We’ve all had those crazy nights when you lose a shoe or can’t remember where all your money, credit card, or phone disappeared. Those are minor things in comparison to an alcohol violation. Wake up with a yellow warning slip and you know you’re in for more than a trip to AT&T. Fear not, you’re Her Campus author will guide all of you lovely collegiates™ through the SMU Conduct Procedure.
- Violation – To go through the SMU Conduct Procedure, you have to violate university rules. The most common violations are underage alcohol and drug use.
- Report Received – After you’re caught in the act, a complaint will be filed or you’ll receive a report. The officer will usually give you a slip at the time of your crime or you’ll receive an email within a week of the violation. The email will outline what laws you broke, who your conduct officer is, and when and where your conduct meeting will be held. In 2010, there were 44 arrests and 247 referrals to the Conduct Office.
- The Hearing – Most hearings occur on the 2nd floor of the Memorial Health Center. You’ll meet with your officer to discuss your offense and go over the punishment. Your parents will be notified after your hearing. All first time offenses for substance abuse or an alcohol violation result in parental notification via a letter. Your BAC will be in the letter. Now’s the time to call your parents and tell them about that night before they read about it.
- Sanctions – If you’re found guilty at your hearing, and most students are, you’ll receive several sanctions. If this is your first offense, you’ll receive written notice of your violation, be forced to complete E-Chug, attend an individual assessment at the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, pay a $100 fine, and complete an educational sanction that could include a reflection paper, a class, or meetings with a Conduct Officer.
After your first offense, the consequences continue to rise. Get another offense, and freshmen can no longer go through rush. If you reach a fourth offense, you’ll be dismissed from the university. The sanctions are even steeper for drug use. The first offense alone results in a $500 fine and deferred suspension. If you’re caught again, you’re expelled.
However, don’t be afraid to call for help if you’re concerned about the health of another student. Students who seek medical aid for themselves will qualify for Medical Amnesty and will not be forced to go through the SMU Discipline Process. You can also call for a friend if you yourself have been drinking and qualify for exemption from the discipline process as a Good Samaritan. In both cases, you will still be required to meet with the Drug and Alcohol Center, but sanctions won’t be issued and your parents aren’t notified.
Most alcohol violations occur in McElvaney, so remember to always put your shoes on before you get out of the cab, to have your key card ready, and to keep your drinking under control. I don’t want to read about any of you in the SMU Police report.
For more information go to:
http://smu.edu/smunews/liveresponsibly/ask-the-experts.asp – code-of-conduct
http://smu.edu/healthcenter/alcoholeducation/adp_socialnorms.asp
Photo Credit: SMU Police Department Website