Honor System and Standards of Academic Conduct:

For suspension and expulsion, the transcript notation is permanent. 

A grade of ‘F’ in the course that results from a sanction may not be voided in any way, including by withdrawal from a course or from VCU, use of the Historical Repeat Course Option, or through the Grade Appeal Procedure.

Respondents may apply to the Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs, or designee, to have any transcript notation period reduced due to compelling mitigating circumstances. With the exception of expulsion.

Student Code of Conduct (not involving sexual violence):

For suspension and expulsion, the transcript notation is permanent. 

Lesser sanctions, such as censure, disciplinary probation, and deferred suspension do not affect a student’s academic standing and do not appear on the official transcript. 

Sexual Misconduct/Violence and Sex/Gender Discrimination/Student Code of Conduct:

A prominent notation shall be made on the academic transcript of each student who has been suspended for, has been expelled for, or withdraws from the institution while under investigation for an offense involving sexual violence. 

The notation shall  state that the student was suspended for, was expelled for, or withdrew from the institution while under investigation for an offense involving sexual violence under the institution's code, rules, or set of standards. Such notation shall be substantially in the following form: "[Suspended, Dismissed, or Withdrew while under investigation] for a violation of [insert name of institution's code, rules, or set of standards]." 

1. Removal:

When a respondent student is determined not to have committed an offense involving sexual violence under the institution’s codes, rules, or set of standards governing conduct the Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs will be notified to direct the University Registrar to remove the transcript notation. 

 

1. Expungement:

The institution shall remove from a student's academic transcript any notation placed on such transcript due to such student's suspension if the student has completed the term and any conditions of the suspension and has been determined by the institution to be in good standing according to the institution's code, rules, or set of standards governing such a determination. 

A student may petition the Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs to request expungement of the notation for good cause shown and after a period of three years.* 

The Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs will review petitions for early record expungements as well as transcript notation expungements based on the criteria above and will submit a recommendation to the Senior Vice Provost Division of Student Affairs for final approval. The decision will be based upon the following criteria: 

1. The nature of the violation(s) and the resulting impacts.
   2. The student’s behavior after the violation(s) and their present demeanor.
   3. The student’s demonstrated level of reflection and growth. 

After a petition is evaluated, the student will receive written notification of the decision. That decision will be final. 

It is important to note that a student with an expunged record or transcript notation may still need to disclose information about their disciplinary history to third parties, including potential employers, other universities’ admissions offices, a professional board, etc.

*A student may only petition to have one notation removed from the student's transcript. Any subsequent violations that result in a transcript notation will not be eligible for removal.

Note: these procedures and policies refer to notations placed by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on a student’s transcript.