General Remedial Procedures

All behavioral policies at MIU are dedicated to promoting the safety, comfort and growth of every student and the entire MIU community. The University, by way of the Department of Student Life and the Department of Campus Safety and Security, naturally upholds these policies to promote a harmonious and progressive campus conducive to maximum expansion of consciousness and development of the full potential of every student.

The University’s remedial procedures are meant to be educational, and not legalistic or adversarial, in nature. They are not criminal or civil trials, and as such criminal or civil standards of due process and rules of evidence are not controlling. The University reserves the right to modify these General Remedial Procedures when it determines necessary in particular circumstances.

Student Conference for Minor Infraction

If the Dean of Student Life (“the Dean”) or his/her designee believes that a student may have committed a minor infraction of University policies, i.e. an infraction not anticipated to require any more attention than a conversation between the Dean or designee and the student, the student will be contacted by the Dean or designee to schedule said conference. In the spirit of supporting the student, the Dean or designee will meet with the student to determine if any allegation of misbehavior appears to be true, and if so, help the student clarify priorities and establish a commitment to the behavioral and academic standards of the University.

Action may include a warning and/or probation, and may detail specific consequences including, but not limited to, community service, required exercise, and random drug testing, in which case the student will receive a letter indicating this action. If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Dean or designee, the student may request a meeting with a Student Support Committee, which will undertake a fresh review of all the pertinent information in accordance with the procedures described below.

Student Support Meeting for Serious Infraction

1.  In the event the Dean or designee believes there may have been a serious behavioral infraction including but not limited to a violation of federal, state or local laws, or;
2. If the student chooses not to attend a Student Conference with the Dean or designee as described above, or;
3. A minor or major infraction occurs after a Student Conference,

then the student will be asked to meet with a Student Support Committee. This meeting can occur whether or not the student has already met with a Dean or designee. The student will be given reasonable notice of the time of the meeting and the nature of the concern. The Committee will include the Dean or designee, at least one other representative drawn from the Department of Student Life, and a member of the University faculty, at the discretion of the Dean or designee. In addition, the student may choose to invite his or her academic advisor and/or one member of the Student Government to join the Committee (optional). The student may also invite his or her parent, or one other MIU student, faculty member, or administrator to attend; however, this person will not be a member of the Committee. Individuals with relevant information may be invited to attend to offer such.

The Student Support Committee reviews any observations, statements, or reports of rules infractions, and confers with the student to gain his or her explanation about them. The student and those not on the Committee then leave the meeting, and the Committee then determines 1) if it is more likely than not that any rule infraction appears to have occurred, and if so, 2) what remedial measures, if any, should be taken. Only the Student Support Committee members are eligible to vote on any remedial measure proposed by one or more of its members. If the student in need of attention elects to not attend the meeting, the Committee will meet without the student and decide what corrective measures if any, the University should take.

Consequences for Student Infractions

Besides helping the student focus on any identified concern and find a solution, action may include a warning, probation, or suspension, or a combination thereof. Other measures may be applied at the discretion of the Committee, if deemed necessary, and may include the issuance of a no contact order, directing a student to avoid initiating contact with another member of the University community (this may include limiting access to areas to avoid incidental contact. Restricted contact would include direct interactions in person or through technology as well as the use of third parties to interact), fines, parental notification in accordance with FERPA (see section II), and other appropriate discretionary measures.

The Committee’s decision will be communicated to the student in writing, and will include the reasoning behind the decision. If the student is placed on either probation or suspension, the terms and period will be noted. A copy of the letter will be placed on file in the Department of Student Life. A memo indicating that a student has been suspended will be given to the student’s advisor and placed in the student’s file in the Enrollment Center. However, warning, probation, and suspension information will not be placed on the student’s transcript.

In case of suspension, any student residing on campus generally must move off campus within 48 hours. However, the Student Support Committee or the Dean or designee may require an earlier departure or approve a later departure in light of the circumstances.

In the event of a campus safety risk, notwithstanding the above, if the Dean or designee, in consultation with the Campus Safety Director and Student Support Services, finds, in his or her sole discretion, that a student poses an immediate safety risk to himself or herself, or others, then the student may be asked to leave the University immediately, without waiting for the Student Support meeting, which may then be held after the student has left campus. The student may not return to campus property unless permission has been granted and any conditions for escort have been met. In this case, the student can participate in the Student Support meeting via telephone or internet.

Students suspended from the University must check out with Housing (see Housing: Room Check-Out Procedures section), the Graduation Director, and Financial Aid, and are subject to the University’s Refund Policies.

Students who have been away from the University for one semester or longer, who have officially withdrawn from the University, and/or have been suspended for any reason must apply and be accepted for readmission by completing an “Application for Readmission” form with the Office of Admissions. The only exception to this rule is if the suspension started after the beginning of a semester and ended before the end of the same semester. Readmission is not automatic; applicants are subject to admissions review.

Appeals

Students may appeal the decision if they believe that there has been a significant substantive or procedural error that significantly affected the outcome of the meeting; that significant evidence has been overlooked or the conclusion of the Student Support Committee is not supported by the facts; or that new and significant evidence has become available, not available during the initial meeting, that can significantly impact the outcome. Appeals must be made in writing within 72 hours of receiving the Committee’s written notification (including email) by submitting the appeal via email to the Executive Vice-President of Academic Affairs (cpearson@miu.edu) for final review. The appeal should outline which of the above criteria on which it is based.

Additional Points

• The Dean or designee, in his or her sole discretion, may decide to notify the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) of any remedial proceedings or actions regardless of the age, status, or behavior of the student.
• A Student Support Meeting may be held whether or not the student is involved in proceedings before a civil or criminal court.
• If a student withdraws from the University, the withdrawal does not affect the ability of the University to initiate or continue remedial procedures for actions or events that occurred prior to the withdrawal.