College of Arts and Sciences
Procedures for Administratively Dropping A Student

Under rare circumstances, students engaging in repeated inappropriate and/or disruptive behavior in a class can be administratively dropped. Please note that this information does not preclude notifying the campus police when there is an immediate threat of violence. Nor does it preclude asking a student to leave the classroom for inappropriate behavior on a particular occasion.

Students found responsible for willfully failing to comply with specific directives issued to them, or failure to comply with the Student Code of Conduct, can be denied privileges and rights such as course participation or attendance and/or course enrollment. In order to ensure that students are aware of appropriate standards of behavior, instructors should include the document “Students and Faculty Working Together,” in their syllabus. Minimally, this document should be referenced in the syllabus and the link provided. Technically, a department head can play the main role in this disciplinary action under the authority granted to Academic Officers by UniReg 229 (See below)..

Because of unfamiliarity with due process and the complexity of balancing instructor and student rights and responsibilities, it may be difficult for departments to deal with disruptive student behavior. For this reason, the College of Arts and Sciences has designated an associate dean to be in charge of this procedure. Thus if department heads wish to initiate administrative drops, they should notify the associate dean. They should provide written evidence as to the student’s behavior and the action they propose. Ideally, this should take place prior to mid semester. The associate dean will provide written notice to the student regarding the accusation and the proposed action. The associate dean will notify the student within 5 business days after receipt of the information from the department. The associate dean will facilitate a hearing within thirty calendar days in which the instructor will present the evidence against the student and the student will have the right to respond. The associate dean will notify the Dean of Students regarding the results of the hearing, if the instructor’s request for an administrative drop or other action is deemed warranted.

Relevant portions of UniReg 229 follow:

UNIVERSITY REGULATION 229, Revision 2: The Authority of University Officers to take actions concerning students who have not complied with University requirements.

“Officers of the University…(defined as…Academic Officers, to include Deans, Directors, Associate and Assistant Deans and Department and Division Heads) are charged with responsibility for the effective administration of functions assigned to them and must strive to assure compliance with published procedures, regulations, and duties related to the Officer's functions and responsibilities.”

“Except as may be otherwise provided by University Regulations, the following actions by University Officers are authorized.

(2) In cases of negligent or willful failure of students to comply with requirements, regulations, or specific directives, or the commission of acts of dishonesty, the cognizant Officer may cancel any benefits, privileges and rights attained as a result thereof, and/or deny further benefits, privileges and rights within the designated area of responsibility. When appropriate to the conduct involved, such cancellation may extend to registration as a student,... etc. An Officer may impose any other form of University authorized disciplinary sanction if deemed appropriate for the conduct involved (see Student Code of Conduct). The Officer may impose informal corrective action in the form of counseling, guidance, and admonition, and should carefully consider use of such measures in any case.”

“When imposing sanctions (other than medical suspension or residence life and dining services violations) the Officer concerned shall:

(1) Give written notice to the student of the specific conduct for which action adverse to the interests of the student is contemplated; the sanction that may be imposed; and the requirement, rule, regulation or directive which is alleged to have been violated.

(2) Provide a hearing within thirty (30) calendar days of the written notice by the Officer or his appointed designee at which the student will hear the evidence against him and present evidence in defense.

(3) In situations requiring immediate sanctions, for example student misconduct in class or in the gyms, the written notice in (1) above shall be electronically conveyed and mailed or personally delivered to the student within five (5) business days of the event requiring immediate sanction.”

“The imposition of sanctions by University Officers, or the denial of a petition for an exception or modification to existing procedures, rules, or regulations, as herein authorized, may be appealed. Grounds for the appeal are limited to (a) failure to follow proper procedures or (b) newly discovered relevant facts. Such appeals shall be in the form of a written request addressed to the University Officer's immediate superior Officer for a review of the action taken. The request shall include a statement of facts and circumstances asserted to justify reversal or modification of the action, and it shall include a copy of the action being appealed as well as a copy of the original petition seeking an exception. The superior Officer may reject the appeal on the basis of insufficient grounds; cause further hearing on the matter; set aside the action; mitigate the action taken; or approve the action. The decision of the reviewing officer shall be final. The appealing student shall be notified in writing of the reviewing Officer's decision and a copy shall be filed with Dean of Students."

“Actions taken by an Officer shall be effective from the time and date specified in written notification from the Officer to the student, which shall be no earlier in time than the time of the decision, except in situations requiring immediate sanctions where the Officer's decision shall be effective immediately subject to final decision in the hearing. The Officer may defer the effective date pending completion of review by a superior Officer if the student so requests; provided, however, the action will be effectuated if the Officer fails to receive a copy of the student's written request for review within five (5) business days. No action immediately terminating a student's enrollment (except a medical suspension) shall ever be effected until approved by the Dean of Students or appointed designee. A copy shall be filed with the Dean of Students.”