This document sets out the procedure for placing students who have been found to have committed misconduct under administrative sanctions, such as probation, suspension, and expulsion from the University. 

Scope

This is an institution-wide procedure, used by the administrative and academic staff for students who have violated the University’s policies and standards. 

Referenced Laws, Regulations, and/or Policies 

This is the University procedure. 

Procedures

Students who have been found to have violated the University’s rules and regulations, policies, ethical standards, or the Students’ code of conduct and have been assigned an administrative penalty shall have their penalties handled according to this procedure. 

a ) Probation 

A probationary period is typically, though not limited to, a ‘watch’ period of a semester. The recommendation for probation shall be shared with the Student Affairs Department, the Registrar’s Office, and the Dean’s Office. The Registrar’s Office will bring the recommendation to the University Management Committee.

The University Management Committee may approve, increase, decrease, or dismiss the penalty. The Committee’s decision is final. Once a decision is made, the responsible member of the Committee will notify the Registrar’s Office, which will then communicate the decision and the duration of probation in writing to the student and relevant departments.

The purpose of a probation is to give a warning to a student regarding unacceptable behavior formally, and that repeating this behavior will lead to more serious penalties. While on probation, a student may continue their studies as well as participate in regular student activities. When the ‘watch’ period is completed, as determined by the responsible member of the University Management Committee, the Registrar’s Office will notify the student in writing regarding the completion or continuation of the probation status.

A student who repeats the misconduct while on probation would be subject to a more severe penalty, including suspension or expulsion.

b ) Suspension

A suspension is a forced temporary leave from the University. The recommendation for suspension shall be submitted by the relevant department to the Registrar’s Office.. The Registrar’s Office will bring the recommendation to the University Management Committee, which will invite the student to present their case. 

The University Management Committee may approve, increase, decrease, or dismiss the penalty. The Committee’s decision is final. Once a decision is made, the responsible member of the Committee will notify the Registrar’s Office, which will then communicate the suspension decision, including the effective dates, duration, and conditions for return, in writing to the student and relevant departments.

If the suspension is upheld, the Registrar’s Office will update the student’s status to “Suspended” for the duration of the penalty. 

During suspension, the student:

• Will not have access to the online learning platform, library, tools or participate in student activities,

• Will not receive refunds for any fees already paid,

• Will not be required to pay any additional fees during the suspension period.

At the end of the suspension period, the Registrar’s Office will notify the student in writing and reinstate the student’s status to “Active,” provided all conditions for return are met.

c ) Expulsion

Expulsion from the University is the most serious penalty that can be assigned to a student and usually only applies when there has been repeated behavior of misconduct.

The recommendation for expulsion shall be shared with the Student Affairs Department, the Registrar’s Office, and the Dean’s Office. The Registrar’s Office will bring the recommendation to the University Management Committee, which will invite the student to present their case.

The University Management Committee may approve, decrease, or dismiss the penalty. The Committee’s decision is final. Once a decision is made, the responsible member of the Committee will notify the Registrar’s Office, which will then communicate the expulsion decision, including the effective date and any eligibility for future re-enrollment, in writing to the student and relevant departments.

If the expulsion is upheld, the Registrar’s Office will update the student’s status to “Expelled” and remove the student from all active enrollment records, and the Registrar will inform the Admissions and Student Affairs Department.

A student who has been expelled is not eligible to re-enroll in the University for a period of one year from the effective date of expulsion. If a student wishes to re-enroll after the required period, they must contact the Admissions and Student Affairs department. The Admissions and Student Affairs Department must then submit the re-enrollment application to the University Management for review. The University Management Committee may approve or deny the request for re-enrollment. The Committee’s decision is final.  If re-enrollment is approved, the Admissions Office will inform the Registrar’s Office, which will then notify the student and the Admissions Office in writing. The Admissions Office will then proceed with the re-enrollment process, including the financial aid considerations. If the request is denied, the Admissions Office will notify the student, and the application will not be processed.

d ) Other

Other administrative sanctions may be considered beyond those listed above. For these, the misconduct case and proposed sanction will be brought by a relevant department to the University Management Committee for consideration. The University Management Committee may approve, modify, or dismiss the proposed sanction. The Committee’s decision is final.

If a sanction is assigned, the responsible member of the Committee will notify the Registrar’s Office, which will then communicate the decision in writing to the student and relevant departments. The University Management Committee will designate the appropriate department to implement the assigned sanction, and that department will act accordingly.

Review

The Dean’s Office, Registrar’s Office, Admissions and Student Affairs department, and University Management committee, are responsible for ensuring compliance with these procedures.

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