Community Standards and Student Conduct Process
Introduction
Wheaton College is dedicated to fostering a living and learning environment that promotes discussion and collaboration between and among men and women – an environment that empowers and enriches every student. The students of Wheaton College developed an Honor Code that has created an ethos of mutually shared respect and offers individual freedom to explore interests and learn in an open and collaborative environment. The Community Standards have been formulated to reinforce the ideals and principles encompassed in the Wheaton College Honor Code.
Expectations
As Wheaton’s Honor Code mandates, all members of the Wheaton community are expected to behave in ways which demonstrate care and respect for the personal dignity, rights and freedoms of all members of the community, and to demonstrate care and respect for college property and the property of others. As members of the Wheaton community, we all share responsibility for safeguarding the rights, and freedoms of other members and for maintaining community standards. Specifically, these shared expectations and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- to observe the Honor Code and the Wheaton Community Standards and to comply with appropriate requests to adhere to them
- to accept responsibility for and monitor the behavior of guests and visitors
- to address violations of the Honor Code and Community Standards
Wheaton College assumes that students are adults and responsible for their own conduct. The fact that the college takes proactive steps to address violations, actions, or activities that may pose a risk to the well-being of the community does not absolve students from taking responsibility for their own behavior.
Student Conduct Process
The Student Conduct Process has four types of student conduct proceedings to resolve violations of the Honor Code and/or Community Standards.
- Conduct Review Meeting
- College Hearing Board Review Meeting
- Educational Conference
- Adjudication by Letter
The Student Conduct Process aims to adjudicate cases of misconduct impartially, timely, and treat all individuals involved in the process with respect and objectivity. The Office of the Dean of Students maintains the discretion to determine which proceeding is most appropriate based on a case-by-case basis.
Please refer to this page for the most recent complete version of the Community Standards and Student Conduct Process.
FAQs
What happens after I’m documented?
Typically, students meet with their Residential Life Coordinator for a Conduct Review Meeting. In that meeting, students will have an opportunity to provide any relevant information pertinent to the alleged policy violation(s) for the purpose of determining responsibility.
It is important to note, being documented by a Resident Advisor, Residential Life Coordinator, or Campus Safety does not implicate an automatic violation of policy.
What are potential outcomes if found responsible for violating the Honor Code or Community Standards?
The College takes an educational approach when resolving violations and issuing sanctions and vary depending on violations as well as aggravating or mitigating factors. Sanctions include, but are not limited to, educational responses, participation in an education programs, formal warnings, fines, parental notification, housing probation, conduct probation, removal from Residential Life (housing), restrictions (weekends, places on campus, College sponsored programs etc.) suspension, and dismissal.
Where do I pay my fine?
If a student is issued a fine as a sanction, they may pay the fine by check or cash in the Office of the Dean of Students located in Park Hall. Any fine not paid before the end of the semester will be referred to the Office of Student Financial Services and added to the student account.
What is the Alcohol Policy?
Learn more about the Wheaton College Alcohol policy.
Where can I find Residential Life Policies?
Residential Life Polices are kept and updated on their policies webpage.