Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1720-03-03-.05 - PENALTIES

(1) Disciplinary penalties are primarily intended to educate students and student organizations about appropriate behavior, encourage students and student organizations to take responsibility for misconduct, promote the personal and professional development of students, discourage other students and student organizations from violating the Standards of Conduct, and protect members of the University community. The penalties imposed should be appropriate for the particular case based on the gravity of the offense (including without limitation how the violation affected or reasonably could have affected other members of the University community). Efforts are made to keep penalties consistent with those applied to similar cases. In recognition of the fact that the University is an educational institution with a rehabilitative point of view, penalties are assessed in accordance with conditions accompanying each offense. Consideration may also be given to the student's or student organization's conduct record; the student's or student organization's responsiveness to the conduct process; whether the student acted in self-defense, and, if so, whether the amount of force used was reasonable under the circumstances; student academic classification; and other aggravating or mitigating factors. Penalties may be applied retroactively to the date of the offense. Intoxication or impairment because of alcohol, drugs, chemicals, or other substances does not diminish or excuse a student violation of the Standards of Conduct. Additionally, official violation notifications are given by the appropriate office, and official records are maintained in that office.

(2) The following penalties may be imposed on any student found to have violated the Standards of Conduct:

(a) Disciplinary Warning. A disciplinary warning is a notice that the student is violating or has violated the Standards of Conduct. It is used for minor violations and consists of a restatement of the regulation violated with an official warning concerning future action.

(b) Disciplinary Reprimand. A disciplinary reprimand is used for minor violations of the Standards of Conduct when it is evident the misconduct occurred with knowledge and awareness of applicable Standards of Conduct. A reprimand indicates that further violations will result in more severe disciplinary actions. Reprimands may be given to students in either verbal or written form.

(c) Loss of Privilege. Loss of privilege is a penalty imposed most commonly cases involving violation of University rules governing hours, social standards, intramural sports, or misuse of University facilities. The loss of privilege is ordinarily established for a specific period of time, and actions are recorded in appropriate records. Privileges that maybe lost include, but are not limited to, scholarships, stipends, participation in extracurricular activities (e.g. intramurals), participation in social activities, and use of certain University-controlled property (e.g., information technology resources).

(d) Education. Students may be required to attend classes, at their own expense, dealing with issues such as the consequences of alcohol or drug use, civility, ethics, or other topics as deemed appropriate by the Chief Student Affairs Officer or his/her designee.

(e) Restitution. Restitution may be required in situations that involve destruction, damage, or loss of property, or unreimbursed medical expenses resulting from physical injury. Restitution may take the form of a monetary payment or appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for the destruction, damage, or loss.

(f) Disciplinary Probation. Disciplinary probation means that a student is permitted to remain in the University on a probationary status. Should a violation occur during probation, the student is normally suspended. Disciplinary probation is recorded on the student's personnel file in the Office of Student Affairs. Conditions of probation are specific to the individual case and may include loss of eligibility to serve as a student organization officer or participation in major student activities. Any specific probation conditions are described in a personal letter to the student. Other conditions of probation are specific to each individual case and may include a requirement of community service or other requirement or restriction.

(g) Suspension. The penalty of suspension is imposed in cases of serious or repeated misconduct or a violation of probation. A student who is suspended shall have his/her registration cancelled and is not eligible to apply for readmission for a designated period of time. Suspensions are always recorded on the student's permanent record. (Persons suspended from the University may not return to the campus for the duration of their suspension, except to conduct official business with an administrative officer or faculty member).

(h) Permanent Dismissal. Permanent dismissal means that a student is permanently barred from matriculating as a student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. This penalty is used when the violation of one (1) or more of the Standards of Conduct is deemed so serious as to warrant total and permanent disassociation from the University community without the possibility of re-enrollment; or when, by his/her repeated violation of the Standards of Conduct, a student exhibits blatant disregard for the health and safety of other members of the University community or the University's right to establish rules of conduct.

(i) Revocation of Degree. Revocation of a degree means revoking a student's a degree already awarded by the University. Revocation of a degree shall be approved by the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.

(3) A disciplinary hold may be placed on a student's account until the completion of the student disciplinary process and/or until the student satisfies the terms and conditions of any penalties imposed. A student who, at the time of commencement, is subject to a continuing disciplinary penalty or an unresolved disciplinary charge shall not be awarded a degree before the conclusion of all penalties and/or resolution of all disciplinary charges.

(4) The following penalties may be imposed on a student organization found to have violated the Standards of Conduct:

(a) Disciplinary Warning. A disciplinary warning is used for minor violations of the Standards of Conduct and consists of a restatement of the Standard of Conduct violated with an official warning concerning future action.

(b) Loss of Privilege. This penalty is intended to serve as a reminder of the Standards of Conduct and is for a specific period of time. Examples of privileges that may be lost include participating in extracurricular activities (e.g., intramurals), housing privileges, participating in social activities, and using certain University-controlled property.

(c) Education. Student organizations or their representatives may be required to attend classes, at their own expense, dealing with issues such as the consequences of alcohol or drug use, civility, ethics, or other topics as deemed appropriate by the Chief Student Affairs Officer, Student Conduct Officer, and/or his/her designee.

(d) Restitution. Restitution may be required in situations that involve destruction, damage, or loss of property, or unreimbursed medical expenses resulting from physical injury. Restitution may take the form of a monetary payment or appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for the destruction, damage, or loss.

(e) Social Probation. This penalty prohibits a student organization from sponsoring or participating in specified social activities. While on social probation, a student organization may not host social events or participate in University-affiliated activities. Any exceptions to social probation must be approved, in advance, by the Chief Student Affairs Officer or his/her designee.

(f) Disciplinary Probation. Disciplinary probation means that a student organization is permitted to retain University registration on a probationary status. Violation of the Standards of Conduct during the period of disciplinary probation may result in more serious penalties, including revocation of University registration.

(g) Revocation of University Registration. In cases of serious misconduct, a student organization's University registration may be revoked.

(5) More than one (1) of the penalties listed above may be imposed for any single violation of the Standards of Conduct.

(6) Except for an interim suspension, disciplinary penalties shall not become effective until after opportunities for appeal have been exhausted. Penalties may be applied retroactively to the date of the offense. Coursework performed while disciplinary charges are pending or disciplinary proceedings are underway shall be considered conditional. Coursework may be affected or disregarded based on a final finding of misconduct or the penalty imposed, which may result in loss of course credit, a loss of tuition and/or fees, a delay in the awarding of a degree, or revocation of a degree that was awarded prior to a final decision in the disciplinary proceeding.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1720-03-03-.05

Original rule filed May 27, 1986; effective August 12, 1986. (For history prior to August 12, 1986 see pages (iii) - (v)). Amendment filed November 13, 1987; effective February 28, 1988. Amendment filed October 31, 1990; effective January 29, 1991. Amendment filed August 31, 1995; effective December 30, 1995. Amendment filed January 13, 1999; effective May 31, 1999. Amendment filed November 17, 2000; effective March 30, 2001. Repeal and new rule filed April 17, 2012; effective September 28, 2012.

Authority: T.C.A. § 49-9-209(e) and Public Acts of Tennessee, 1839-1840, Chapter 98, Section 5, and Public Acts of Tennessee, 1807, Chapter 64.