G. Student Disciplinary System

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G. Student Disciplinary System

We believe making mistakes is a normal part of growing up and the learning process, and we expect students to learn from their mistakes. We also believe students must learn the value of consequences for their actions. If students accept their consequences and learn from their mistakes, demonstrated by a change in behavior, they will earn a second chance to be successful at WMA. In order to create a safe, fair and consistent living and learning environment, however, there must be a limit to our flexibility and an accumulation of disciplinary infractions may lead to dismissal.

Certain severe first-time disciplinary infractions may lead to immediate dismissal. These are actions that the community, as forgiving as we try to be, cannot tolerate or feel we cannot recover from - even if it is a first-time offense. These infractions include, but are not limited to, sale or distribution of drugs or alcohol, egregious acts of violence or threats thereof, or thefts, because of the damaging effects on community trust.

There are several disciplinary tools at the disposal of adults in the WMA community:

Detention – A traditional formal study hall held in full formal dress code in Lak Dining Hall on Friday from 8 - 10 p.m. Alternative locations, such as a student’s room or alternative activities may be used. Detention may be assigned by faculty members for infractions of minor rules. Middle School students typically do not receive detention. They usually receive Silent Lunch in lieu of detention.

Work Detail – Work Detail is usually assigned by the Deans Office or the Athletic Office as a natural consequence for certain infractions or as a part of the consequence for missing a detention or an athletic commitment. Work Detail usually takes place on Sunday afternoons. Middle School students typically do not receive work detail. They usually receive Silent Lunch in lieu of work detail.

Conduct Warning – The first step on the formal conduct status ladder. It is the usual consequence for rule violations from the Other Rules section of this Handbook. Warning generally comes with three weeks restriction to or from campus, three detentions, three work details and additional natural consequences for the infraction as determined by the Deans Office. Students usually remain on this level for the remainder of the current marking period and the next marking period.

Conduct Probation – A step up from Warning, Probation is very serious. Conduct Probation is the usual consequence for rule violations from the Major School Rules section of this Handbook. Probation generally comes with five weeks restriction to or from campus, five detentions, five sessions of work detail and additional natural consequences for the infraction as determined by the Deans Office. Additional natural consequences may include suspension, required leave-of-absence, random drug testing,

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required counseling or a meeting with the student, parents, advisor, Dean of Students and the Head of School. Students usually remain on this level for the remainder of the current marking period and two additional marking periods. When a student earns Conduct Probation, their reenrollment may be reviewed at the end of the academic year to determine if they can return for the following academic year. Their overall standing as a student, their academic record and adherence to our school’s Core Values are included in this review.

The last step in the disciplinary system is the Rules & Discipline Hearing (R&D). The R&D is a panel consisting of three elected students and three elected faculty members, mediated by the chair. The chair is the Dean of Students, unless the student is one of the Dean’s advisees – in which case the Dean of Residential Life chairs the hearing. Parents/ guardians and lawyers do not sit in on R&D hearings. The purpose of an R&D is to hear the details of a student disciplinary incident and to provide advice and direction to the Head of School, who makes the final decision whenever dismissal of a student is a possibility. The hearing is confidential including statements by the student, advisor and notes taken by members on the panel. An R&D is a privilege, offered based on the nature of their offense and the certainty of the Head about whether dismissal is deserved. It is not always offered to a student.

Students who are on Conduct Status may not apply to, run for or hold leadership positions or Global Scholars. If a student leader or Global Scholar is placed on Conduct Status, they will forfeit their position for the duration of their status and, if necessary, reapply to the position.

WMA reserves the right to place students who repeatedly violate the same rule or violate multiple rules on Conduct Status for the remainder of their time at the Academy.

The Academy reserves the right to raise at any school meeting time any issue of discipline regarding a student for the purpose of furthering the educational and learning exposure of students and the school community overall. In a situation where federal, state and/or local laws may apply, the Academy may involve Wilbraham Police Department. Where illegal drugs are involved, the Academy must notify the police. Students are expected to cooperate in investigations. Students are expected to be honest, but honesty is not necessarily a mitigating factor, and students’ own statements may be used against them. Failure to cooperate with an investigation may be cause for disciplinary action.

Many colleges ask the student applicant and WMA about disciplinary action involving the student. We expect and urge our students to respond honestly when asked to disclose disciplinary incidents on their college applications. In addition, WMA may disclose the following reportable disciplinary actions: (i) an applicant’s probation, suspension, removal, dismissal or expulsion resulting from the violation of a Major School Rule and (ii) any adverse change in a leadership position resulting from disciplinary measures.