Student Rights and Responsibilities

Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5326 USA
(269) 387-2160

Sanctions

If a student is found responsible for a violation of the Student Code they will be assigned one or more sanctions. The sanction(s) assigned will be determined on the severity of the current conduct violations, past conduct violations/sanctions (if any), impact on the community, and to help the student learn/grow to avoid similar violations in the future.

Possible sanctions (from least to most severe) include:

Verbal or written notice that specific inappropriate conduct is unacceptable.

An official written censure containing three components. A reprimand for inappropriate behavior, notice that the conduct associated with the violation must stop immediately and permanently, and notice that additional violations shall result in more severe sanctions.

A written contract between the student and the University wherein the student agrees to correct inappropriate behaviors.

Service to the University, service to the community, attendance at educational seminars, classes, or workshops, written assignments, or other activities deemed appropriate by the conduct body. The student is required to submit written proof of participation in and/or completion of the sanction to the conduct body. (Some seminars, classes and workshops may require a registration fee.)

Compensation for loss, damage or injury. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.

Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time. Examples of privileges that can be denied include: academic program dismissal, campus registration of an automobile, parking in a specific area or during specific time periods, access to a building or portion of a building, access to a program, on-campus living, holding of an office in a Registered Student Organization, participation in extra-curricular activities, access to a particular living group and any other privilege that the conduct body deems appropriate to deny.

Probation requires that a student's conduct be reviewed for a specified period of time. Conditions of the probationary period will be specified to the student by the hearing body and may be applied during the probationary period. All conditions must be satisfied and verified prior to the completion of the probationary period. If a student is found responsible for violation of any institutional policy(s) during the probationary period, more severe sanctions could be applied.

Separation of the student from the University or a University program for a period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. During this time, the student under suspension shall forfeit all rights of their student status for the duration of their suspension and may have their privileges of access to University premises revoked. Conditions for readmission and/or continued enrollment after readmittance may be specified. All conditions for readmission must be satisfied, completed and certified to Student Rights and Responsibilities or designee prior to readmittance. Also, a written plan for adherence to conditions of continued enrollment after readmittance from a suspension shall be provided to Student Rights and Responsibilities or designee for review and approval.

Permanent separation of the student from the University. An expelled student shall have no access to University premises and shall forfeit all rights of their student status immediately and permanently upon expulsion.


The University may withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the completion of the process set forth in this Student Code, including the completion of all sanctions imposed, if any.

A degree awarded from WMU may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation or other violation of University standards in obtaining the degree, or for other serious violations committed by a student prior to graduation. Being a degree holding alumna is sufficient association with the University and basis for application of this sanction.

Students who do not complete their sanction by the assigned due date may have a hold placed on their student account. The conduct hold could affect future enrollment, financial aid, housing assignment, and ability to receive academic transcripts.

The information above is a summary of information in the Student Code. Additional/detailed information can be found in the Student Code. The Student Code is WMU’s official description of expectations for students and the student conduct process; it will be the guiding document for any questions/concerns about student conduct policies or processes.