Center for Student Conduct

Sanctioning Guidelines

university row

The University of Vermont is committed to the health, safety and success of all students. One of the challenges students can face is the use and/or abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

To address this challenge and support our students in their educational and personal goals, the Center for Student Conduct holds students accountable for behavior that violates university policies, especially behavior that may cause harm to an individual student or to others.

If a student is found responsible for violating Health and Safety Standards, including the Terms and Conditions of the on-campus housing contract, or the Alcohol, Cannabis, Tobacco and Other Drug Use Policy for students, the interventions and sanctions outlined below may be imposed. The overall goals of these interventions and sanctions are to:

Deter students from engaging in unhealthy and/or harmful behaviors.
Educate students about how their choices may negatively impact themselves and others.
Motivate students to change their behavior so that they can contribute to a healthy and safe community, and optimize their academic success.
Temporarily or permanently remove students who continually and/or significantly disrupt the residential community and learning environment.

If a student is found responsible for violating the Alcohol, Cannabis, Tobacco and Other Drug Use Policy, the student's academic college dean's office will be notified as well as the parents/guardians of students under the age of 21.

The following interventions and sanctions may vary based on the circumstances and severity of the incident, and the student's conduct history.

Alcohol Violation Sanction Guidelines

Possession or Consumption with Minimal Disruption

Documented for possession or consumption of alcohol with minimal disruption (first instance)
Documented for possession of empty alcohol containers in an amount of 12 servings or less

If, after a hearing, the student is found responsible for the violation(s), sanctions will include (at minimum):

Establish a Conduct Record
Completion of the BASICS I program and any additional educational sanctions as determined by the hearing officer
Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit Notification

Concerning or Disruptive Incident(s)

Second alcohol possession/consumption violation
Possessing, contributing to, consuming from, or serving from a large source of alcohol (greater than 12 servings)
Found in possession of a large source of empty alcohol containers (greater than 12 servings)
First detox
First alcohol incident involving disruption (e.g., excessive noise, trash, involved in physical altercation, etc.)

If, after a hearing, the student is found responsible for the violation(s), sanctions will include (at minimum):

Completion of the BASICS II program and/or a mandated educational or reflective project/meeting
$250 Fine/ person
Community restoration/restitution (when applicable)
Disciplinary Probation* for duration of enrollment at UVM
Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit Notification

Persistent Concerning Behavior or Single Serious Incident

Three or more alcohol possession/consumption violations
Two or more detoxes
Two or more alcohol incidents involving disruption (e.g. excessive noise, trash, involved in physical altercation)
First time serious incident (e.g. police involvement, DUI, etc.)

If, after a hearing, the student is found responsible for the violation(s), sanctions will include (at minimum):

Review for suspension from the University of Vermont
Consideration for deferred suspension program
Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit Notification

Egregious Violations

Alcohol possession/consumption combined with egregious behavior (e.g. physical assault, sexual assault, significant vandalism, destruction of property, attempts or threats of severe harm, etc.)
Third detox

If, after a hearing, the student is found responsible for the violation(s), sanctions will include (at minimum):

Review for permanent dismissal from the University of Vermont
Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit Notification

Illicit Drugs and Illicit Use of Controlled Substances Violation
Sanction Guidelines

Possession or Consumption with Minimal Disruption

First cannabis possession/use
First drug paraphernalia possession/use

If, after a hearing, the student is found responsible for the violation(s), sanctions will include (at minimum):

Establish a Conduct Record
Completion of the BASICS I program and any additional educational sanctions as determined by the hearing officer
Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit Notification

Concerning or Disruptive Incident(s)

Second cannabis possession/consumption
Second drug paraphernalia possession/use
First detox (resulting from drug use)
First narcotic, opiate, or unauthorized prescription drug use

If, after a hearing, the student is found responsible for the violation(s), sanctions will include (at minimum):

Completion of the BASICS II program and/ or a mandated educational or reflective project/meeting
Disciplinary Probation*
$350 Fine
Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit Notification

Persistent Concerning Behavior or Single Serious Incident

Three or more cannabis possession/use/paraphernalia
Second or more narcotic, opiate or unauthorized prescription drug incidents
Second detox (resulting from drug use)
Possession of controlled substance in large amount

If, after a hearing, the student is found responsible for the violation(s), sanctions will include (at minimum):

Review for suspension from the University of Vermont
Consideration for deferred suspension program
Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit Notification

Egregious Violations

Drug sales/distribution
Narcotic, opiate, or unauthorized prescription drug use with aggravating factor (e.g. physical assault/altercation, significant vandalism, destruction of property, attempts or threats of severe harm)

If, after a hearing, the student is found responsible for the violation(s), sanctions will include (at minimum):

Review for permanent dismissal from the University of Vermont
Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit Notification

*Disciplinary Probation indicates that subsequent violations of university policy will result in a review for suspension or dismissal from the University. Once a student is on probation, the next recommended sanction is suspension.

Tobacco 21 @UVM

The University of Vermont has been a tobacco free institution since August, 2015. Vermont State Law prohibits the possession of tobacco and tobacco products for anyone under the age of 21. UVM policy and enforcement respond accordingly.
It is now against UVM policy to possess or use any tobacco or tobacco paraphernalia anywehere on campus. In addition to cigarettes, cannabis, and the paraphernalia associated with those products, the UVM policy also prohibits the possession or use of vaping products (e.t., Juul devices, pods, etc.).

Students documented for violations of this policy will be notified of the resulting conduct hearing. If found responsible for violations of the tobacco free policies, students will establish a conduct record and receive educational sanctions for the first offense. Additional educational sanctions will accompany a $250 fine for subsequent violations. Students found responsible for a third violation will be placed on probation in addition to the fine and additional sanctions.