics).
V. Initial Review
The Dean of Residence Life or designee will organize an Initial Review to learn more about alleged student misconduct reports that may violate the Student Handbook or Community Covenant.
The goal of the Initial Review is to gather information regarding the situation, and to allow the student(s) to share information and perspective regarding how/if the alleged situation occurred. The Initial Review may include an interview with a complainant and/or witnesses as well as with alleged respondents and may include a request for a written statement. Student(s) will be given the opportunity to share any information that may support their perspective. Students are expected to engage with truthful cooperation when asked to discuss their behavior and/or the names and behaviors of others they may have witnessed; a lack of cooperation may lead a student to being held accountable through the Noncompliance Policy.
A student is presumed not responsible for violating college policy during the Initial Review.
The Dean of Residence Life or designee has the freedom, at any time, to refer a matter to the Hearing Panel for Student Conduct, even if the student wishes to have the matter resolved after the Initial Review.
In addition, the College reserves the right to designate certain matters as a “sensitive matter”. A sensitive matter is designated when allegations involve information that is highly private and sensitive to the respondent and/or witnesses.
At the end of the Initial Review, the student is informed about the next step in the conduct process.
Other College personnel (e.g., Residence Director, Graduate Resident Advisor, Resident Assistant, Coach, Faculty Advisor, or Supervisor) may be invited by the Dean of Residence Life or designee and/or by the alleged respondent to participate in the Initial Review and any subsequent meetings. The presence of other College personnel is designed to provide support during and after meetings.
VI. Conduct Determination
The goal of the Conduct Determination is to consider if the information discovered during the Initial Review meets the standard of proof (see section IX) to determine if the student violated college policy. If a student is found responsible for a violation, the nature of the situation, the student’s response to the situation, the student’s disciplinary history at the College, as well as the impact of the situation on the campus community will then be considered to determine an appropriate sanction.
The Dean of Residence Life or designee may invite input from other College leaders during the Conduct Determination.
The Dean of Residence Life or designee (or designee) concludes the Conduct Determination with a letter documenting the findings and the sanction(s) as well as the appeal procedures. The potential impact of the outcome on other aspects of campus life (e.g. student leadership, athletics, student employment, housing, study abroad, graduate school applications, financial aid) are also outlined.
VII. Serious Misconduct
The Dean of Residence Life or designee will determine whether alleged misconduct is considered serious. Factors for determining whether alleged misconduct is serious includes but are not limited to:
- The impact of behavior on the community;
- Whether the behavior caused or could likely have caused physical, emotional, and/or psychological harm;
- Whether the behavior resulted in property damage; and/or
- Whether the behavior was criminal in nature.
Alleged misconduct that could constitute a serious policy violation includes but is not limited to the manufacture and/or distribution of any illegal drug, bullying, and hazing depending on the other expectations to which the student agreed (e.g., student leader, ROTC, academic scholarship, athletics).
The Dean of Residence Life or designee should be consulted if a member of the Wheaton College community is aware of alleged misconduct but is unsure if such misconduct is viewed as serious.
The College’s responses to all alleged serious student misconduct will be facilitated and/or coordinated by the Dean of Residence Life or designee. Therefore, no team, group, staff member, or faculty member should take independent action to address serious student misconduct.
VIII. Disability Related Accommodations
If a student involved in a student conduct case has a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, they are entitled to accommodations to ensure equal access throughout the student conduct process. The student must be registered with Learning & Accessibility Services (LAS) and must contact LAS in a timely manner to seek accommodations for the student conduct process. LAS will review the request and, if approved, communicate with the student as well as the Dean of Residence Life or designee as well as the chair of the Hearing Panel regarding what accommodations are required. Examples may include but are not limited to: accessible formats for audio versions of text, extra time to review evidence or prepare a response, modified meeting formats, sensory breaks, physical access, or consultation from LAS.
IX. Standard of Proof
The College uses the preponderance of evidence standard of proof when determining if a policy violation occurred. The preponderance standard of evidence means that the facts/evidence is more probable than not to be true.
X. Interim Action
If the College determines at any stage that a student(s) being reviewed for potentially violating College policy poses a threat to self or others, or to the stability and continuance of the College’s operations, and/or has allegedly engaged in serious misconduct (see section XIII), the College may, in its sole discretion, require the student to move out of College housing, withdraw or take a Leave of Absence, or otherwise restrict the student’s access to and movement about the campus, which could include but is not limited to class attendance, participation in nonacademic campus groups, campus employment, and/or the opportunity to complete coursework on and/or off campus.
Any interim action shall become effective immediately upon delivery of oral and/or written notification to the student. Interim action shall not affect the student’s right to a prompt review consistent with the Student Conduct Policy. Such interim action shall continue until rescinded by the Dean of Residence Life or designee and communicated in written or oral form to the student.
Suspected acts of criminal misconduct may also be reported to law enforcement authorities by the Dean of Residence Life or designee.
XI. Criminal Charges
If a student is charged with committing a crime, the student may be ineligible to participate in co-curricular and/or extracurricular activities, including but not limited to athletics, conservatory, and leadership positions, until the criminal charges are resolved, at the earliest. The student’s employment on campus may also be impacted by a criminal charge.
XII. Appeal Procedures
XIII. Retaliation Prohibited
No one may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right established by this Policy or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Policy.
Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including charges against an individual for violations of College policies that arise out of the same facts or circumstances under this Policy constitutes retaliation.
The exercise of rights protected under the First Amendment does not constitute retaliation prohibited under this section.
Complaints alleging retaliation will be processed under the Student Conduct Policy.
XIV. Sanctions in Response to Student Misconduct
If the Dean of Residence Life or designee has determined through a Conduct Determination that a violation of a College policy or the Community Covenant has occurred, the Dean of Residence Life or designee will then determine an appropriate sanction as well as requirements and may offer to orally explain to the student the details of the response. Most conduct sanctions and requirements given by the Dean of Residence Life or designee will be followed with written notification to the student.
If a Hearing Panel has determined a violation of a College policy or the Community Covenant has occurred after considering a matter referred to it by the Dean of Residence Life or designee, the Hearing Panel has authority to assess the sanction(s) and requirements that it deems are in the best interests of the student(s) and the institution. The conduct sanctions and requirements given by a Hearing Panel will be provided to the Dean of Residence Life or designee who will communicate the outcome to the student.
In cases involving serious policy violations, a Hearing Panel for a “sensitive matter” (See Section III in the Student Conduct Hearing Panel Procedures), may be appointed to determine the appropriate sanction and requirements in response to the misconduct.
Factors to be considered in determining sanctions for student misconduct include but are not limited to the seriousness of the alleged offense, the student’s response when confronted, the student’s conduct history, and the impact of the conduct on individuals as well as on the larger community.
Before determining an appropriate response, the Dean of Residence Life or designee will seek to understand the student from the perspective of those staff members who oversee the student’s living environment and/or co-curricular involvement, and/or professors who oversee the student’s coursework respectively.
College sanctions and requirements are independent of other responses that may be imposed because of any civil action or criminal prosecution. The sanctions and requirements listed below are not exhaustive but are merely designed to serve as guidelines. Responses may be imposed in any combination.
Possible sanctions in response to misconduct are organized in order of least to most restrictive:
1. Verbal Warning
A personal conversation will be facilitated with the student to discuss inappropriate behaviors and/or attitudes as well as to identify expected behaviors and/or attitudes.
2. Written Warning
A student may be subject to a written warning regarding a specific incident or violation that also identifies expected behaviors and/or attitudes Documentation is kept in the student’s educational record maintained by Student Development.
3. Probation
Probation is the highest-level warning status in response to a violation of College policy, for a specific time-period, during which a student’s behavior is subjected to examination and evaluation. The student is permitted to remain on campus.
Student leadership position forfeit
Misconduct by a student leader when attending classes, participating in a College program, and/or when actively fulfilling an agreement to serve results in the student forfeiting the leadership position.
Documentation
Permanent documentation of a probation outcome is included in a student’s educational record maintained by Student Development, which may be requested by other colleges, universities, seminaries, and/or employers to be disclosed in response to applications.
4. Suspension
Suspension is defined as an involuntary separation from the College for a specified length of time in response to a violation of College policy.
Short-term suspension
Students suspended for two weeks or less will be required to leave campus at their expense and will also experience the impact of unexcused class and chapel absences.
Long-term suspension
The student will be involuntarily withdrawn from classes if the suspension is longer than two weeks while classes are in session, while also being required to move out of campus housing and leave campus at their own expense.
- Campus ban. The student is prohibited from visiting as well as participating in campus life, including college sponsored events hosted off-campus.
- Documentation. Permanent documentation of suspension is included in the student’s educational record maintained by Student Development, which may be requested by other colleges, universities, seminaries, and/or employers to be disclosed in response to applications.
- Potential refunds. A possible tuition refund, for students suspended for longer than two weeks, is based on the day the final decision is made to involuntarily withdraw a student by the Dean of Residence Life or designee. The Registrar's Calendar gives further information about the tuition refund schedule. Room and board refunds are determined by Housing Services based on the last day on campus for those students living on campus. No refunds are issued to students who are suspended for up to two weeks.
5. Expulsion
Expulsion is defined as permanent separation from the College in response to a violation of College policy.
Involuntary withdrawal
The student is involuntarily withdrawn from classes and is required to move out of campus housing.
Campus ban
The student is prohibited from visiting as well as participating in campus life, including College-sponsored events hosted off-campus.
Documentation
Permanent documentation is included in a student’s educational record maintained by Student Development, which may be requested by other colleges, universities, seminaries, and/or employers to be disclosed in response to applications.
Potential refunds
A possible tuition refund is based on the day the final decision is made to involuntarily withdraw a student by the Dean of Residence Life or designee. The Registrar's Calendar gives further information about the tuition refund schedule. Room and board refunds are determined by Housing Services based on the last day on campus for those students living on campus.
Possible requirements in addition to any of the sanctions listed above
1. Confiscation of Prohibited Property
Items that are in violation of College policy will be confiscated. Prohibited items may be returned to the owner at the discretion of the Dean of Residence Life or designee or Public Safety.
2. Educational Requirement
Requirement to attend, read, write, present and/or participate in a program related to the violation.
3. Parent Notification.
The Dean of Residence Life or designee may require students to notify their parents or legal guardians about the misconduct. The student will be expected to direct their parents to contact the Dean of Residence Life or designee for a discussion to eliminate any surprise should future disciplinary action become necessary and to empower parents to encourage their students.
4. Loss of Recognition
The College may determine whether any or all the awards the student(s) received from the College for that year may be retracted.
5. Fines/Restitution.
A student may be subject to fines for policy violations and behaviors, particularly those causing harm to property, expenses to the College, or disruption to the processes of the College.
6. Community Service
Some students will be required to serve the College or another entity without compensation as a response to a violation or to repair any damages that occurred.
7. Behavioral Requirement
Behavior requirements may be included for students to reflect on motivations underlying a policy violation through activities including, but not limited to, meeting with a mentor, writing an apology letter, and/or accountability meetings with someone identified by the Dean of Residence Life or designee.
Behavioral requirements may also include Interim Action to allow for the potential of mental health-related treatment, such as counseling, substance abuse screening, psychiatric evaluation (with a psychiatrist), and/or psychological testing (with a psychologist), along with the expectation of following the recommendations of the treating profession(s) as well as a signed release for the recommendations to be shared with an identified Wheaton College office.
8. Restrictions/Reassignment
The College may impose visitation and/or no contact restrictions or otherwise restrict or limit a student’s movement on campus. The College also reserves the right to reassign student housing, restrict a student from attending some or all their courses in person, and/or withdraw a student from one or more courses.
9. Housing eligibility
Future eligibility to live in campus owned apartments and houses or to receive off campus permission may be restricted.
10. Off-campus program eligibility
The privilege of participating in study abroad programs, attending conferences with other campus members, and/or representing the College at an official function, etc. may be restricted.
11. Suspension of Campus Activity
The leader(s) of the relevant campus group(s) will be notified by the Dean of Residence Life or designee regarding a student group member in violation of college policy and potential restriction from participating for a specified length of time.
If the Dean of Residence Life or designee believes that group or team misconduct may merit temporary or permanent suspension of all team or group activities, including loss or forfeiture of games or performances, whether to impose this recommended requirement must be referred to the Senior Administrative Cabinet for a final decision.