Interim Administrative Actions and Withdrawal
Interim Administrative Actions and Withdrawal from the University
In extreme cases, prompt and decisive action may be required before there is an opportunity to conduct a hearing, as in cases where the student’s continued presence on campus may impede the orderly functioning of the university or constitutes an immediate threat to the well-being or property of the university community. The president, provost, vice president for finance and administration, vice president for Student Life, or persons functioning under their authority may carry out that immediate directive. Potential administrative actions pending the outcome of a student conduct process may include any combination of (but not limited to): re-assignment of residential housing assignment; immediate removal from campus owned operated housing; restricted access to campus facilities, services operations and activities; removal from a study abroad or study USA course; or involuntary withdrawal/interim suspension.
Students shall have a prompt meeting with the dean of students, assistant dean of students, or designee to review the behavior that forms the basis for the administrative action. This meeting will clarify the process required to resolve the allegation.
Withdrawal in Lieu of a Hearing
Under certain conditions, the dean of students (or designee) may allow a student charged with violating the Code of Conduct to withdraw from the university rather than face a student conduct hearing. A student must request to withdraw in lieu of a hearing, stipulate that the petition is voluntary, and acknowledge awareness that they will not be eligible to re-apply or return to Elon University in the future. If the request is approved, the individual may not be present on the Elon campus, stay in campus owned or operated housing, or participate in any university or student sponsored events or activities on or off the campus. Should the student request that their conduct history be shared with another college or university (as is often required when a student attempts to enroll in another college or university), the Office of Student Conduct will indicate that they withdrew in lieu of a hearing and may include the outstanding charges.
Additional information about withdrawals may be found in the Academic Catalog here: https://elon.smartcatalogiq.com/current/Academic-Catalog/General-Academic-Regulations/Withdrawal-and-Leave-of-Absence
Withdrawal Pending a Hearing
Students accused of some crimes or serious Code of Conduct violations may request to take a leave from Elon University. To request a withdrawal pending a hearing, the student must request such an option in writing, stipulate that the petition is voluntary, and acknowledge awareness that they must meet the following conditions:
- Comply with all campus investigative efforts;
- Comply with all interim actions and/or restrictions imposed during the leave of absence; and
- Complete the hearing/decision process before they may be considered for readmission to the university. Individuals found responsible for Code of Conduct violations must complete sanction requirements before being readmitted and may be required to meet other conditions to continue enrollment.
Until the hearing/decision process is complete, the student may not be present on the Elon campus, stay in campus owned or operated housing, or participate in any university or student sponsored events or activities on or off the campus. Should the student request that their conduct history be shared with another college or university (as is often required when a student attempts to enroll in another college or university), the Office of Student Conduct would indicate that they withdrew pending a hearing and may list the outstanding charges.
Additional information about withdrawals may be found in the Academic Catalog here: https://elon.smartcatalogiq.com/current/Academic-Catalog/General-Academic-Regulations/Withdrawal-and-Leave-of-Absence
Cease Contact Directives
University cease contact directives are issued to enhance safety, prevent retaliation and/or avoid an ongoing hostile environment, and to prevent substantial disruption through unwanted contact or communication in the educational or employment environment. A cease contact directive is a written notice issued to a student or an employee, directing the student or employee not to contact a specific student or employee. Cease contact directives are issued mutually to the involved parties. Issuance of a cease contact directive is an administrative action taken by the applicable department (typically Dean of Students, Human Resources, Student Conduct, or the Office of Compliance and Title IX).
Cease contact directives may be after the administrative review of a request from a student or employee, as part of an investigation into an alleged policy violation, or to proactively address the potential for substantial community disruption, such as in response to reports of threats or acts of violence or ongoing objective disruption to a classroom, residence hall, or work environment.
Cease contact directives are designed primarily to prevent intentional contact and inform the individuals involved of the restrictions and responsibilities regarding their contact both on campus and off campus. They do not constitute a disciplinary action, do not represent a university policy violation, and are not indicative of a person’s status or participation in an investigation or related process. They are not punitive and are distinct from restrictions or removal of privileges as part of interim administrative actions or an outcome of a university disciplinary process.
Anyone concerned for their immediate safety should contact Elon University Campus Safety & Police at 336-278-5555 or dial 911. Students who wish to discuss the option of a university cease contact directive or who wish to file a request should contact one of the following departments:
- Office of the Dean of Students (general questions or directives that do not fall into the categories described below)
- Office of Student Conduct (when the request is associated with an alleged Code of Conduct violation)
- Office of Human Resources (when the request is associated with an alleged violation of the applicable employment manual or handbook), or
- Compliance and Title IX (when the request is associated with alleged violations of the Sexual Harassment Policy).
Additional information about cease contact directives and the process to request one may be found on the following departmental websites: