Center for Student Conduct

Sanctioning Guidelines

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, cannabis, tobacco, 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. Our goal is always to facilitate this process from a perspective of care, harm reduction, and a commitment to a restorative approach.

If a student is found responsible for violating the Alcohol, Cannabis, Tobacco and Other Drug Use Policy, the interventions and sanctions outlined below may be imposed. The overall goals of these interventions and sanctions are to:

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.
Deter students from engaging in unhealthy and/or harmful behaviors.
Temporarily or permanently remove students who continually and/or significantly disrupt the residential community and learning environment.

No sanctions will be applied prior to a conduct meeting to determine a finding of responsibility for any alleged violations. If you have been notified of a scheduled conduct meeting, please review our recommendations for preparing for that meeting.

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, Cannabis, Tobacco, and Other Drug Violation Sanction Guidelines

Response to First Incident of Possession or Consumption

Documented for possession or consumption of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, or other drugs
Documented for possession of empty alcohol containers or any associated tobacco or drug paraphernalia

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

Establish a Conduct Record (your conduct record remains separate from your academic record and any academic transcript)
Complete the BASICS I program and any additional educational sanctions as determined by the conduct meeting facilitator
Notify Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit

Response to Repeated Incidents

Second documented possession or consumption of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, or other drugs
Second documented possession of empty alcohol containers or any associated tobacco or drug paraphernalia

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

Complete the BASICS II program and/or a mandated educational or reflective project/meeting
$250 fine per person
Complete community restoration/restitution (when applicable)
Disciplinary Probation* for duration of enrollment at UVM
Notify Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit

Persistent Concerning Behavior

Three or more documented possession or consumption of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, or other drugs
Three or more documented possession of empty alcohol containers or any associated tobacco or drug paraphernalia
Two or more detoxes or medical intervention for alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, or other drug consumption
Two or more escalated incidents (e.g. police arrest, DUI, etc.)

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

Review for suspension from the University of Vermont
Consider for deferred suspension program (to include a $350 administrative fee)
Notify Parent/Guardian and Academic Unit

Egregious Violations

Alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, or other 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 or medical intervention

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

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

*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.