Student Organization Violations

Washington and Lee University oversees all student organizations: Greek, non-Greek, athletic teams, and law student organizations. A professional staff member through the Office of the Dean of Students shall advise all undergraduate student organizations regarding use of alcohol for club-sponsored events. The Office of the Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs advises all law student organizations regarding use of alcohol for club-sponsored events.

Faculty advisers of student clubs and organizations, in conjunction with the Office of the Dean of Students, shall enforce for student clubs and organizations a three-incident system as outlined herein for organizations that violate University alcohol/drug policies.

The Department of Athletics, in conjunction with the Office of the Dean of Students, shall enforce for athletic teams a three-incident system as outlined herein for teams that violate University alcohol/drug policies.

The Office of the Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs shall enforce for law student clubs and organizations a three-incident system as outlined herein for organizations that violate University alcohol/drug policies.

The Interfraternity Council shall enforce for fraternities, and Panhellenic Council shall enforce for sororities, and Multicultural Greek Council shall enforce for black Greek letter organizations, a three-incident system as outlined herein for Greek organizations that violate University alcohol/drug policies. The Interfraternity/Panhellenic/Multicultural Greek Councils are advised by a professional staff member through the Office of the Dean of Students and all action is reported to the University faculty through the Student Affairs Committee.

Incident System for Student Organizations

This is an Incident:

  • Coercive or pressured drinking related to group activities
  • Violations of IFC/Panhellenic rules for serving alcohol
  • Violations of dry recruitment policies
  • Excess damage to house property where alcohol/other drugs are involved
  • Coordinating or using fraternity/sorority funds to purchase alcohol - includes group funds and/or slush funds

Possible Sanctions:
Note - all incidents will be reviewed by the appropriate conduct board, each of which outline a number of other possible sanctions (accounting for severity and frequency of violations).
MINOR FIRST TIME VIOLATIONS MAY RESULT IN A WARNING.
First Incident:

  • Up to $50 fine per member
  • Appropriate Community Service
  • 2 weeks social probation
  • Mandatory education for the group; costs paid by group
  • Notification of Advisors/Coaches, Dean of Students, Parents, House Corporation, and National Organization

Second Incident: Within 12 months of 1st incident

  • Up to $100 fine per member
  • Appropriate Community Service
  • 12 weeks social probation
  • Mandatory education for the group; costs paid by group
  • Suspension of group activity (this includes all student groups, athletic teams, and law student groups)
  • Notification of Advisors/Coaches, Dean of Students, Parents, House Corporation, and National Organization

Third Incident: Within 12 months of 1st incident

  • Sanction up to and including dismissal
  • Mandatory education for the group; costs paid by group

Under the circumstances previously described, the Associate Dean of Students will inform parents or legal guardian(s) of undergraduate students when an undergraduate student violates University alcohol/drug policies.

Nothing in these regulations shall preclude the President, Provost, or appropriate conduct body from taking action they determine to be justified for both individual and group accountability in accordance with existing University policy.

All sanctions that may result in a disciplinary file, as defined by the Records of Student Conduct Referrals section, are subject to appeal to the University Board of Appeals.
For information related to conduct procedures for non-Greek organizations, please visit Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Board (HSMB).