Student Conduct Procedures

In the event of an alleged violation of GSAS or university policy by a student organization, the incident may be reviewed and addressed by GSAS. At the discretion of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, individual students involved in organizational violations of any additional GSAS or university policies may be addressed through the GSAS disciplinary procedures or referred to the appropriate Yale office.

Violations of GSAS or university policy are considered organizational violations if one or more of the items below are present:

• Any members of the organization are aware of an incident that is a potential violation before it takes place with advance knowledge to prevent its occurrence, but do not prohibit the incident from happening.

• Any members of the organization are aware of the identity of organization members involved in the incident but refuse to divulge the identity to the university.
• The incident involves the expenditure of organization funds either formally or informally.
• The incident is endorsed by members of the organization in any way.
• The incident takes place during a scheduled organizational event or meeting.
• The incident involves failure to adhere to published organizational policies or policies discussed during organizational training sessions.
• The alleged misconduct can be reasonably associated with the organization.

When GSAS is notified of an incident allegedly involving a student organization, there may be a review of all reported and relevant information. The review may include preliminary meetings with student organization leaders, individual interviews with general members or other witnesses, and the collection of any other relevant information. Upon completion of a review, information will be assessed by the Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or designee and the following process will begin:

• The Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee will schedule a meeting with a student organization.
• A notice of the time, date and location of the meeting will be sent to the student leader via university email prior to the meeting. This notification will also include a brief incident description and the specific policies to be addressed in the meeting.
• A request for a postponement of up to five additional days for a meeting may be made.
• If a student leader does not attend the meeting, a decision will be made in their absence, and they will forfeit the right to appeal.
• At the meeting, the student leader may be joined by the organization’s official adviser and/or a representative from the inter/national headquarters or designee. Advisers serve as a support person during meetings, and can assist with meeting preparation; however, advisers cannot advocate or speak for an organization.
• The procedural rights for student organizations will be reviewed, followed by a review of the alleged violations of GSAS/university policy.
• The student leader is then asked to declare if the student organization and/or the individual member(s) are responsible for any of the alleged violations.
• The student leader may present relevant information, which may include witness statements acquired by the student(s).
• The Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee will question the student leader.
• The Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee will decide if the student organization is responsible or not responsible for the violation(s) based on the evidence presented.
• The Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee will find an organization responsible if the violation is proven by the information presented; that is, based on the information the Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee finds credible and convincing.
• The sanction(s) may be delivered at the conclusion of the meeting or following the meeting.
• At the time the decision is rendered, the student leader will receive the outcome letter, which includes the finding and any sanction(s).
• A copy of the meeting outcome and any formal sanction letters are kept on file. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences does not permit the release of any organization conduct records.

• Notice - The right to be informed in writing of the specific alleged violation(s) in which the organization is suspected of involvement.

• Procedures - The right to be informed verbally and/or in writing of the organization conduct procedures.

• Information - The right to know the nature of the alleged violations prior to the meeting and to object to information being heard that is unrelated to the incident.

• Witness Statements - The right to present written witness statements in a meeting.

• Adviser - The right to have the organization’s official adviser and/or, at the discretion of the Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee, someone from the inter/national headquarters attend the meeting. The individual(s) may not address the Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee but may consult freely with the student organization representative.

• Meeting - The right to request a postponement, subject to the availability of Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee, of up to five business days from the original meeting date.

• Written Decision - The right to have a written response reporting the results of the meeting. Appeal - The right to request an appeal of a meeting, if found responsible. Student organizations who fail to attend their meeting forfeit their right to request an appeal.

Student organizations found in violation of university policy will have one or more of the following sanctions imposed on them:

• Closure - A permanent separation of the student organization from the university without the possibility of return.
• Suspension - A fixed period of time (at least one semester) during which the student organization may not participate in any university activities and is not recognized by the university. At that time, the organization’s events/trips/fundraisers are canceled, budget (if they have one) is frozen, and they are restricted from functioning as a student organization. At the end of the suspension period, the student organization may regain recognition upon the recommendation of and the completion of any sanctions assigned by the Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee.
• Deferred Suspension - A notice to a student organization that their actions are of such a serious nature that removal of university recognition is being considered. The university will defer the suspension as long as the student organization meets all requirements. Deferred suspension will last a minimum of one semester. Any future violations during this time may result in immediate removal of university recognition for a period of time and the possibility of additional sanctions.

While on deferred suspension, the organization may lose privileges including but not limited to:

• events/trips/fundraisers
• budget access (if they have one)
• ability to reserve space
• use of Yale University name
• other restrictions at the discretion of the Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee

All organization business must be approved by the university while on deferred suspension. At the end of the deferred suspension period, all lost privileges and eligibility shall be restored.

Conduct Probation - A serious encumbrance on the student organization’s good standing in the university community. Conduct probation will last a minimum of one semester and any subsequent violations during the probationary period may be viewed as both a violation of university policy and a violation of the probation. While on conduct probation, the organization may lose privileges including but not limited to:

• events/trips/fundraisers
• budget access (if they have one)
• ability to reserve space
• use of Yale University name
• other restrictions at the discretion of the conduct officer

At the end of the conduct probation period, all lost privileges shall be restored.

A student organization placed on conduct probation three times within a five-year period shall be suspended as an organization, as described above, for at least one semester.

• Student Organization Warning - A notice to the student organization, which creates an organizational conduct file. Additional violations may result in more serious disciplinary action. The reprimand becomes part of the student organization’s permanent file.

• Substance Restriction - The student organization is to have only alcohol-free events through the date specified. The organization is encouraged to have as many substance-free events as they would like; this is in no way meant to limit their members’ experience. Only organizations that are authorized to host events with alcohol can be placed on substance restriction.

• Loss of Privileges - Organizations may be restricted from participation in university awards, recognition and events.

• Restitution - The student organization and/or member(s) are required to make payment to Yale and/or other persons, groups or organizations for damages incurred as a result of violations of university policy.

• Educational Sanctions - Additional sanctions such as facilitating a program, writing a paper, attending a program/class, or completing an online program that are given for violations of university policy in conjunction with student organization warning, conduct probation, deferred suspension or suspension.

Note: Yale staff may partner with inter/national organizations and/or governing bodies when establishing conduct outcomes.

Student organization conduct decisions may be appealed. Appeals are accepted for the following reasons:

• Additional and/or new relevant information not available at the time of the meeting
• An error in the conduct process, as outlined in the Student Organization Conduct Procedures, which materially affected the outcome of the meeting

A formal appeal specifying the grounds upon which the appeal is based and supporting information must be submitted within two business days after receipt of the meeting decision. Sanction(s) imposed by the Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee may be held in abeyance until the appeal is reviewed by the appeal officer at the discretion of the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or their designee. The appeal specifies the grounds upon which the appeal is based, and how those grounds materially affected the outcome of the original meeting.

Once the appeal is submitted, the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or their designee will review the appeal. Student organizations who fail to attend their original meeting forfeit the right to request an appeal. The Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or their designee determines whether there are grounds for an appeal meeting. If the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or their designee determines that it should be granted, they may conduct an appeal meeting. Similar to their initial meeting, the student organization may bring the organization adviser and/or a representative from the inter/national headquarters to their appeal meeting if the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or their designee agrees. Representative(s) from the initial meeting may be called to attend the appeal meeting. The appeal officer may decide:

• To concur with the Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee. In this case, the initial decision is final.
• To modify the finding(s) and/or sanction(s) decided by the Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards or their designee. The appeal decision is final.
• Student organization members will be notified of the appeal decision in writing. The appeal decision is final.

The Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or designee has the authority to issue interim measures when there is a threat to safety or due to the severity of the underlying incident.

A student organization may not hold or participate in any events during the interim conduct suspension. The suspension is inclusive of all members at all events including social, philanthropic, sisterhood/brotherhood, educational, as well as general chapter or organization business/adviser meetings, practices, and/or competitions, or any other event a reasonable observer would deem a student organization event.

Requests for any organizational activities must be made in writing to the Associate Director of Student Support and Community Standards and approved in writing by the staff. The student organization will be notified following the review and/or the Student Organization Conduct Process of its status moving forward.

The purpose of this Anti-Hazing Policy (“policy”) is to prohibit hazing in all forms, ensure compliance with federal and Connecticut State law, and promote a safe and respectful campus environment. Hazing undermines the integrity of student life, endangers individuals, and is inconsistent with the mission, vision, and values of Yale University. Yale Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) prohibits hazing of any member of the Yale community by a student organization, group of students or individual. See the full policy here: https://secretary.yale.edu/policy-against-hazing

Acts of discrimination and harassment are contrary to the community standards and ideals of our university. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences partners with other university offices to address incidents of discrimination and harassment on an individual and organizational basis.

Information regarding the university's enforcement of Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be found here: https://oiea.yale.edu/discrimination-harassment