Sexual Misconduct Sanctioning Guidelines

When a Conduct Review Board leads to a finding of responsibility for violating the Ithaca College Student Conduct Code, the following guidelines are used in determining sanctions. The purpose of administering sanctions is to hold students accountable for their actions, ensure the safety and well-being of the Ithaca community, and to facilitate learning. Outcomes can vary and are determined on a case by case basis.

It is important to note that this sanction grid only applies once a finding of responsibility has occurred. Additionally, upon a finding of responsibility, both parties will be given the opportunity to provide an impact statement which may ultimately impact the sanction. Accordingly, the examples of mitigating circumstances provided are not intended to downplay or undermine the fact that the Respondent, in every case where this applies, has still violated the applicable policy(s).

Different instances of a violation of the same student conduct policy rarely look exactly the same, and thus require detailed analysis and consideration when sanctioning. This analysis must include contemplation of certain case specific circumstances that either make a violation more or less severe than other instances of the same violation. Additionally, prior violation(s) of the Code of Student Conduct will always be considered as circumstance(s) that could potentially increase sanction(s) for a current policy violation. The number of prior cases and the severity of those past violations should be carefully considered, and prior violations for the same offense (e.g., student currently being sanctioned for non-consensual sexual touching has a prior violation for the same offense) should be viewed as particularly exacerbating.

Violation and Corresponding Sanction

All forms of sexual misconduct, including but not limited to, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, domestic/dating violence, and stalking are expressly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action.
  • First Offense - Suspension; Expulsion
  • Second Offense - Expulsion
  • First Offense - Suspension; Expulsion
  • Second Offense - Expulsion
  • First Offense - Probation; Deferred Suspension; Suspension
  • Second Offense - Deferred Suspension; Suspension; Expulsion
  • First Offense - Deferred Suspension; Suspension; Expulsion
  • Second Offense - Suspension; Expulsion
  • First Offense - Probation; Deferred Suspension; Suspension
  • Second Offense - Deferred Suspension; Suspension; Expulsion
  • First Offense - Probation; Deferred Suspension; Suspension
  • Second Offense - Deferred Suspension; Suspension; Expulsion
  • First Offense - Warning; Probation; Deferred Suspension; Suspension
  • Second Offense - Probation; Deferred Suspension; Suspension; Expulsion

*In addition to the sanctions listed above, the Board may choose to assign educational sanctions, restrictions regarding specific locations/people, removal from housing, etc.

**For additional information regarding specific sanctions, including transcript notations and conduct records, please review the Student Conduct Code section 7.1.2.8 Sanctions and 7.1.2.9 Judicial History, Crimes of Violence, and Parental Notification

Records of suspension or expulsion from Ithaca College are permanently maintained by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Circumstances to consider:
• A student’s past disciplinary record and history of past behavior, especially when that behavior is similar in nature
• A student’s level of intent, remorse, cooperation, and willingness to take responsibility
• The potential for ongoing risk to the student, other individuals, or the community
• The extent of harm caused and/or the impact on the individual and the community
• Evidence of aggressive and/or violent behavior; or evidence that there was use of weapons
• Duration and pervasiveness of the behavior
• Severity of the misconduct

Sanction Information

Sanction information can be found in the Student Conduct Code Section 7.1.2.8 Sanctions: