Washington and Lee University
University Board of Appeals - Student Judicial Council, DUI Case
The Office of the Dean of Students received an appeal by a student concerning "penalty too harsh - sanction inappropriate." The case concerned a student who was found responsible for a DUI and received a sanction of suspension. After a complete and thorough review of the available documents, the members of the University Board of Appeals (UBA) agreed to hear the appeal by a majority vote of 3-1.
On February 15, 2011 the UBA met to review the appeal. After a careful review of information, the UBA members agreed with the appellate by a majority vote of 3-1 that the sanction of suspension was "too harsh" and constituted an "inappropriate sanction." Subsequently, the UBA imposed a different sanction than the original conduct board by unanimous vote. These sanctions include:
The UBA agrees that a violation of the University's Initiatives on Alcohol and Other Drugs - DUI is contrary to the institutional values, goals, and mission of Washington and Lee University and thus deems that the listed sanctions are appropriate.
The hearing on February 15, 2011 was adjourned at 7:55PM.
University Board of Appeals (Law) - SJC, DUI Case
The Office of the Dean of Students received an appeal alleging that the Student Judicial Council (SJC) had made a procedural error in resolving a case in favor of a law student charged with having violated the University's alcohol policy--DUI. After a preliminary review of the appeal, the University Board of Appeals - Law (UBA) agreed by a 4-0 vote to consider it.
On February 14, 2011, the UBA met to consider the appeal. After reviewing the existing record of the SJC and a written statement by the accused student, the UBA unanimously determined that the SJC had made a procedural error in dismissing the complaint against the student. Subsequently, the UBA determined by a unanimous (4-0) vote that the law student was responsible for violating the University's alcohol policy - DUI. Accordingly, the UBA remanded the case to the SJC for imposition of an appropriate sanction within the established guidelines of the University's Initiatives on Alcohol and Other Drugs.
The UBA supports the University's policy on DUIs and considers violations of the policy to be contrary to the institutional values, goals, and mission of Washington and Lee University.
The UBA hearing was adjourned at 2:40 PM on Tuesday, February 14, 2011.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) - University Board of Appeals Hearing
The outcome of the University Board of Appeals (UBA) was based on a thorough review of Interfraternity Council's (IFC) sanctions for Sigma Alpha Epsilon's (SAE) violation of University's policy on hazing. On January 24, 2011 the IFC found SAE responsible for hazing and assigned various sanctions to address the violation. These sanctions, however, were appealed by a member of the Washington and Lee University community who indicated that IFC's sanction was "not appropriate." Members of the UBA unanimously voted (4-0) to review the appeal.
On February 7, 2011, members of the UBA held a hearing to review the case. After a long duration and thoughtful review of material, the UBA recessed until Monday, February 07, 2011 at 6:00 PM. On Monday, February 07, 2011, the UBA reconvened and reached its final decision.
Members of the University Board of Appeals would like to commend the Interfraternity Council on reaching a decision of responsibility in the case concerning hazing at the Washington and Lee University; however, by a majority vote (3-1), the UBA agreed that the original sanction rendered by the IFC was not appropriate. By a unanimous vote (4-0), the UBA affirms the University policy of "no tolerance" of hazing and renders the following sanction, effective immediately:
Hazing is contrary to the institutional values, goals, and mission of Washington and Lee University and is a criminal offense in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Given the clear finding by the IFC, the UBA agrees that any violation of hazing requires enforcement of University policy. Therefore, the UBA has determined that the sanctions outlined in the previous section of this document are appropriate.
Hearing adjourned on February 7, 2011 at 8:05 PM.
A student submitted a formal appeal the University Board of Appeals (UBA) on grounds of "penalty too harsh" for the sanction of "dismissal" as a result of violations of the Conduct Unbecoming of a Washington and Lee University student and University alcohol policy.
After a complete and thorough review of the appeal, the UBA elected to uphold the original decision of the Student Judicial Council by unanimous vote (4-0). The UBA's decision is in full compliance with the guidelines as established by the University Faculty and Students and the decision is final.
The hearing was adjourned at 8:20 PM on November 15, 2010.
