Colby College
4250 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901
P: 207-859-4250
dosoffice@colby.edu

Student Accountability

Suspensions and expulsions may be imposed for serious or repeated misconduct committed by Colby students on or off campus. There may be no refund of room, board, or tuition for students who are suspended, expelled, or who withdraw from the College pending or as a result of disciplinary action. The following list is not meant to be all-inclusive, as there are other types of misconduct that could draw suspension or expulsion:
  • academic dishonesty
  • acquaintance rape (see Sexual Assault Policies)
  • alcohol abuse
  • arson
  • assault
  • behavior or activities that endanger the safety of oneself or others. This includes, but is not limited to, self destructive behavior
  • behavior or activities that significantly disrupt the educational experience of other students.  This includes, but is not limited to, harassment, intimidation, bullying or threats to the safety of self or others through the use of social media or other means of electronic communication.
  • bias-motivated misconduct
  • computer violations
  • contributing to the intoxication of another
  • damage or misuse of College or private property
  • defacing College property (including library materials)
  • defamation of character
  • disorderly conduct
  • driving to endanger
  • drugs (using, possessing, cultivating, or supplying illegal drugs)
  • endangering the welfare of others
  • failure to comply with or attempts to evade any sanction imposed by a College official, the Conduct Board, or Appeals Board
  • failure to comply with the legitimate request of a College official
  • fighting
  • fraternity activity (including pledging, initiating, and hazing)
  • harassment or sexual harassment
  • hate and/or bias incidents
  • interference with entrance to or egress from the College or any College facility
  • interference with members of the College community in the performance of their duties
  • invasion of privacy
  • misuse of College funds
  • operating a motor vehicle under the influence either on or off campus
  • possession of weapons
  • public indecency
  • serving alcohol to minors
  • sexual assault
  • significant infraction committed while on disciplinary probation
  • tampering with fire safety equipment or starting fires
  • theft
  • threatening
  • throwing objects which can injure
  • unauthorized entry to College buildings, rooms, offices, or storage areas
  • unauthorized occupation of a College space
  • unauthorized possession or misuse of College keys or access cards
  • vandalism
  • verbal abuse
  • destruction, defacement, littering, or misuse of College property or the property of others
The dean of students, the Conduct Officer, or the Conduct Board will, depending upon the severity of the infraction and the past disciplinary record of the accused, impose one or more of the following penalties:
  • warning
  • notification of parents or guardians
  • disciplinary probation for one or more semesters or through graduation, which includes loss of privileges as a party host
  • removal of extracurricular activities and/or ability to enter specified College facilities
  • expulsion from housing, without refund
  • fines and/or community service
  • dean’s restraining order, with restrictions placed upon a student’s contact with another individual
  • suspension for one or more semesters or for an indeterminate period
  • expulsion with no recourse for re-admission
Multiple infractions will, of course, result in more serious sanctions.
Students are adults and are thus expected to obey the law and to take personal responsibility for their conduct. Colby does not police students’ personal lives on or off the campus, but disciplinary action will result if a student’s use of alcohol creates disorder, public disturbances, danger to himself or herself and others, or property damage. Similarly, hosts of parties or sponsoring organizations may be held accountable for violations by the College and by civil authorities under Maine law.

The College reserves the right to dismiss from the College, or reassign or remove from housing (without refund) any student whose presence its officials believe to be detrimental to the general welfare. Matters of misconduct, whether occurring on or off campus, are handled by the Office of the Dean of Students. Most serious cases are referred to the Conduct Board unless the student does not contest responsibility (see Student Disciplinary Procedures). Minor infractions, or those with automatic sanctions, are dealt with by the Conduct Officer and most often result in written warnings, housing probation, and/or fines. In cases where the facts related to the charge or charges are not seriously contested, the dean may impose sanctions via an Administrative Hearing.

Student leaders who have been involved in disciplinary difficulties will also be referred to the president of the Student Government Association.

Records of disciplinary action are kept in the Office of the Dean of Students for six years beyond graduation or last date of attendance and are only released in accordance with The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (see Appendix IV). In most cases the College does not wish to interfere in the affairs of its students; it simply wishes to enforce safety standards and protect the property and rights of others. Although the College does not have any agreement with the police concerning either the prosecution or protection of students, it does not condone violations of law. Student misconduct off campus is subject to discipline at Colby whether or not prosecution is pursued by outside authorities. Students who are arrested or charged with violations of civil or criminal laws should seek advice and assistance from the Office of the Dean of Students.

In regard to disciplinary matters, the College treats students as adults. Students are entitled to the privacy guaranteed by The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects the confidentiality of education records. Under a recent amendment to the act, which expands the circumstances in which education records may be disclosed, the College reserves the right to inform parents or legal guardians of students under the age of 21 of disciplinary violations related to the use or possession of alcohol or controlled substances. The College does not routinely notify parents or guardians of pending disciplinary actions, but may do so in exceptional cases where, for example, knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. Students are strongly encouraged by the Office of the Dean of Students, in serious matters, to consult with their parents or guardians in advance of disciplinary hearings.

A recommended partial list of minimum sanctions appears in Appendix VIII. Should suspension or expulsion be imposed as a sanction by the Conduct Board or should it be imposed by the dean of students, a copy of the letter so notifying the student will be sent to parents or guardians so that they may consult with their daughter or son.