Interim Suspension Procedure
For Individual Students and Registered Organization | Updated November 2023
Interim Suspension Procedure
For Individual Students and Student Organizations
Interim suspension is a temporary action that is protective in nature. It is designed to mitigate the risk to the university community by deterring future prohibited conduct, often while conduct charges are pending for reported misconduct. It is separate and distinct from the processes of investigation and adjudication undertaken pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct and other VCU policies and regulations, including Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy – Interim and Sex-Based Misconduct Policy - Interim. Interim suspensions may be issued by the Threat Assessment Team.
If a student or student organization violates the terms of an interim suspension, that student or student organization may be subject to additional disciplinary action by the University, arrest, and/or criminal prosecution.
1. Standard for Interim Suspension
The university may issue an interim suspension, through the Dean of Student Advocacy or designee, as a temporary measure to remove a student or student organization reasonably believed to pose a threat to the University community. Such a threat may involve a significant risk to the health or safety of any member of the University community, including the student, to University property, or to University operations, including the educational process. An interim suspension is issued after receiving information that a student or student organization may be charged with a violation of VCU policy or state or federal law involving acts of violence or other serious conduct
For interim suspension of a respondent under the jurisdiction of the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy – Interim or Sex-Based Misconduct Policy, the standard is described in the applicable policy (Section 8 governing Emergency Removal).
2. Definition and Scope of Interim Suspension
An interim suspension is the immediate removal of a student or student organization from the University and may include, but is not limited to, exclusion from University property (including facilities and premises owned or leased by the University), exclusion from University activities (including classes and programs), and revocation of University privileges (including access to gym facilities and attending athletic events). In certain cases, an interim suspension of an individual student may warrant administrative withdrawal from classes.
3. Notice of Interim Suspension and Required Response
The suspending official shall provide to the student or student organization an electronic Notice of Interim Suspension (“Notice”) sent via email to the student or student organization President, which includes the following terms:
- The basis for the interim suspension;
- The scope of the interim suspension, whether comprehensive or prohibiting the student or student organization only from selected University property, activities, and/or privileges;
- The process for interim suspension review;
- The university official as a contact for questions about the terms of the interim suspension and for permission to enter University property for certain limited purposes, such as attending a student conduct proceeding;
- Additional university directives, such as no contact directives, if any.
An individual student receiving a Notice must act immediately as follows:
- Exit the portions of University property identified in the notice and shall not reenter any such property unless in compliance with a written authorization. In certain cases, a student placed on interim suspension will be escorted off University property by VCU Police.
- Reply to the Notice with details of any university employment or other activities that require their attendance other than courses in which they are enrolled.
4. Interim Suspension Review
The Associate Vice President/Dean of Student Advocacy or designee (“Reviewer” will review an interim suspension within 2 working days of the Notice or as soon as reasonably practical thereafter. The student or student organization will have an opportunity to meet with the Reviewer in person or virtually, to be determined by the reviewing official in consultation with the individual student or student organization President. A student or student organization is encouraged to bring a support person or advisor to this meeting. The Reviewer will consider all information available, including information from the student or student organization, to determine if the interim suspension should stay in place or should be amended, or lifted.
The Reviewer may require the interimly suspended student or student organization to provide additional information relevant to the determination of health and safety risks posed by the student or student organization, and the timeframe for decisions outlined herein may be extended in order to enable the development and review of such information. The Reviewer shall notify the student in writing of their decision to uphold, modify, or terminate the interim suspension within three (3) working days of the review meeting or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter.
5. Release of an Interim Suspension
An interim suspension may be lifted as a result of the review process. If an interim suspension is lifted following the review, the student or student organization regains full privileges that were previously removed, as outlined in their notice.
If the interim suspension remains in place after the review (either fully or amended), the interim suspension will be reviewed when new information is learned, at the conclusion of a conduct process through Student Conduct and Academic Integrity/Title IX, or every thirty (30) days, whichever is sooner.
Following each review, the Reviewer or designee will send the student or student organization an update regarding the interim suspension status.
This section below applies only to student organizations.
6. Conditions for student organizations
VCU’s interim suspension process is separate and independent from any process by an International/National Headquarters/National Office Oversight.
Interim suspension of a student organization requires the immediate ceasing of all student organization operations and activities unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Reviewer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Students
You are currently unable to attend or participate in your classes (this includes work in Canvas, group projects, attending virtual and in-person classes, etc.). There are a lot of factors to consider with your classes, based upon the outcome of a review of your interim suspension. Once you have your review meeting, you will have an opportunity to meet with a speciality designated academic advisor, and a member of the Dean of Students team, to discuss any additional academic options available to you and also how this could impact your academic future at VCU.
You are welcome to email your faculty members to let them know that you are currently unable to participate in your classes. Know the Dean of Student Advocacy Office communicates with your faculty members after the interim suspension is issued and keeps them updated on the status of your interim suspension.
While on interim suspension, there is a hold on your account to prevent physical access to university buildings, residence halls, and university processes. There is a temporary notation on your transcript indicating your interim suspension status through the duration of the interim suspension. Both the hold and the notation are removed once the interim suspension is lifted.
It is highly recommended that you await a meeting with an appointed academic advisor after your review meeting. The Dean of Students team can assist you from withdrawing, if necessary, utilizing processes that will benefit you.
If you would like to request a tuition refund, you can complete the Refund Waiver Appeal Form. We encourage you to contact your financial aid advisor to discuss the impact withdrawing has on your financial aid.
No. As you are not permitted on-campus, you are also not permitted to remain in university housing. You must leave your residence hall immediately. Please contact Kenzel Hill at hillka@vcu.edu to begin the process of retrieving any necessary items. Some items to consider retrieving include clothing, school supplies, medications, hygiene items, and toiletries from your residence hall room.
To cancel your housing, visit Housing Cancellation. You may also reach out to Kenzel Hill to ask additional questions or facilitate your move-out.
To cancel your dining plan, visit vcu.campusdish.com, email Dining@vcu.edu or contact VCU Dining Services at (804) 828-1148, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. You will need your VCU V# to facilitate the cancellation.
You are unable to participate in any on-campus employment or in academic related internships or co-ops while you are on interim suspension. You need to communicate with your appeal reviewer who your employer is and what work you do for them. The Dean of Student Advocacy will provide notice to your employer.
You are welcome to let your student organization leadership or advisor know about your interim suspension. You are unable to participate in any university affiliated student organization or events, meetings, activities, etc. hosted by or affiliated with any university affiliated student organization while you are interimly suspension.
Student organizations include but not limited to club sports, fraternities and sororities, academic honor societies, dance groups, or general student organizations listed on RamsConnect.
While on interim suspension, you are unable to be on VCU property, this includes the any academic building, the University Commons, Cabell Library, Cary Street Gym, etc. For all VCU listed properties, please visit VCU Maps.
You can contact the individual who sent you interim suspension notice or your appeal reviewer.
Student Organizations
While your organization is on interim suspension, the organization is unable to hold any meetings. This include but not limited to chapter meetings, general body meetings, executive board meetings, and new member meetings.
The only exception is any meeting with your organization’s advisor to directly discuss and prepare for the student conduct process for your organization.
While your organization is on interim suspension, you are unable to participate in any activities, events, philanthropy, community service, and alumni events. This includes any Headquarter organization events including but not limited to conventions, conferences, leadership activities/retreats.
We encourage you to evaluate any event and activity through the lens of “would this event/activity take place outside the context of this organization?” If the activity is in any way related to the organization or greater overseeing organization, then members of the organization are unable to participate in the activity or event. We recommend you connect with VCU professionals who support your organization (i.e. Fraternity and Sorority Life, RecWell, Office of Student Engagement, etc.) to further discuss any questions or concerns related to organizationals events.
While your organization is on interim suspension, you are unable to participate in any recruitment events. This includes pre-planned, co-hosted, individual events. Your organization is unable to meet with any potential new members for the purposes of recruitment.
While your organization is on interim suspension, you are unable to attend any events as members of your organization. This would include any alumni events, alumni initiatives, alumni community service opportunities, etc.
Yes. A member of VCU will notify your national organization/headquarters leadership.
While your organization is on interim suspension, your organization is unable to participate in any event, including virtual, remote, or in-person opportunities.