In addition to the University's policies, the Office of Community Standards provides the following Notices and Statements about processes and procedures. These are also published annually in the EQB: The Guide for Living in Community. Questions about these can be directed to the Office of Community Standards at communitystandards@sewanee.edu.
Each student is granted an official Sewanee email account (operated through Google mail). The University will send official electronic communications only to this email address. It is the student’s responsibility to check his or her Sewanee email account regularly. All students will be added to University-approved distribution lists. Students may opt out of some lists but not others; those with an “opt out” option have directions included within the email.
Sewanee students are emerging adults responsible for managing, with our support and guidance, their academic and personal affairs. Even as we expect students to take initiative and responsibility for solving their problems, we believe that helping them gain the information and strategies they need to seek remedies for their concerns produces a better outcome for all students.
The Dean of Students serves as the primary coordinator of response and support to students with concerns. If a student has an issue with a University policy or practice, we expect them to review the appropriate policies and handbooks and to pursue their concerns directly with the appropriate office or program. For example, there are already processes in place for appealing final course grades, Honor Council and student conduct outcomes, financial aid decisions, and parking tickets.
For students who have complaints or grievances outside of these published remedies, please file the formal complaint or grievance via online form describing the issue or treatment, related actions, and remedy sought. Complaints will be investigated and/or referred to other offices as necessary.
A written response regarding the issue will be sent to the student who initiated the complaint within 30 days.
Information about grievances that are not resolved internally and may involve state consumerism, state licensing boards, or accreditation can be reviewed at the Provost's website.
All documentation related to a conduct incident will be placed in the student’s conduct file. A student’s conduct file(s) and record(s) will be maintained by the Dean of Students’ Office, and is separate from their academic transcript. All conduct files and records will be retained for seven years from the incident date. Suspensions and expulsions will be retained indefinitely.
Upon a request for conduct check by the student or on behalf of the student, with a signed release of information disclosure, the University will respond to questions about a student’s conduct history and disciplinary status. The University only reports on conduct matters to outside agencies incidents where outcomes of Removal from Student Housing, Suspension, or Expulsion were assigned. Students who have questions about what types of information will be disclosed for their individual record should contact the Dean of Students’ office at dstudent@sewanee.edu.
Students may request their complete conduct file, or any part, by completing an online request on the Dean of Students’ webpage. The amount of information requested will determine the time needed to process the request, not less than two business days.
Students are issued an official Sewanee identification card upon matriculation. Students are expected to carry their cards at all times on campus and to present it as necessary (e.g., at McClurg, for entry into University sponsored concerts, etc.). Students must also present their ID when requested by a University employee.
Lost or damaged cards can be replaced by submitting a request to id-request.sewanee.edu. Cards can be picked up at the Circulation Desk in duPont Library.
Altering a Sewanee ID or allowing others to use one's Sewanee ID is prohibited and may be an Honor Code offense.
Each student is granted an official Sewanee email account (operated through Google mail). The University will send official electronic communications only to this email address. It is the student’s responsibility to check his or her Sewanee email account regularly. All students will be added to University-approved distribution lists. Students may opt out of some lists but not others; those with an “opt out” option have directions included within the email.
A search of a student, a student’s possessions, or a student’s on-campus residence may be authorized by the Dean of Students’ Office or by the Sewanee Police Department if there is reasonable cause to believe that prohibited or unlawful activity has occurred. Any items found that violate the Code of Conduct or any local, state, or federal laws will be removed and reported to the appropriate authorities. Additional details regarding residence hall room searches are noted in the Housing Contract.
