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APU Student Handbook
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Last Revision: October 29, 2024

Sanctions

Sanctions are penalties levied when students are found responsible for violating the APUS Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:

  • Accountability Package (AP) - Task(s) and/or assessments a student must complete that serve to remediate the student conduct violation in question. AP items may include professional development modules (e.g., academic integrity, effective communication, and emotional intelligence), reflection papers or other written assignments, and/or professional coaching.
  • Admission Denial - The denial or revocation of a student’s admission to APUS. See:  General Admission Policies
  • Alcohol and Drug Sanctions - As applicable and consistent with local, state, and federal law, violation of this policy may result in university disciplinary action for an APUS student, up to and including, expulsion, along with a referral to law enforcement. APUS may impose one or more disciplinary actions and sanctions, including required participation in a substance abuse rehabilitation or treatment program at the cost of the individual, as a condition to continued enrollment with APUS.

Violators of this policy may be subject to criminal prosecution under local, state, and federal law. Controlled substance and misuse of alcohol laws vary by state and locality and may apply based on where the violation occurred. Federal criminal penalties may include, but are not limited to, penalties under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.) and its implementing regulations, which can include fines, forfeitures, and imprisonment. Additional information is available from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Also see the Alcohol and Drug Policy in the Student Handbook. 

  • Disciplinary Probation - A student may be placed on disciplinary probation when the student has not complied with previous documented sanctions (i.e., failure to complete an accountability package requirement) or altered their behavior, or when their behavior is particularly egregious.  A student may attend classes while on disciplinary probation, however the student must work to complete any outstanding sanction requirements. Additionally, a student may be prohibited from participating in university-sponsored activities while under disciplinary probation.
  • Disciplinary Suspension - While on disciplinary suspension, students are prohibited from enrolling in or attending classes and other university-sponsored activities for a specified period determined by the Office of Student Conduct
  • Expulsion - The permanent removal of a student from the university. A student may be expelled for repeated documented offenses or for a one-time flagrant violation of university policy. 
  • Failure of Assignment and/or Course - Academic integrity violations may result in the student failing the assignment and/or failing the course.
  • Involuntary Course Withdrawal - The withdrawal of a student from their course(s) when their continued enrollment in the course is perceived to create an unfair academic advantage for themselves or disadvantage to other students or are perceived to be a possible danger to other students or to themselves. Additionally, students under investigation for academic or professional misconduct may also be involuntarily removed from the classroom and may have a hold placed on further enrollment until the investigation concludes.
  • Involuntary University Withdrawal - The removal of a student from the university if the student’s continued enrollment is perceived to create an unfair academic advantage for oneself or disadvantage to other students or are perceived to be a possible danger to other students or to themselves.
  • Legal Action - Only a duly authorized agent officially appointed by the President of APUS shall have the right, if deemed necessary, to initiate legal proceedings against a student for violation of public law in any University-sponsored site in which University property and/or vested interests are involved. See:  https://www.amu.apus.edu/student-handbook/university-policies-and-code-of-conduct/legal-action
  • Letter of Misconduct - A formal letter issued to the student, documenting the student’s APUS Student Code of Conduct violation. A copy of the letter will be placed in the student’s record and may be included in background investigation requests. A Letter of Misconduct on record will deem a student ineligible for inclusion on the Dean’s list, President’s list, or student honor societies. 
  • Plagiarism Notation - A formal notation of academic misconduct placed on the student’s record. Plagiarism notations may be included in background investigation requests and may deem a student ineligible for inclusion on the Dean’s list, President’s list, or student honor societies.