Housing and Residence Life
Incident Reports & Student Conduct Process
Students who violate or are otherwise at variance with the APU Student Code of Conduct, State Law or Residence Life Policies can expect disciplinary action. The steps outlined below explains the Informal Conduct Process used by the Residence Life Office:
Step 1: When an individual is confronted for a suspicion of violating a policy, an Incident Report will be written outlining the facts of the situation, how it was dealt with, and any other relevant factual information. This document is not a judgment of innocence or guilt, but rather it is description of the situation and an outline of the events as observed by the individual who reported it. Incident reports are filed electronically and a copy will be sent automatically both to the individual involved, as well as to the Residence Life Office for review.
Step 2: Once an incident report is filed, it is your responsibility to schedule a disciplinary meeting with the Director of Residence Life no later than one week from the date the incident report was filed. Failure to schedule this meeting within the appropriate time frame will indicate that you waive your right to participate in the hearing and that a decision will be made without your presence.
Step 3: Once scheduled, this meeting will serve as an opportunity for the individuals involved to explain the situation in their own words, and discuss the event with the Director of Residence Life. The outcome of this meeting will result in one or more of the following:
- The student will be found "not in violation" of breaking the policy.
- The student will be found "in violation" of the policy, at which point a sanction will be given that must be completed within the given timeframe.
- In severe cases, the meeting will result in a formal hearing and meeting with the Dean of Students under the Student Conduct process outlined in the APU Student Handbook.
Failure to complete a sanction within the specified time will result in a violation of "failure to comply" and will result in your case being reviewed for failure to comply. A finding of "in violation" for failure to comply results in automatic student housing probation and may result in the immediate termination of your housing agreement.
Step 4: If you disagree with the result of your disciplinary meeting or think that a sanction is too significant for the situation, you will have five business days to appeal the decision. Appeals of decisions/sanctions must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Students Office, and must include a specific, recognized basis for the appeal. Appeals can be made on the following grounds:
- New relevant information or evidence not previously available at the original hearing
- A flawed disciplinary process.
- An excessive disciplinary sanction
- All appeals are then handled by the University Appeals Board, as described in the APU Student Handbook.
Sanctioning Guidelines
In determining appropriate sanctions at APU, a student's present and past disciplinary record, the nature of the offense, the severity of any damage, injury, or harm resulting from the prohibited behavior, and other factors relevant to the matter will be considered. The following list of sanctions is illustrative rather than exhaustive. The University reserves the right to create other reasonable sanctions or combine sanctions as it deems appropriate. The following are examples of sanctions that may be imposed:
- Warning: A verbal or written warning designed to explain and clarify expected conduct with a stipulation that further, similar or related behaviors will result in higher disciplinary action.
- Monetary Sanction: A fine or requirement for repayment may be imposed. Charges will be placed on the student’s account.
- Educational Sanction: The student may be required to complete an activity or attend a related event in the campus community to become more educated on a particular subject. Examples include enrollment in an anger management course for cases involving violence, an online alcohol education course for cases involving the abuse of alcohol, or completion of a written paper or program related to the policy violation. The cost associated with creative sanctioning will be placed on the student’s account.
- Disciplinary Reprimand: A written notification from a University official to a student that is kept on file in the Dean of Students office. Further violations of the Code of Conduct will result in additional consequences.
- Disciplinary Probation: A student is given the opportunity to demonstrate they can be a responsible and important member of the APU community by agreeing in writing to abide by the Code of Conduct and remain a student with restrictions on activities.
Examples include:
- The student may not serve in student leadership roles or represent the institution at meetings, conferences, or other formal events;
- Students may be given specific guidelines governing student activities or restriction to certain areas of campus.
- Suspension from Residence: Serious infractions or repeated violations of university regulations, rules, and guidelines may lead to revocation of a student’s ability to live on-campus. The sanction letter specifies the amount of time allowed before a student is required to leave campus. The housing contract/agreement is typically cancelled and payment for room and meal plan is not returned. Residence Hall Council fees are not refundable and housing deposits may be withheld.
- Suspension from the University: A student suspended from the university is no longer an APU student and may not participate in any university-sponsored event/activity/class or in activities sponsored by university recognized entities such as student organizations and ASAPU. In addition, he/she is denied all other rights and privileges accorded to students in good standing including access to facilities. APU I.D. cards are voided. Grades are determined in accordance with established withdrawal policies. Fee refunds are determined on the same basis as a semester voluntary withdrawal (exceptions noted above). A meeting with the Dean of Students is required before a student can be re-admitted to the university.
