Discipline Process Overview

The student discipline process has been developed to support VUSC’s community standards as stated in the Student Handbook and Vanguard University Catalog, under the University’s mission and “Responsibility of Membership” sections. The student discipline process has been created to respond to violations of community standards and respond appropriately within the boundaries of due process as outlined in this manual and the Student Handbook. All decisions of the various discipline committees are considered University responses to violations of community standards.

Overview of the Student Discipline Process

It is important to note that in respect to disciplinary proceedings, formal rules of evidence are not followed, and past conduct may be considered in the discipline process. VUSC will attempt to structure the procedures so as to facilitate a reliable determination of the truth and to be fair and reasonable. Student Care Comittee (SCC) and Student Affairs Judicial Committee (SAJC) meetings may be recorded by Vanguard for accuracy. When the Director of Residence Life becomes aware of an alleged violation of community standards for on or off-campus students (via an Incident Report, or verbal report), he/she will consult with members of the SCC as needed and will refer the case to be handled by the appropriate individual or committee. When a violation of community standards occurs, one of the following responses will occur:

1. Disciplinary meeting with staff or faculty member: For violations of the community standards of a less serious nature, a meeting may be arranged between the student and their Resident Director (RD), Resident Assistant (RA), the Campus Pastor, the Director of Residence Life, a Counseling Center member, or other staff/faculty member in which there is a conversation and/or a written warning. The goal of this conversation is to communicate the violation, to offer recommendations for change, and to provide student care as needed.
2. Action in writing: In other instances, an Incident Report for minor issues may not warrant a meeting, but may simply require an action in writing which can be a warning or a fine according to the guidelines in the Student Handbook. Students may appeal these decisions.
3. Student Care Committee (SCC) summons and meeting: For violations of a more serious nature, a student will be assigned a disciplinary hearing. The Director of Residence Life will determine, based on the situation, whether the student should attend an SCC hearing or a SAJC hearing. The student will receive a written SCC Summons with at least 2 days notice for appearance. The SCC will be comprised of at least two people for each hearing.Members of the SCC may include, but are not limited to, the following: Director of Residence Life, Student Life Representatives, Resident Assistants (as student representatives as needed), and appointed faculty or staff member.When assigned to hear a case by the Director of Residence Life, the Student Care Committee (SCC) will confront behaviors of on and off-campus students that are not in compliance with community standards. The SCC will hear the majority of all student infractions reported to them by the Resident Directors or other offices. A SCC Summons and a SCC Disciplinary Contract with sanctions will be used by this committee. Disciplinary Contracts and sanctions are used to provide a framework in which to make a decision that addresses the situation, and attempts to produce growth and behavior changes in the life of the student. The SCC will confront any minor or first-time violations of community standards.
4. Student Affairs Judicial Committee (SAJC) meeting: The main function of the SAJC is to assume initial responsibility for cases that are of a more serious nature. The SAJC is chaired by the Director of Residence Life. An SAJC hearing will be comprised of at least two people appointed by the director of Residence Life for each hearing. Members of the SAJC may include, but are not limited to, the following: Director of Residence Life, chaired Student Life Staff members, and appointed staff or faculty members.The director of Residence Life will determine if a community violation should be referred to SAJC and will create a written Judicial Summons for a student with at least 2 days notice. The student will be required to appear before SAJC for a hearing to determine if a community standards violation has occurred and, if so, the extent of the violation. SAJC will arrive at a disciplinary decision within 5 working days. For students found in violation of community standards, a Disciplinary Contract with sanctions will be created and a written copy given to the student. An SAJC Appeal Request form will accompany any Disciplinary Contract. (back to top)

Sanctions

A violation of University policies and Community Standards may result in the imposition of one or more sanctions. A sanction is a disciplinary action that requires the student to meet certain expectations and/or complete specific requirements within a stated time frame. The goal of sanctions are to promote change in the individual, provide opportunity for restitution to individuals and the community (in case of theft, loss, and/or damages), and to restore the individual back into the community where possible. Sanctions affecting the conduct of students are based on general principles of fair treatment.

Sanctions will take into account the intent of the accused, the effect of the conduct on the victim and/or the Vanguard community, the student’s disciplinary history, whether sanctions such as education and community service are likely to change the student‘s conduct, and the student’s needs and prospects for improvement. While attempting to be consistent in its disciplinary decisions, the University also seeks to be fair and sensitive to the facts and circumstances of each individual case. Some sanctions may need to be more punitive due to the seriousness of the offense. Sanctions that may be imposed are not limited to those listed.

1. Warning: A restatement of the community standards is made to the student, together with an official warning concerning future behavior. May include loss of or restriction from certain activities or privileges.
2. Fines: Payment of charges for violation of regulations. These charges will be added to a student’s account. These vary according to the violation.
3. Probation: The student is expected to show a development in responsible actions toward Vanguard and members of the community for a specified period of time. May include limitations in or restriction from certain activities or privileges.
4. Restitution: Payment of financial compensation for loss, damage or injury. Failure to pay such charges may result in additional sanctions (including, but not limited to, denial of re-enrollment or refusal to release official transcripts and records).
5. Interim suspension: In certain circumstances, the Vice President of Student Affairs or a designee may immediately impose a University or residence hall suspension. Interim suspension may be imposed: a) to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the Vanguard community or preservation of University property; b) to ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being; or c) if the student poses a credible threat of disruption of or interference with the normal operations of the University.During the interim suspension, the student may be denied access to the residence halls 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 for Student Affairs or the designee may determine to be appropriate. The interim suspension shall extend only until such time as the SAJC hearing can be completed and other sanctions (if any) imposed.
6. Suspension: The student is involuntarily separated from the University for a specified length of time. Absences from classes and chapels are not excused and academic work that is missed may not be made up.
7. Administrative withdrawal: The student is required to withdraw from the University without the privilege of returning until a time specified by the SAJC.
8. Expulsion: The student is permanently separated from the University with a notation of the reasons for the termination in his/her file. No refunds are made and the student will suffer the academic consequences of his/her actions. When students are suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons, there will be no refund of tuition or room charges for the semester and financial aid may be canceled.Upon permanent separation from University housing, students may apply to Housing/Business Office for unused board charges. The Vice President of Student Affairs will make the final determination for the University on a sanction that involves suspension and expulsion. In certain limited situations, the Vice President of Student Affairs may impose a sanction but suspend or postpone its actual implementation.
9. Sanctions for Student Organizations: Student groups and organizations may be charged with violations of these community standards. A student group or organization and its officers may be held collectively and/or individually responsible when violations of this code occur either during an event sponsored by the organization or by an individual representing or associated with that organization or group. The following sanctions may be imposed upon groups or organizations: deactivation, warning, reprimand, probation, fines, loss of privileges, restitution, and other educational sanctions. Deactivation includes loss of all privileges, including University recognition, for a specified period of time. Individual students are subject to other sanctions as described above.The University reserves the right, for educational purposes, to review actions taken by civil authorities regarding any student or student organization. It is also important to note that in respect to discipline, a private college, such as Vanguard University of Southern California, does not follow civil rules of evidence (i.e. proven beyond a reasonable doubt). In determining whether or not a violation has occurred, the standard “more likely than not” (referring to an alleged violation) is applied.The University is not required to impose the same discipline in all situations involving the same violation of community standards; however, to honor consistency, the various judicial councils attempt to impose the same sanctions for various violations. Consideration will be given to the specifics of the incident and to the previous behavior of the student(s) involved. More serious disciplinary action will be taken in situations involving repeated violations. The University will assess each case based on the responsibility for membership expectations, and impose appropriate sanctions. (back to top)