Educational Costs Affiliated with University Violations

What is being done?
When students are found to be in violation of university policy, costs affiliated with educational or developmental sanctions may be incurred by the individual student.

Examples of educational sanctions include AlcoholEDU, a program/speaker, or a book/paper assignment. Examples of developmental sanctions include content workshops such as those for alcohol, decision-making, and integrity or seminars such as the College Experience Series.

Why is it being done?
There are a number of reasons why costs associated with programs and services for sanctioned students will become the responsibility of the individual student.

•  Philosophically, it is not appropriate for the entire student community to bear the costs for special programs and services that are needed for those students who violate university policies.

•  Our educational and developmental responses to university policy have increased during the past 5 years; within the last three years, educational, developmental or community contribution sanctions ranged from 82-91% of all sanctions given to students. We have increased these sanctions because we strive to get students back on track so that they can enjoy a successful academic experience.

•  Money generated from fees will be used to off-set the costs of current programs and services while also increasing educational and developmental outreach to the community.

•  Assessing costs is considered a best practice within the judicial affairs profession. Our benchmark data, from institutions within Virginia and across the country, demonstrated a wide range of costs that are assessed for university violations.

Who does this impact?
Realistically this change impacts only a handful of students. Those students are the ones found to be in violation of university policy. It is important to note that not every violation will involve a cost to the student.

When will the change occur?
Beginning October 30, 2006, costs associated with university sanctions will be included as a component of the sanction(s) a student receives.

How will the change be handled?
Students found in violation of university policies will be notified in their finding letter from the judicial officer with whom they met. A deadline for payment will be noted within the letter. Students will remit payment to the Center for Honor Enrichment & Community Standards and will receive a receipt for their records.

Costs will vary based on the programs and services offered, regardless of the student's level of participation in all of the programs and services.  For instance, alcohol violations will range from $50-200 based on the services required. Drug violations will be a minimum of $150, while other violations may require workshops and/or services and the associated $50 fee.

Questions?
Contact the Center for Honor Enrichment & Community Standards at 594-7190 or stop by room 3142 of the Student Union. You may also visit the CHECS website at http://studentlife.cnu.edu and following the link.