Definition of Sanctions
In keeping with SUNY Poly’s values, any sanction(s) imposed is for the purposes of educating students and student organizations about the seriousness of their action(s), deterring subsequent violations, and promoting civility and positive growth, while maintaining the safety and integrity of SUNY Poly.
SUNY Poly recognizes that not all violations of the Student Code of Conduct are the same. As a result, SUNY Poly reserves the right to impose differing sanctions. When considering appropriate sanctions the conduct officer or the Board will consider the following information:
- the nature and severity of the conduct;
- the respondent’s prior conduct history;
- the impact of the conduct;
- how the College has sanctioned similar incidents in the past; and
- whether the respondent has accepted responsibility.
SUNY Poly’s Sanctioning Guidelines, which are utilized by the hearing bodies in order to ensure consistent and fair sanctions, are available for review at sunypoly.edu/student-conduct/sanction-guidelines. Sanctions become effective once the conduct officer issues notice of the outcome and sanctions to the respondent and/or student organization. The imposition of sanctions will normally be deferred while appeals are pending, though temporary directives will continue until there is a final outcome. The Vice President of Student Affairs may suspend the conduct officer’s/Hearing Board’s determination or make such other interim modifications to the determination as may be appropriate in their judgement. Failure to complete a sanction may result in a registration, transcript, and/or diploma hold being placed on the students account.
When there is a finding of responsibility one or more of the following sanctions may be imposed:
Disciplinary Warning: An official communication that the Code has been violated and more severe disciplinary action may follow if the respondent is found responsible for further violations.
Disciplinary Probation: A higher level sanction issued due to the serious nature of the violation. Probation shall be for a designated period of time. If the respondent is found to be in violation of any College policies during the probationary period, heightened sanctions may be imposed. At the discretion of campus offices and programs, respondents on disciplinary probation may be ineligible for employment and/or participation in certain activities.
Final Probation: A final notice to the respondent that may be imposed, dependent on the severity of the violation when a respondent a) violates the Code while on disciplinary probation, and/or b) fails to complete previously imposed sanctions. At the discretion of campus offices and programs, students on final probation may be ineligible for employment and/or participation in certain activities.
Deferred Residence Hall Suspension: A final notice to the student that indicates a further violation of the Code may result in residence hall suspension or residence hall expulsion. This sanction is used when the respondent is found responsible for multiple violations of the Residence Hall policies, fails to complete previously imposed sanctions, or adhere to previously imposed conditions.
Residence Hall Suspension: A disciplinary sanction in which the respondent is removed from campus housing and restricted from the buildings and grounds of the residential complexes for a defined period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission shall be specified in the outcome letter. The respondent will be responsible for all assessed charges including room and board.
Residence Hall Expulsion: A disciplinary sanction which results in the permanent removal of the student from campus housing and permanent restriction from the buildings and grounds of the residential complexes. The respondent will be responsible for all assessed charges including room and board.
Change in Residence Hall Assignment: A written directive to relocate to an alternative residence hall assignment.
Suspension: A disciplinary status that results in the respondent’s temporary separation from the College for a specific amount of time. A suspended respondent is assigned persona non grata status (See Section Four: Temporary and Administrative Directives) for the duration of the suspension. If needed, conditions for readmission shall be specified in the outcome letter. Respondents who are suspended during an academic semester will be withdrawn from all coursework with a (W) grade and be responsible for all assessed charges including tuition, fees, room and board. Suspension from the College will result in a notation on the respondent's academic record. (See Section Seven: Sanctions, Transcript Notation).
Expulsion: A disciplinary status, which is the permanent separation of the student from SUNY Poly. An expelled student is assigned persona non grata status (See Section Four: Temporary and Administrative Directives). Respondents who are expelled during an academic semester will be withdrawn from all coursework with a (W) grade and be responsible for all assessed charges including tuition, fees and room and board. Expulsion from the College will result in a notation on the respondent's academic record. (See Section Seven: Sanctions, Transcript Notation).
Loss of Privileges: A disciplinary status in which the respondent is denied specific privileges for a designated period of time. Loss of privileges may include, but are not limited to:
- A restriction from possessing particular items on campus;
- A restriction from a particular College building, facility, or space;
- A restriction from a particular social event or membership in a student organization;
- A restriction from hosting visitors and/or guests;
- Deactivation of a student organization, including SUNY Poly recognition, for a specified period of time;
- Other restrictions as assigned.
Restitution: Payment for loss, damage, or injury. This payment may take the form of monetary reimbursement or the cost for appropriate service or compulsory program.
Community Restitution: Service to SUNY Poly, service to the greater community or other related discretionary assignments subject to prior approval of the conduct officer.
Behavioral and/or Mental Health Assessment: By a specified date, a respondent must complete a behavioral and/or mental health assessment and follow through with all recommendations made as a result of the assessment.
Behavioral Agreement: A plan established by the conduct officer that clearly defines behavioral expectations and standards that the respondent is required to abide by.
Discretionary Sanctions: Other related sanctions that meet the approval of the conduct officer, that include but are not limited to:
- Letter of apology;
- Essay or research paper on assigned topic;
- Program presentations;
- Substance abuse education program;
- Educational/training program or workshops.
No Contact Order: A written directive prohibiting contact with another protected person, either directly or through a third party. If the respondent and the protected person observe each other in a public place, it is the responsibility of the respondent to leave the area immediately and without directly contacting the protected person.
Sanctions for Category II Prohibited Behavior
This section establishes the available sanctions, as described above, for Category II: Sexual and/or Gender Based Discrimination and Misconduct violations.
When a student is found responsible for non-consensual sexual contact, sexual exploitation, or sexual harassment, the following sanctions are available:
| Status Sanctions | Additional Sanctions |
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A respondent who is placed on suspension, final probation, and/or disciplinary probation/warning, may also receive one or more of the following additional sanctions:
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When an individual is found responsible for stalking, the following sanctions are available:
| Status Sanctions | Additional Sanctions |
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A respondent who is placed on suspension, final probation, and/or disciplinary probation the following additional sanctions are available:
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When a student is found responsible for dating violence or domestic violence, the following sanctions are available:
| Status Sanctions | Additional Sanctions |
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A respondent who is placed on suspension and/or final probation, the following additional sanctions are available:
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When a student is found responsible for non-consensual sexual intercourse, the College will impose a minimum sanction of suspension with additional requirements as follows:
| Status Sanction | Additional Sanctions |
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A respondent who is placed on suspension and/or final probation, the following additional sanctions are available:
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