Washington and Lee University
The Student Judicial Council (SJC) enforces a three-strike system with specific consequences for violations of University alcohol/drug policies by individuals. The Student Judicial Council is advised by a professional staff member through the Office of the Dean of Students and all action is reported to the University faculty through the Student Affairs Committee. While a probationary period is normally associated with an alcohol/other drug violation, at a minimum, action remains on a student’s permanent disciplinary record after the completion of any assigned probationary period. To the extent required by federal and state laws, a record will be maintained of any processes including those procedures resulting in “not guilty” verdicts.
Conviction of an alcohol- or drug-related violation of the law in the City of Lexington and Rockbridge County shall be a strike and is handled administratively. The exception to this are convictions related to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs; this policy is outlined below. The following confirmed violations of the University alcohol and other drug policies and standards may or may not be determined by the University’s administration or the Student Judicial Council to constitute a “strike”:
A violation of University residential alcohol or drug policies (handled administratively);
Misconduct that violates other University alcohol or drug policies;
Drunkenness, when it results in behavior that draws attention to oneself or endangers self or others;
Alcohol or drug violations within first-year residence halls, including possession of alcohol or other drugs, are handled administratively and are not heard by the Student Judicial Council.
Conviction of possession/use of illegal drugs within any campus residence results in removal from the residence without refund.
A court's imposition of First-Offender's Status, or deferred adjudication, including any continuance of the case under advisement for an alcohol or drug-related offense (other than DUI as described below) where the student admits to the misconduct, enters a plea of Nolo Contendere or "did not contest,” and where an affirmative sanction is imposed by the court fine or community service), will result in a strike under these guidelines and shall be handled administratively.
Sanctions as follows:
First Strike: Mandatory education and counseling, plus $100 fine. Parents or legal guardian(s) of undergraduate students notified upon a finding of violation. One calendar year probationary period from date of incident.
Second Strike (within 12 months of the first incident): Mandatory education and counseling plus a minimum of a $100 fine and maximum of a $200 fine, up to and including suspension for a full term or full semester. Parents or legal guardian(s) of undergraduate students notified upon charge and disposition. These cases are automatically heard by the Student Judicial Council.
Third Strike (within 12 months of the first incident): Sanction up to and including dismissal from the University plus a minimum of a $200 fine and maximum of a $350 fine. Mandatory education and counseling for those students not dismissed. Parents or legal guardian(s) of undergraduate students notified upon charge and disposition. These cases are automatically heard by the Student Judicial Council.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Other Drugs
Independent of the three-strike system, the SJC may suspend or dismiss a student found to have driven a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs in the City of Lexington or Rockbridge County. Students who are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol with a Blood Alcohol Content of .15 or greater are suspended from the University without hearing. There is a presumption of suspension as the sanction by the Student Judicial Council for students who are convicted of “Refusal” when arrested for a DUI offense.
Students who are suspended for any alcohol/drug-related reason, whether administratively or by the Student Judicial Council, are required to participate in alcohol/other drug education prior to consideration for reinstatement to the University.
All disciplinary actions are subject to appeal to the University Board of Appeals as provided in the University Student Handbook.