Standard Sanctions at BHSU

Issue/Question

What sanctions can I reasonably expect if I violate one of the commonly violated policies at BHSU?

Environment

  • Office of the Student Code of Conduct
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Rights and Responsibilities
  • BHSU Residence Life

Cause

You've violated one of the commonly violated policies:

  • The alcohol policy
  • The fire safety policy
  • The illicit drugs policy
  • The smoking and vaping policy
  • Other serious behavior

Resolution

All sanctions are situation-specific. Standard sanctions are changed to benefit the student’s educational experience.

Alcohol Sanctions

First Violation Second Violation Third Violation
  • $75 Fine
  • Options Course
  • 6 months of University Probation
  • Possible parental notification
  • $100 Fine
  • Options Course (2nd Offense)
  • 1 Year of University Probation
  • Parental notification
  • Possible loss of on-campus housing privileges
  • $150 Fine
  • External Drug and Alcohol Evaluation
  • 1 Year of University Probation
  • Parental notification
  • Possible loss of on-campus housing privileges

Marijuana and Other Drugs

First Violation Second Violation Third Violation
  • $75 Fine
  • Options Course
  • 1 Year of University Probation
  • Possible parental notification
  • $100 Fine
  • Options Course (2nd Offense)
  • 1 Year of University Probation
  • Parental notification
  • Possible loss of on-campus housing privileges
  • $150 Fine
  • External Drug and Alcohol Evaluation
  • 1 Year of University Probation
  • Parental notification
  • Possible loss of on-campus housing privileges
  • Explanations and Definitions
    • Collection of Fines – All monies collected are used in the implementation (materials, location, time) of the Options Course by the BHSU Counseling Center
    • Options Course – The Options course is a drug and alcohol education class facilitated through BHSU Counseling Center.
      • Options Courses get progressively more in-depth as the number of violations increases.
    • University Probation – University probation consists of the following:
      • University Staff is more aware of a student’s presence and movement in the hall/building.
      • Sanctions get stiffer if another violation occurs during this period.
      • Room search without consent/notice.
        • An unconsented and unannounced room search is a last resort, and then only if there is the belief there is a policy violation and with an Administrative Search Warrant
    • External Drug and Alcohol Evaluation
      • Evaluations are at the student's expense.
      • Results and recommendations from the evaluation are to be shared with the Student Conduct Officer
      • Results and recommendations will be considered for possible sanctions.
    • Housing Relocations
      • BHSU Residence Life has the authority to relocate students to different living accommodations (a different room or building) when necessary.
      • Relocations are determined by their benefit to the student and/or the community inside the residence hall.
    • Loss of housing privileges
      • BHSU Residence Life can release a student from their housing contract and ask that they vacate the residence hall.
      • The permanent removal of students from a residence hall is determined by the benefit to the student and/or the community inside the residence hall.

Fire Safety and Tampering with Fire Equipment

BHSU is committed to the safety of all on-campus residents; as such, it takes fire safety precautions very seriously. BHSU divides fire safety violations into minor and major violations. Please see below for possible violations and the accompanying sanctions.

Minor Violations: BHSU does not allow any of the following inside the residence halls or campus apartments:

  • Open flame devices including candles, incense, and smoking;
  • Open coil appliances such as hot plates and space heaters;
  • Negligent cooking includes cooking that is left without supervision and/or is the cause of a fire alarm; Negligent cooking may include supervised cooking even though the cooking/food causes or triggers a fire alarm;
  • Halogen lamps,
  • Extension cords, or
  • Outlet splitters
  • Having more than eight (8) people in a residence hall room or apartment at one time.
First Offense, Minor Second Offense, Minor Third Offense, Minor
  • Compliance Expectation Letter
  • Minimum of a $50 fine
  • Conduct Hearing
  • Minimum of a $100 fine
  • Educational Sanctioning
  • Conduct Hearing
  • Minimum of a $150 fine
  • Educational Sanctioning
  • Parental Notification
  • Possible Loss of on-campus living privileges

Major Violations: BHSU does not allow any of the following behavior in the residence halls or campus apartments.

  • Any prank or activity involving fire extinguishers (the removal and/or discharge of),
  • The possession of fireworks, flammable material, liquids, explosives, dangerous chemicals and noxious or harmful materials/objects.
    • All chemicals/explosives/fireworks found in any residence hall room are subject to immediate seizure by any staff member.
  • Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm or hindering the evacuation of other occupants during a fire alarm.
  • Tampering/abuse of fire equipment and/or any life/safety equipment.
  • False reporting to authorities – this includes intentionally pulling the fire alarm or setting off a false alarm.
  • Intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion that places another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury.
First Offense, Major Second Offense, Major
  • Conduct Hearing
  • Minimum fine of $250
  • Educational Sanctioning
  • University Probation
  • Possible Parental Notification
  • Possible Loss of on-campus living privileges
  • Possible suspension or expulsion
  • Conduct Hearing
  • Minimum fine of $500
  • Educational Sanctioning
  • University Probation
  • Possible Parental Notification
  • Possible loss of on-campus living privileges
  • Possible suspension or expulsion

Major Violations dealing with fire safety or fire safety equipment regularly involve law enforcement or other public officials. Several of the behaviors listed above could carry severe criminal charges and prosecution.

Smoking/Vaping in the Residence Halls

BHSU considers the use of vape pens, e-cigarettes, and other such devices as smoking. Using any of these devices in a campus building falls under this policy. The use of either is prohibited inside the residence halls and campus apartments

First Violation Second Violation Third Violation
  • Conduct Hearing
  • $50 fine
  • Educational Sanctioning
  • Conduct Hearing
  • $100 fine
  • Educational Sanctioning
  • Potential housing relocation
  • Conduct Hearing
  • $150 fine
  • Educational Sanctioning
  • Parental Notification
  • Possible loss of on-campus living privileges

Other Serious Behavior:

Below is a partial list of actions, behaviors, and items that are not permitted inside the residence halls, apartments, and academic buildings at BHSU. (see the Student Code of Conduct and Residential Standards of Living for details)

  • Sexual and Human Rights Violations
  • Acts of Aggression
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Controlled substances
  • Encouraging Code Violations
  • Falsifying Information
  • Damage to Property
  • Theft and Attempted Theft
  • Failure to Comply with a University Official

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact BHSU Residence Life at BHSUResidenceLife@bhsu.edu or call our office at 605-642-6464.

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