Sanctioning Guidelines

Sanctioning guidelines have been adopted by Syracuse University to respond to substance abuse-related and other serious violations of the Student Conduct Code. Syracuse University seeks to deter students from engaging in conduct that poses risks to the safety and well-being of the individual student and/or the University community as a whole. Sanctioning guidelines are intended to alert students and other members of the University community to the seriousness of the following types of violations:

  • The Following Sanctioning Guidelines are in effect for the 2024-2025 Academic Year:

    CATEGORYFIRST VIOLATIONSECOND VIOLATIONTHIRD VIOLATION
    Use, possession, or purchase of alcohol under Prohibited circumstancesMedical Amnesty (refer to Part 12)

    Conduct Warning and educational activities including community involvement referral and/or educational project(s)
    Conduct Probation and educational activities including:
    Options Program referral and Community Involvement referral and/or other educational project(s)
    Suspension
    Supplying alcohol to underage person(s)Conduct Probation and educational activities including community involvement referral, community service, and/or educational project(s)SuspensionSuspension or Expulsion
    Extreme alcohol intoxication posing a substantial risk to the health and well-being of self and/or othersMedical Amnesty (refer to Part 12)

    Conduct Warning and educational activities including Options Program referral and educational assignments
    Conduct Probation and educational activities including Options Program referral, community involvement referral, and/or other educational project(s)

    Residential Relocation
    Suspension
    Manufacture or sale of alcohol under prohibited circumstancesConduct Probation and educational activities including community involvement referral, community service, and/or educational project(s)SuspensionSuspension or Expulsion
    Driving any motor vehicle while intoxicated or while under the influence of drugsConduct Probation and referral to Substance Abuse Counselors Program

    Suspension
    Suspension or ExpulsionExpulsion
    Use or possession of marijuana or marijuana paraphernaliaMedical Amnesty (refer to Part 12)

    Conduct Warning and educational activities including Options Program referral, community involvement referral, community service, and/or other educational project(s)
    Conduct Probation and educational activities including Options Program referral, community involvement referral, community service, and/or other educational project(s)Suspension
    Manufacture, sale, purchase, or distribution of marijuana or marijuana paraphernaliaConduct Probation with educational activities

    Suspension
    SuspensionExpulsion
    Use or possession of illegal drugs (other than marijuana) or controlled substances without an appropriate prescriptionConduct Probation and educational activities including Options Program referral, community involvement referral, community service, and/or other educational project(s)

    Suspension
    SuspensionSuspension or Expulsion
    Manufacture or sale of alcohol under prohibited circumstancesConduct Probation and educational activities including community involvement referral, community service, and/or educational project(s)SuspensionSuspension or Expulsion
    Extreme drug intoxication or abuse-related behavior posing a substantial risk to the health and well-being of self and/or othersConduct Probation and educational activities including Options Program referral, community involvement referral, and/or other educational project(s)

    Residential Relocation
    SuspensionSuspension of two (2) semesters or greater
    Manufacture, sale, purchase with intent to distribute, or distribution of illegal drugs or controlled substances other than marijuanaSuspension or ExpulsionExpulsion
    CATEGORYSANCTION
    Possession of a prohibited weapon or other dangerous object, including but not limited to, firearms, BB-guns, sling shots, airsoft guns, air rifles, explosive devices, fireworks, or any other dangerous, unlawful, or hazardous object or materialConduct Probation

    Expulsion from student housing

    Suspension or Expulsion


    Any improper use, attempted use, brandishing, or threat of use of a weapon or other dangerous, illegal, or hazardous object; any improper use as a weapon of any otherwise permitted object or materialSuspension or Expulsion
    CATEGORYSANCTION
    Physical harm or threat of physical harm without a weapon resulting in little or no physical injury to involved personsConduct Probation or Suspension

    Participation in the Conflict Resolution Program and the Options Program if alcohol or other drugs were a factor in the incident

    Community service and/or other educational sanctions
    Physical harm without a weapon resulting in significant physical injury to another personSuspension or Expulsion
    Targeted bullying without physical violenceConduct Probation or Suspension

    CATEGORYSANCTION
    Tampering with smoke detectors in on-campus residential facilitiesConduct Warning, educational projects, and residential probation
    Interference with, improper activation of, or damage to any elevator, or safety or emergency equipment, including, but not limited to: fire alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and blue lights; lighting any unauthorized fire on University propertyConduct Probation with appropriate educational sanctions or Suspension
    CATEGORYSANCTION
    Sexual harassment including unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and some visual and physical conduct of a sexual nature; stalking without threats of violenceConduct Probation with appropriate educational requirements

    Suspension
    Sexual assault, including, but not limited to sexual touching without consent, forcible touching; stalking with threats of harm; use of physical violence in a dating or sexual relationshipSuspension

    Expulsion
    Sexual intercourse without affirmative consentSuspension of two (2) semesters or greater

    Expulsion
    Retaliation against an individual who has filed a report of gender-related violence/ harassmentConduct Probation with appropriate educational projects

    Suspension

    Expulsion
    CATEGORYSANCTION
    Evidence that the student’s conduct violation was motivated by bias regarding a targeted individual or group’s real or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, reproductive health decisions, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and/or veteran status.Enhanced sanction may include:

    Conduct Probation

    Suspension
    Evidence that a student’s conduct was motivated by bias and materially threatened the health or safety of a targeted individual or group.Enhanced sanction may include:

    Suspension

    Expulsion
    CATEGORYSANCTION
    Participation in, promotion of, or perpetuation of hazing.Suspension

    Expulsion
    Knowledge of hazing and failing to report or intervene in a situation that threatens the health and safety of another individual.Suspension

    Expulsion

    CATEGORYSANCTION
    For student leaders, failure to intervene or notify the University when the student leader knows of a situation that threatens the health and safety of another individual or the campus community. Conduct Probation and educational sanctions
    For student leaders, participating and/or assisting in a situation that threatens the health and safety of another individual or the campus community. Conduct Probation and educational sanctions

    Suspension

    CATEGORYSANCTION
    Participation in, or promotion of a student organization that has lost University recognition on a temporary or permanent basis.Suspension

Sanctions are designed to provide meaningful consequences for violations of University expectations and ensure that students are provided opportunities to access education, counseling, and support. In all cases, the appropriate sanctions will be determined on a case-by-case basis in light of all the circumstances. The presence of substantial mitigating or other appropriate circumstances may result in the reduction or augmentation of sanctioning guidelines.

Bias Sanction Enhancement Clause: Conduct motivated by bias against a targeted individual’s or group’s protected characteristics can negatively impact students’ ability to succeed to their fullest in our community and may also threaten health and safety. Evidence sufficient to show it is more likely than not that a student’s misconduct was motivated by bias regarding an individual or group’s actual or perceived creed, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, reproductive health decisions, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, marital status, political or social affiliation, age, race, color, veteran status, military status, religion, sexual orientation, domestic violence status, genetic information, gender identity, and/or gender expression may result in more substantial sanction(s).