Code of Conduct
31 Sanctions
After the initial investigation of student conduct violations, the Executive Director of Student Affairs may:
- Take no action.
- Take administrative action to counsel, advise or admonish the student.
- Refer the case to Campus Police if any evidence of a crime has surfaced during the investigation.
- Take disciplinary action against the offending student ranging from reprimand to recommending suspension or expulsion.
- Recommend that this report be handled through the Grievance Process.
Where suspension or expulsion is recommended and when applicable, eviction from College housing is not automatic. However, should the circumstances warrant, the Executive Director of Student Affairs and, or his/her designee, may immediately suspend a student from the College campus pending the College’s due process procedure. Criminal charges against a student on or off campus may result in suspension when in the judgment of College officials, the individual poses a threat to the safety of himself/herself or the safety or functioning of the campus community.
In cases where direct action involving suspension or expulsion is taken by the Executive Director of Student Affairs (or designee), the student will be informed of his/her right to appeal and to have a hearing before the Student Conduct Appeals Committee. This does not preclude the right of the Executive Director of Student Affairs to suspend a student temporarily until a hearing is arranged, providing such opportunity for a hearing is within a reasonable time (usually five working days). College Sanctions for Students: The following sanctions may be imposed by any of the following: Executive Director of Student Affairs, Chief Student affairs Officer, the Student Conduct/Appeals Committee, or by the President. The severity of the imposed sanctions will be appropriate to the violation; possible sanctions include probation, suspension, expulsion, loss of institutional aid, and/or restriction of student’s activities or privileges. Students will be charged for all damages or misappropriation of property, which occurs in violation of a rule or regulation. Restitution may be monetary compensation, replacement, or repair. Community service hours will be performed in an area of the College or a community agency for a specific number of hours. Professional counseling, referral to a rehabilitation program, and/or specific restrictions may be used in conjunction with various sanctions.
Interim Measures:
In certain circumstances, including those involving sexual harassment and/or assault/violence, the Executive Director of Student Affairs (or designee) may, upon initial assessment, impose interim measures as a means to ensure the safety of all parties as well as the institution. Furthermore, students have the right to request interim measures, a prompt review of the need for interim measures, and the terms of any interim measure or accommodation provided by Murray State College. Interim measures may or may not be punitive and may include a College or residence-area suspension pending assessment, full investigation, and/or a hearing before a conduct review body. Interim measures may be imposed to:
- help ensure the safety and well-being of members of the college community or preservation of college property
- help ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and/or well-being
- help prevent disruption or interference with the normal operations of the college
Depending on the nature of the interim measures, students may be denied access to the residential area and/or to the campus (including classes) and/or all other University activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the Vice President of Student Affairs or Executive Director of Student Affairs (or designee) may determine to be appropriate.
In certain circumstances, the Executive Director of Student Affairs (or designee) may impose an interim residence suspension, mandated room reassignment, or other restrictions prior to a hearing before a conduct review body.
Whenever interim measures are applied, a hearing will convene at the earliest possible time. The interim measures(s) may remain in effect until a final decision has been reached, including any appropriate appeals process, and/or may be modified at the discretion of the Executive Director of Student Affairs (or designee).
- Informal disposition may be made of any case by stipulation or agreement between College authorities and the student or by consent or default on the part of either party and in such instances, a hearing is not necessary.
- In cases where the Executive Director of Student Affairs takes action against a student, the decision of the Executive Director of Student Affairs will be furnished to the student (s), in violation of College rules in writing within seven working days after the decision.
- Students against whom the Executive Director of Student Affairs has taken disciplinary action may appeal the decision of the Director to the Student Conduct Appeals Committee. In cases involving a reprimand, restitution, or probation, the Committee on Student Conduct may request a hearing if they feel a hearing is warranted. In cases involving suspension or expulsion, either the student or the committee may request a hearing.
Alcohol Policy
The consumption, possession, distribution, and/or use of alcoholic beverages or decorative bottles and cans, hereafter referred to as “alcohol,” will lead to the following disciplinary procedure (Murray State College reserves the right to report any matter to the appropriate law enforcement agency and retains the right to seek criminal sanctions and pursue all available civil remedies for alleged violations of Murray State College policy as allowed by law):
(a) First Violation: The resident will typically engage in a conversation with the Executive Director of Student Affairs to discuss the incident. An educational response suitable for the situation will be assigned to the resident, which may encompass activities such as online alcohol training, participation in community enrichment programs, or writing a reflection paper on lessons learned from the situation.
(b) Second Violation: The resident will meet with the Executive Director of Student Affairs, incur a $100.00 fine, and be required to complete 5 hours of community service, subject to the discretion of the Executive Director of Student Affairs. Additionally, completion of an education program will be mandated. If deemed necessary, referral to counseling will take place.
(c) Third Violation: Students will undergo the Student Conduct process for the College and hold a meeting with the Executive Director of Student Affairs.
Cannabis/ Narcotics/Hallucinogens Policy
The consumption, possession, distribution, and/or use of Cannabis/Drugs/Narcotics/Hallucinogens will result in all the following (Murray State reserves the right to report any matter to the appropriate law enforcement agency and retains the right to seek criminal sanctions and seek all available civil remedies in all alleged violations of Rose State College policy as available by law.):
(a) First Violation: Resident will usually meet with the Executive Director of Student Affairs for a conversation to talk about the incident. An educational outcome that is appropriate for the situation will be assigned to the resident which may include but not limited to online training around Cannabis/ Narcotics/Hallucinogens, community enrichment programs, or a reflection paper on what the student learned from the situation.
(b) Second Violation: The resident will meet with the Executive Director of Student Affairs, incur a $100.00 fine, be required to complete 5 hours of community service, subject to the discretion of the Executive Director of Student Affairs. Additionally, completion a education component will be mandated. If deemed necessary, referral to counseling will take place.
(c) Third Violation: Students will undergo the Student Conduct process for the College and hold a meeting with the Executive Director of Student Affairs.
Tobacco Policy
Murray State and Resident Housing is Tobacco Free. By Executive Order of the Governor, Murray State College does not allow e-cigarettes on any campus including resident housing. The consumption, possession, distribution, and/or use of tobacco products will result in all the following :
(a) First Violation: Resident will usually meet with the Executive Director of Student Affairs for a conversation to talk about the incident. An educational outcome that is appropriate for the situation will be assigned to the resident which may include but not limited to online training around tobacco, community enrichment programs, or a reflection paper on what the student learned from the situation.
(b) Second Violation: The resident will meet with the Executive Director of Student Affairs, incur a $100.00 fine, be required to complete 5 hours of community service, subject to the discretion of the Executive Director of Student Affairs. Additionally, completion a education component will be mandated. If deemed necessary, referral to counseling will take place.
(c) Third Violation: Students will undergo the Student Conduct process for the College and hold a meeting with the Executive Director of Student Affairs.
Weapons, Firearms, & Explosives
In compliance with all local, state, and federal laws the Student Code of Conduct: the sale; use; distribution; storage; and/or possession of all firearms, weapons, explosives, firecrackers, and all other weapons are not permitted within or upon the grounds of Murray State College Housing. Weapons may include, but are not limited to, the following: guns (all pistols, all rifles, and all other long guns); slingshots; bow and arrows; brass knuckles; bowie knives; daggers; tasers; pellet guns; aerosol guns; paintball guns; ammunition; bows/cross bows; arrows; similar knives or switchblades; or objects including but not limited to toys resembling weapons may also be deemed weapons. The use or possession of weapons of any kind on campus is expressly forbidden.