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Restorative Justice Intervention Plan & Appeal Information

University Statuses and Housing Statuses are temporary, time-limited restorative justice intervention items. While students do not need to complete a physical task to complete; these statuses may impact campus opportunities during the time they are in effect. Depending on the status, students may experience restrictions such as limited ability to select their preferred housing assignment, participate in student organization, join SGA or Greek Life, study aboard and more. Once the status period ends, these restrictions are lifted and full access to opportunities is restored.  Below are examples of statuses, which does not represent an exhaustive list.

  1. Interim Separation - Interim Separation is a time period where a student is separated from the campus when university officials believe such separation is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the university community or preservation of university property; to ensure the student's own physical or emotional safety and well-being; when a student(s) has engaged in a physical altercation; because the student poses a reasonably definite threat of interference with the normal operations of the university; or when a student possesses a gun on campus in violation of North Carolina General Statutes § 14269.2.

  2. Expulsion - Expulsion is a permanent separation from WSSU and the UNC system institutions, unless, at a later date, the Chancellor concludes on the basis of the former student’s petition that he or she should be given a new opportunity to pursue higher education at a consituent UNC institution.  No petition for reinstatement made earlier than two (2) years from the date of the expulsion shall be considered.

  3. Suspension - Separation from the University for a definite period of time which coincides with the official ending of an academic semester or summer session. During the timeframe of suspension, student is not allowed onto the premise of WSSU nor any associated premises of the university. Student is only allowed onto grounds, if granted prior permission from the Associate Provost/Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs.

  4. Deferred Suspension - Is used for offenses found serious enough to warrant suspension, but where the specific circumstances of the case mitigate the offense or for repeated offenses of a less serious nature. Deferred Suspension is a designated period of time during which a student is given the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to abide by the community's expectations of behavior articulated in the Code. During a Deferred Suspension, the student will be officially suspended from the University, but the suspension will be deferred, meaning that the student may continue to attend classes at this time, however, the suspension will be automatically enforced for failure to complete any assigned sanctions by the deadline and/or for any subsequent new infractions while on the open Deferred Suspension sanction, unless the Director of Community Standards & Civility determines otherwise in exceptional circumstances. Students on Deferred Suspension may be limited in their abilities to represent the University on any athletic team other than an intramural sport, hold an office in any registered student organization, represent the University in any extracurricular activity or official function, or participate in any study abroad program. Deferred Suspension may also include the denial of specific University privileges, including but not limited to, attendance at athletic functions and residence hall visitation for a designated period of time.

  5. Disciplinary Probation - The loss, for a period of time, of designated social privileges. Designated social privileges include but are not limited to the following: varsity sports, intramural sports, band(s) and choir(s), cheerleading squad(s), fraternities and sororities, participation in student organizations, serving in a leadership capacity in any student organization, the right to represent the University in any specific activity, and/or residency in University Housing.

  6. Disciplinary Warning - Disciplinary Warning means that an official reprimand is provided in writing that advises a student's need to conform his or her behavior to the Students' Code of Conduct and further advises that any subsequent violation of the same nature by the student within a one (1) year period will automatically result in disciplinary probation.

  7. Permanent Housing Revocation - Permanent Housing Revocation means a student will not be allowed to live in any University-owned residence halls on the grounds of and affiliated grounds of Winston-Salem State University. If a student returns to the Institution due to being dismissed for conduct matters, they will not be allowed to apply for housing for the duration of their academic tenure.

  8. Temporary Housing Revocation - Means that the student(s) will not be allowed to live in any University-owned residence halls on the grounds of and affiliated grounds of Winston-Salem State University for a documented period of time. If the student(s) is found to be violating the stipulation to the sanction, he or she’s Temporary Housing Revocation will automatically be increased to Permanent Housing Revocation.

  9. Deferred Housing Revocation - Means that the student's housing contract will be officially revoked, but the revocation will be deferred. Deferred Housing Revocation means that the student's housing contract will be officially revoked, but the revocation will be deferred, meaning that the student may continue to live in the selected residential hall, however, the revocation from the residential hall will be automatically enforced for failure to complete any assigned sanctions by the deadline and/or for any subsequent violations while on the open sanction, unless the Director of Community Standards & Civility, Assistant Dean Students, Dean of Students, and/or Associate Provost/Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs determines otherwise in exceptional circumstances. Further violation of these policies can and will result in the permanent revocation of your housing privileges and the permanent cancellation of your housing contract indefinitely; at which time the student will be removed from housing immediately, responsibly for all remaining charges/fines, and responsible for securing housing off-campus.

  10. Housing Probation - The student will be given an official notice hereby placing them on Housing Probation. The student will need to modify his or her behavior to the Guide for Living On Campus and the terms set forth in the Housing and Residence Life Housing Contract. Further violation of any policies can and will result in the revocation of the student’s housing privileges and the cancellation of his or her housing contract. At which time he or she will be removed from housing and responsible for securing housing off campus.

  11. Disciplinary Warning - An official reprimand is provided in writing that advises a student's need to conform his or her behavior to the Students' Code of Conduct and further advises that any subsequent violation of the same nature by the student within a one (1) year period will automatically result in disciplinary probation.

Restorative Justice Intervention Plan Action items are assigned outcomes from the administrative hearing that students must actively complete. These items are designed to encourage learning, accountability, restore the student back into the RAMily and repair harm within the community. Each student will have specific items outlined in their Administrative Hearing letter along with assigned deadlines. Failure to complete assigned the restorative justice intervention plan may result in additional items being added onto the plan and.or holds being placed on the students' account until the requirements are met: 

Below are examples of restorative justice practices, which does not represent an exhaustive list.

  1. Bullying/Cyberbullying Reflective Essay - You have been sanctioned with this assignment due to an infraction associated with bullying, cyberbullying or disorderly conduct in the fashion of creating a hostile environment for another individual (bullying). 
  2. Dear Future Self Reflective Essay - The "Dear Future Self" sanction aims to encourage self-reflection, personal accountability, and growth by prompting students to write a letter to their future selves. This sanction enables students to analyze their past actions and consider the impact on their future decisions.

  3. No Contact Order- A mutual "no contact" order is needed when instances of, including but not limited to, bullying, stalking, unwanted behavior takes place, etc. A No Contact Order means that all forms of communication needs to be severed until an amicable resolution between parties takes place.

  4. Restitution - Reimbursement of any cost incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the student's violation of the Living on Campus Guide.

  5. Parental Notification - Students are required to compose a letter to their parents or legal guardians informing them of their recent disciplinary sanctions. This notification will be sent to your parents/legal guardian in the incident that the student repeats this offense and/or a new offense is committed.

  6. Pros and Cons List - The sanction encourages students to examine their actions and the subsequent charges they may face. By creating a list of at least 10 items (combined pros and cons), students can critically analyze their behavior and the potential outcomes of their choices.

  7. Relax, Relate, Release (Anger Management Workshop) - You are required to complete an anger management/positive decision-making educational sanction developed by the University Counseling Center. You are required to complete three (3) sessions.  
  8. Substances Reflection Essay (underage/first offense) - The purpose of this reflection paper is for you to analyze your use of substances (marijuana, alcohol, etc.), explore their impact on various aspects of your life, and consider alternative strategies for addressing your needs. 
  9. TedTalk & Addiction Reflection Essay (Repeat Offenders) - The purpose of this sanction is for you to analyze your use of marijuana, explore its impact on various aspects of your life, and consider alternative strategies for addressing your needs.
  10. University Apology Letter - The purpose of this sanction is for you to write a letter of apology to the University for the inappropriate/illegal behavior you displayed while being a student at WSSU. 
  11. Vision Board - Create a vision board that reflects your purpose, aspirations, and commitment to upholding the Ram Standards throughout your educational journey. This creative exercise aims to help you focus on your goals, values, and personal growth. 
  12. Community/Civility Service - Civility/Community Service means that you will provide volunteer services to an on-campus department, division, faculty, or staff member for a specific number of hours within a specific period of time.
  13. AlcoholEDU - The purpose of this sanction to complete an educational program sanction developed by the Office of Community Standards & Civility. You are required to complete the AlcoholEDU (first-time offenders) electronic program.
  14. eCheckUp-Marijuana Screening - The purpose of this sanction is to complete an educational program sanction developed by the Wellness Center. You are required to complete the eCheckUp-Marijuana Screening electronic program. You will need to complete all aspects of the program for it to be considered complete.
  15. eChug-Alcohol Screening - The purpose of this sanction is to complete an educational program sanction developed by the Wellness Center. You are required to complete the eChug-Alcohol Screening. You will need to complete all aspects of the program for it to be considered complete.  

The decision of a judicial body may be appealed upon the following grounds:

  1. Violation of Due Process - Due Process requires notice and an opportunity to be heard. A violation of due process means that the appealing party was not provided the required notice or an opportunity to be heard due to specified procedural errors, or errors in interpretation of university policies or regulations, that were so substantial as to effectively deny the Respondent a fair hearing. Reasonable deviations from the procedures set out in this Regulation will not invalidate a decision or proceeding unless the Respondent can show that, but for the deviation or error, there likely would have been a different outcome in the case.

  2. Material Deviation from Substantive and Procedural Standards - Substantive Standards.
    1) A material deviation from substantive standards refers to any new information or material that was not available or known at the time of the original hearing, and if introduced, could potentially change the outcome of the case. This does not mean the information presented at the initial hearing can be re-argued on appeal; or

    2) Substantive Standards. The sanction is too severe for the violation for which the student is found responsible; or

    3) Procedural Standards. A material deviation from procedural standards occurs when the requirements of UNC Policy 700.4 § V.A or V.B. are not followed.

The student's notice of appeal must state at least one of the above grounds or it shall be dismissed without further action. The notice of appeal shall state the facts that support the request and the outcome desired.

A complete description of the Appeals process is located in the Students' Code of Conduct.