Each year, about 12 students are given an interim letter of suspension and are removed from campus. Only half of these students return to the University to further their education.

“Interim letters of suspension are very important to get to students because they are delivered only a few days before their hearing,” Lieutenant David Weekly said. “If the student is at the jail because of his or her crime, we’ll take them out to the jail to make sure they get them.”

Weekly said the letters are handed to the student in person because of their importance.

“We deliver the letters and right away collect peds, keys, or any other university property, and make sure to move them out of wherever they are living on campus until their hearing is over,” Weekly said.

The University Code of Conduct on page 39 of the Student Handbook says an interim suspension takes effect immediately upon issuance.

“A student will receive written notice of the interim suspension, including a description of the suspected misconduct. A hearing will take place within ten days or another time specified in the notice. The student may petition the Dean of Students within three working days of the written notice of the suspension for reinstatement. The petition must be in writing and must include supporting documentation or evidence that the student or organization does not pose or no longer poses a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of self, others or property,” according to the student handbook.

Associate Dean of Students, Michael Ginsburg said students can be given an interim suspension letter when they are suspended for some kind of intolerable behavior.

“We believe in progressive sanctioning, meaning whatever offense they have committed we really try for them to not make that mistake again,” Ginsburg said. “We obviously don’t want to have to move people off of campus because we want them on campus. Though sometimes the situation is appropriate for them to leave because the outcome of their offense needs to be that serious. If we believe the person is posing a definite threat of disruption or interference with the normal operations of the University, then they will be taken off campus.”

It depends on the student’s history on whether or not they are going to be suspended, put on probation or given a warning, according to Ginsburg.

“If a student has a past criminal record or has been given a warning about his or her behavior on campus and their threat to other students, it is more than likely that they will be suspended,” he said.

During the time a student is suspended from the University, they are not allowed to be anywhere on campus without Ginsburg’s permission.

“Some of the things that students can do in order to get suspension are physical or sexual violence, pulling a fire alarm and causing panic, and burglary and robbery on campus,” he said.

If a student does not agree with the terms of their suspension, they have the opportunity to meet in front of the University Conduct Committee, according to Ginsburg.

“The student can provide evidence and make a defense for themselves and the Dean of Students will give a recommendation as well before the outcome is decided by the committee,” he said.