Sanctions in Student Conduct Process

The student conduct process has a series of phases that work toward identifying, assigning and designating the party responsible for actions that violate the Student Code of Conduct. The goal of Student Conduct Sanctions is finding responsibility. Students can accept responsibility or not accept responsibility for conduct violations during an informal hearing. They can also be found responsible or not responsible for student code of conduct violations during a formal adjudication. When an individual is found responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct, disciplinary sanctions or penalties are imposed. Disciplinary sanctions are designed to contribute to the growth and development of students engaged in the conduct process while also discouraging them from committing future violations.

Disciplinary sanctions are designed to provide fair consequences that align with the classifications of minor, moderate, or major violation descriptions found in the Student Code of Conduct. The objective of disciplinary sanctions issued by OSRR is to protect, preserve, and promote the safety of the college community and property.  There are two types of sanctions: administrative and educational.

• Administrative sanctions are formal actions and frequently relate to the status of the student at the College. In addition, administrative sanctions may be assigned independent of or in conjunction with educational sanctions.
• Educational sanctions are designed to include developmental activities related to specific acts of misconduct. The goals of educational sanctions are to reduce the probability of repeat behavior, to give students the opportunity to demonstrate personal growth and to appropriately restore behaviors conducive to NOVA’s academic environment. Educational sanctions may also be assigned independent of or in conjunction with administrative sanctions.

To learn more about student conduct sanctions, please review the Student Code of Conduct page on the NOVA website, or reach out to your campus Coordinator for Student Integrity and Conduct:

• Dr. Chevella Wilson (CHWilson@nvcc.edu): Loudoun and Woodbridge
• Lisa Zandel (LZandel1@nvcc.edu): Alexandria and Manassas
• Steven Mosley (SMosley@nvcc.edu): Annandale and Medical Education Campus

Submitted by:
Dr. Lawrence Nightingale, Director of OSRR, LNightingale@nvcc.edu