The normal actions taken on student misconduct are as follows:

Censure. Penalties involving censure are available to the Misconduct Resolution Coordinator at a Misconduct Resolution Meeting, the Assistant Dean, and to the Senior Associate Dean of Students. The term “censure” applies to a variety of actions resulting in letters to a student’s file and/or loss of privileges and may include any one or any combination of the following actions:

• Loss of the privilege of participating in any public function (e.g., literary, dramatic, forensic, radio, television, musical, or athletic) wherein the participant will be thought of as a representative of Bates College;
• Loss of housing or dining privileges on campus;
• Loss of privilege of participating in social or ceremonial events on campus;
• Loss of the privilege of maintaining a motor vehicle on campus;
• A requirement that a student resign membership in any or all offices, elected or appointed, held in campus organizations;
• A letter from either the Misconduct Resolution Coordinator with a copy to the parent(s) or guardian(s);
• Any other restriction (except probation, suspension, or dismissal) that seems appropriate to the violation.

Required Action. Penalties that require a particular action of a student are available to the Misconduct Resolution Coordinator at a Misconduct Resolution Meeting, the Assistant Dean, the Senior Associate Dean of Students, and to the Sanctioning Panel. This may include requests to attend various forms of counseling or educational sessions. A student may be instructed to engage in some form of community service (this service may take place either on or off the Bates campus, or both). The Panel, Deans, or Misconduct Resolution Coordinator may either specify the terms of such counseling, education or service, or may designate another individual or body to determine appropriate terms.

Disciplinary Notice. The term “disciplinary notice” means that a sanction of suspension or dismissal is held in abeyance and will take effect only after the student is found to have committed a further violation. If a student already on disciplinary notice comes before the Office of Community Standards for a second case of misconduct and is found to have violated the Code of Student Conduct again, the first penalty held in abeyance now goes into effect. There may also be additional sanctions in the second offense. Disciplinary notice is not recorded on the student’s permanent record, but will remain in the student’s confidential file until graduation.

Suspension. The Sanctioning Panel in the Disciplinary Resolution Process may suspend a student for a specified period of time, or indefinitely. A student may also enter a period of suspension through Voluntary Agreement. There may be specific conditions to a student’s readmission to the College associated with a suspension sanction. A student who is suspended must leave the campus and may not return until the suspension is revoked. Unless otherwise specified, the suspension goes into effect immediately (within two class days) and the student is dropped from all courses. In some cases, the Panel may decide to defer the suspension until the end of the semester. Suspension will be noted on the student’s official transcript, but only during the time that it is in effect.

Dismissal. The Sanctioning Panel in the Disciplinary Resolution Process may dismiss (i.e., expel) a student. This severs with finality a student’s connection with the College. Dismissal will be noted on the student’s permanent record and on the student’s official transcript.