Conduct Appeals

1. There is new information pertinent to the case to be presented by the student;

2. There is information that established conduct processes were not followed.

To appeal the decision of an Administrator, the student should write a letter of appeal to the Department of Residence Life, B3 Hathorn Hall, within three working days.

Students involved in residence hall incidents, whether found responsible or not, will have a record of the incident and summary of all actions on file while the student is enrolled at UW-River Falls. Some records may be held longer depending on the nature of the incident. A student’s file will be available only to the student and to appropriate University personnel upon written request.

What will have to do if I am found responsible for violating a policy?

If the student is found responsible, one or more of the following sanctions may be imposed. If you don’t agree with the decision of the hearing officer, you can appeal the decision (see Student Conduct Process Guidelines and Procedures).

• Warning: Found responsible as charged, warning that more severe disciplinary action may result should the student be found responsible for any future violations.

• Community/University Service: A student may be offered an opportunity to complete a specific number of hours of community/University service. The type of community/University service must be determined and approved by the hearing officer.

• Probation: An official notice that a student is responsible as charged and that more stringent disciplinary action, including removal from the residence hall or referral to the University disciplinary process, may result if future violations occur during the probationary period. The length of the probation is set by the hearing officer.

• Reassignment to another Residence Hall: The hearing officer may determine that an individual may benefit from living in another residence hall and mandate that the individual be reassigned to another residence hall.

• Removal from a Residence Hall/Loss of Visitation Privileges: This sanction is usually imposed for repeat violations or for more serious or threatening behaviors that may affect the safety and welfare of other students. The removed student shall forfeit his/her housing deposit.

• Restitution: A student may be sanctioned to pay for financial injury in cases such as theft, destruction of property, or deception. This is not a fine, but rather a repayment for property destruction or damage. The assessed costs to be paid may be beyond other sanctions. Billings for physical damages, clean-up or repairs will be assessed by Residence Life and charged to the students university account.

• Educational Sanction: A student may be assigned to attend or complete an educational program. The type of program will be determined by the hearing officer. An individual may be referred to a University Counselor if the hearing officer concludes that the individual may benefit from such services.

In addition to Residence Life conduct policies, all UWRF students are also expected to adhere to the policies found in the UW System (UWS) Student Code of Conduct, otherwise known as Chapter 17.   Sometimes, residence hall students may have their conduct case adjudicated under UWS Chapter 17, even if the violation occurred in the residence halls. This happens most often when the policy violation is more serious in nature, when medical attention was needed, or when an individual has a previous history with a violation of UWS Chapter 17.  Residence hall students, who have a policy violation that results in cancellation of their residence hall contract, will also likely be placed on university probation, which means that any further violations of federal, state, university or residence life policy could result in suspension or expulsion from UWRF.

The following is meant only as a guide; it stipulates only minimum mandatory sanctions. The intent is to provide a framework for which hearing officer can begin the process of sanctioning. Personal judgment will be necessary as every situation involves multiple circumstances.

Typical first-time violations will be defined as the student was present while alcohol was being consumed underage or was in possession.

• Alcohol education web-based course. Student will be assessed the actual charge for the course

• Residence hall or university probation for six academic months

• Referral to Restorative Justice (if appropriate). There is a cost associated with this program. 
  

• Signed statement of understanding of conduct policy and consequences of future violations

2nd Alcohol Violation

• Referral to Student Health and Counseling Services for an assessment. Student will be assessed the actual charge for the assessment of $125.00 when campus services are available

• Residence hall or university probation for one year

• Referral to Restorative Justice (if appropriate). There is a cost associated with this program.
  

• Parental notification

• Signed statement of understanding of conduct policy and consequences of future violations

3rd Alcohol Violation

• Residence hall relocation and/or ban likely (Depending on where the violations took place)

• Residence hall or university probation for tenure as a student

• Referral to Restorative Justice (if appropriate) or educational paper/interview

• Parental notification

• Signed statement of understanding of conduct policy and consequences of future violations

4th Alcohol Violation

• Residence hall contract cancellation and/or ban likely (Depending on where the violations took place)

• University probation for tenure as a student

• Parental notification

• Signed statement of understanding of conduct policy and consequences of future violations which would result in suspension from the university

Health and safety of UWRF students is paramount. Consequently, students whose choices regarding alcohol result in a need for medical attention or transport, are taken seriously and require a response from the university that addresses both the health risks and concerns for the students as well as addressing the serious nature of the situation.

• Meeting with the Director of Residence Life, or his/her designee, next business day upon return from seeking medical treatment

• Referral to University Health and Counseling for assessment and compliance with all recommendations

• Referral to Restorative Justice (if appropriate)

• Parental notification

• University probation for tenure

• Signed statement of understanding of conduct policy and consequences of future violations

Resources

• University Police

• Counseling

• SART

• Student Affairs

• Equity and Affirmative Action

• Academic Success Center

Students who have questions about Residence Life or UWS Chapter 17 conduct policies or process are encouraged to contact a professional staff member. Both the Department of Residence Life and the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities are housed in the basement of East Hathorn Hall. The phone number is 715-425-4555.