Outcomes and Sanctions
The Dean of Students Office (DOS) utilizes a Progressive Sanctioning approach to address student incidents. This means a student's behavior will be addressed through outcomes and sanctions directly related to the incident; however, a student with numerous violations will move on to more serious outcomes and sanctions with repeated violations. A student can enter the pyramid below at any stage and generally will only move up from there.
Students who have been sanctioned as a result of the Student Conduct process are encouraged to reach out to the DOS with any concerns or questions they have about their sanctions. A (non-exhaustive) list of sanctions can be found in the Student Code of Conduct, Section I.
A Disciplinary Hold will be placed on a student's account if they do not complete sanctions by their assigned deadline date. This Disciplinary Hold will prevent students from withdrawing from courses, future registration, and transcript requests.
Please also view our Sanction FAQ page for our most commonly asked questions regarding sanctions.
- Prevention & Outreach
- Warning
- Educational
- Guided Analysis
- Intervention & Restrictions
- Suspension
- Expulsion
Prevention & Outreach
The Dean of Students Office assists with the development of University prevention education to ensure the Office and Code of Conduct are aligned with UNF community values and behavioral expectations.
Informed Ospreys
Informed Ospreys is a series of online training modules designed to help students understand, identify, and comply with policies and procedures at the University of North Florida. More information about the training modules can be found on our website.
MODULE 1: (Total Duration: 2.5 hours)
- Sexual Assault Prevention
- Bystander Intervention
- Alcohol & Other Drugs
MODULE 2: (Total Duration: 1.25 hours)
- Diversity Awareness
- Creating a Respectful Campus for LGBTQ+
- Sensitivity Awareness
MODULE 3: (Total Duration: 21 minutes)
- Mental Health Awareness
Spotlight Series
The Spotlight Series is a blog-format focused on learning and reflection directly related to concerning behaviors or high-risk impact decision-making. The information is available for all members of the UNF community to learn about different topics related to student accountability, conduct, resolution, as well as other higher education-based issues.
The Spotlight Series is featured on our website and can be found under the Engagement menu.
Talking Series
The Talking Series events discuss difficult topics and current events. The goal for the Talking Series is to provide the University community with opportunities to learn about important topics or address situations that are often seen coming through the Office.
The Talking Series is featured on our website and can be found under the Engagement menu.
Warning
Behaviors referred to the Dean of Students Office that do not rise to the level of a conduct violation may be referred to another University office, receive a formal warning, or recommended to be addressed through the Alternative Dispute Resolution program.
Referral
An incident report may include information about policy violations but are better suited to be addressed by a specific University department or organization. In these cases, the Dean of Students Office will document the incident report but submit a referral to the appropriate area of campus to address the behavior.
Formal Warning
The Dean of Students Office can review referrals and determine pursuing formal charges is not necessary. A Warning is intended to bring attention to the situation that was not in accordance with the University mission, vision, and/or values, but doesn't rise to the level of a Code of Conduct violation.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution services are available through the Dean of Students Office to help students manage and resolve disputes. Services are free, private, voluntary and include conflict coaching, facilitated dialogue, and mediation.
Educational
Safe Colleges
Assigned through Osprey Ascend, these are online learning modules to address the various elements of behavior observed through misconduct. The online modules address topics of alcohol and substance use/abuse, bystander intervention, fire safety and consent.
e-Assessments
Online assessment to provide students with accurate and personalized feedback about substance use patterns, risk patterns, aspirations and goals and additional helpful resources at the University.
Reflection Paper
Reflection papers are assigned to promote critical thinking and decision-making in students who have found themselves responsible for violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The topics include general reflection, fire safety, intent vs. impact and how to advocate for yourself. Specific instructions will be attached to a student's Decision Letter.
Guided Analysis
Reflective Learning
The Reflective Learning Plan consists of multiple one-on-one meetings between a member of the DOS and the student where they talk through and review the incident, assess the responsible findings, and ensure the student is clear on their assigned sanctions. Additionally, while assessing the responsible findings from the Decision Letter, the student begins the reflective process needed in order to complete their Reflective Learning Plan and to learn how impactful their actions can be to themselves and individuals around them.
Action Plan
Students will meet with a member of the Dean of Students Office to engage in a critical thinking exercise and reflect on the decisions made during the course of the incident, or leading up to the incident, which resulted in the violation behavior(s).
Behavioral Contract
The Behavioral Contract consists of multiple meeting between the student and a member of the DOS where they will review the incident and take a deeper dive into the behavior that got the student to that incident. The outcome of this Behavioral Contract meeting will be a written or typed document created by the student with the assistance of the DOS staff member, that they must both sign in agreement of further behavior from the student.
Outcome Review
An Outcome Review meeting are generally held with our Student Support Specialists for students who maybe did not participate in the resolution process or need additional assistance on reflecting about an incident. A review of on-campus resources and the student conduct process will also be part of the Outcome Review meeting.
Resource Review
A Resource Review is a one-on-one meeting with the Student Support Specialist for students who need to be guided in what on-campus resources we have to offer. Reviewing the conduct process and the mental health and well-being of the student will also be a part of the Resource Review.
Communication Development
Communication Development is a one-on-one session meant to engage the student to think about their communication style and their incident or conflict. The student may also be asked to articulate their behaviors that were found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct and explain why it was a violation.
Intervention & Restrictions
PERCH
Osprey PERCH provides necessary community mental health continuum components to support students. If a student presents with continued or serious substance use or behavioral interactions, the Dean of Students Office may require a student to undergo an assessment meeting with PERCH and address the specific behaviors from their case. PERCH will document compliance and determine when the student achieved successful completion of the assigned meeting type.
Trespass
A trespass from the Dean of Students Office is not a criminal trespass but can be enforced by UPD and turn into a criminal trespass. Students may be restricted from selective areas of campus, like Housing & Residence Life or the Recreation & Wellness complex or restricted from UNF's campus entirely.
Contract Review
The Dean of Students Office may assign a Contract Review meeting, or other required meetings with key University leadership, to ensure student are accountable to their obligations on campus. If students have continued to be found Responsible within on-campus housing, they may be required to review their Housing Contract with Housing & Residence Life staff and assess their ability to remain on-campus. If students have violated a behavioral contract, they may be required to review their actions with the Dean of Students or other appropriate staff.
Suspension
Semester
Students are suspended on a semester by semester basis, determined by the severity of the incident. A semester means the student is no longer allowed to attend classes during the duration of the stated suspension. Students are also restricted from visiting the UNF campus during their suspension term, and if they need to be on-campus, they must arrange for an escort through the University Police Department. If a suspension occurs mid-way through a semester, the Dean of Students Office may consider a delayed suspension rather than administratively withdrawing a student from their courses. Suspensions are notated on a student's transcript for the duration of the suspension term.
Enrollment Impacts
The University of North Florida defines continuous enrollment as being enrolled in classes at UNF without a break of three or more consecutive semesters, including summer terms. If a student is suspended for any semester(s), an evaluation of the potential enrollment impact is conducted. A student wishing to return from suspension after a break in continuous enrollment will be required to reapply to the University. If a student wishes to attend classes at another institution during their suspension from UNF, they will need to complete a temporary hold lift request with the Dean of Students Office.
Expulsion
Permanent Removal
An expulsion from the University of North Florida is a permanent separation from the University of North Florida without possibility of re-admission. Expulsions are effective immediately and will restrict the individual from visiting the UNF campus. If an individual needs to be on-campus, they must contact the University Police Department to arrange for an escort.
Transcript Notation
Transcript notations are included on a student's academic record, or transcript, for the duration of a suspension period or indefinitely after an individual has been expelled.