Interim & Supportive Measures

Student Code of Conduct

Interim Measures:

1. No Contact Directive

An official university directive that serves as notice to a student or Registered Student Organization (RSO) prohibiting verbal, electronic, written, or third-party communications with another individual. The university may issue a no-contact directive as a supportive measure in order to enhance the safety of all parties, the broader university community, and/or to protect the integrity of the university’s investigation and resolution process. A no-contact directive is a non-disciplinary, non-punitive measure; although failure to abide by the terms of a no-contact directive could result in disciplinary action under this policy.

2. Interim Suspension

Temporary measures to remove a student or RSO reasonably believed to pose a threat to the university community. For individual students, refer to the Interim Suspension procedure.

For RSO, the Dean of Students office or appropriate Student Affairs designee may issue an interim suspension. Such threat may involve a significant risk to the health or safety of any member of the University community, including the student, University property, or to University operations, or the educational process. An interim suspension is also authorized upon information that an RSO has been or is likely to be charged with a violation of VCU policy or state or federal law involving acts of violence or other serious conduct that would reasonably support a finding that the RSO is not fit to remain a part of the University community, pending the outcome of university or legal proceedings.

A suspending official shall provide to the RSO a written or electronic Notice of Interim Suspension (“Notice”), which includes the following terms:

  • The basis for the interim suspension;
  • The scope of the interim suspension, whether comprehensive or prohibiting the RSO only from selected University property, activities, or privileges;
  • The process for appeal and review of the interim suspension; and
  • The appropriate contact in the Division of Student Affairs or other administrative units for questions about the terms of the interim suspension and for permission to enter University property for certain limited purposes, such as attending a conduct proceeding.

Immediately upon receipt of the notice of interim suspension, the RSO shall not be permitted to function unless in compliance with explicit instructions or directives in the notice. If an RSO violates the terms of an interim suspension, that RSO may be subject to disciplinary action by the University and/or criminal prosecution.

The RSO placed on interim suspension may submit a written appeal to the Student Affairs designee specified in the notice of interim suspension and must follow any appeal instructions provided in the notice. The appeal must be filed within three business days (unless otherwise noted) of receiving the suspending official’s decision unless an extension has been requested and approved by the Senior Vice Provost or designee. The Student Affairs designee shall notify the RSO in writing of his or her decision to uphold, modify, or terminate the interim suspension within three (3) days of receiving the written appeal or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter. The decision of the designee shall be final and is not subject to further appeal. The designee may require a suspended RSO to provide additional information relevant to the determination of health and safety risks posed by the RSO, and the timeframe for decisions outlined herein may be extended in order to enable the development and review of such information.

Supportive Measures:

Non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services are offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge. Supportive measures are designed to support individuals affected by conduct under investigation without unreasonably burdening the other individuals, including measures designed to protect the safety of members of the university community or deter conduct prohibited under the policy.