Policy Violations
Students who violate any University policy should expect some form of disciplinary action. Charges of violation of hall policies are brought by staff members or other residents and are considered and dealt with in one of four ways:
The Residence Hall Director may handle the incident within the hall.
The Residence Life Coordinator may determine the sanction when the incident report is received.
The Director of Housing & Residence Life may hear the case.
The case may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
The principle behind the enforcement of standards is fairness to both the accused and to the community. A person who is accused of a violation has the right to assume that the case in their defense will be considered as seriously and as thoroughly as the charges against them.
Sanctions
If the Director or Residence Life Coordinator of Housing & Residence Life sanctions you, you will receive a sanction notice. Your Residence Hall Director will deliver the notice to you.
Penalties include, but are not limited to, monetary fines, letters of reprimand, warnings, policy tests, community service, and suspension and eviction from the residence hall system.
Sanction Points
The University of Montevallo residence hall behavioral concerns process operates on a point system. In addition to the penalties listed above, sanction points will be assigned to your record in the Housing & Residence Life Office.
The number of points assigned for each violation ranges from 1 to 6 points, depending on the severity of the violation and previous violations. Points will accumulate over the time a student lives on campus. Accumulation of twelve points could result in removal from the residence hall.
Off–Campus Guests
All guests are subject to all rules of the University and Housing & Residence Life. It is the responsibility of the host to inform guests of those policies and standards of conduct and guests are expected to abide by these policies.
Should a guest violate policy, Housing & Residence Life will notify them of the sanction in writing and a record will be kept on file in the Housing & Residence Life Office. Guests have the same right to appeal as residents.
Mandatory Withdrawal from University Housing
Students will be subject to mandatory and immediate withdrawal from University residence halls if they:
- Engage, or threaten to engage, in behavior that poses a danger or causes physical harm to self or others.
- Engage, or threaten to engage, in behavior that would cause significant property damage, or directly and substantially impedes the lawful activities of others.
Due Process
A student’s right to due process as defined in The Fledgling will be protected and the student will have the right to appeal the decision made.
Appeals
If you receive a sanction for a violation, you have the right to appeal the decision. Your appeal must be submitted in writing to the Director of Housing and Residence Life within 48 hours of receiving your sanction.
In the event of an appeal, the initial decision shall be stayed until the appeal is decided. At the appeal hearing, you may introduce any evidence on your behalf. Each person in the incident will be interviewed separately regarding the case. At the conclusion of the hearing, you will be notified of the result of your appeal hearing.
The procedures for appeal will not be conducted according to every procedure as in a court of law, nor should they be.
Rationale for Appeal
An appeal request must include grounds on which the appeal is based. An appeal will only be heard if there is:
- An error in due process which impaired either party including:
inadequate notice - failure to follow appropriate procedures during the initial hearings
- failure to be notified of the appeals process
Significant new evidence of a substantial nature based on evidence presented in a student’s appeal.
Decisions on Appeals
One of the following actions will occur after the appeal has been considered. The Director may:
1. uphold the original decision and disciplinary sanction;
2. uphold the original decision but modify the disciplinary sanction;
3. reverse the original decision and modify the disciplinary sanction.
