The Philosophy behind Pathway Plans and Pathway Projects
If a student is found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, they will be able to create a pathway plan to help them learned from their policy violation. They may also receive or choose to complete one or more pathway projects. Students not completing or adhering to assigned or selected pathway projects may be subject to additional Student Code of Conduct violations, pathway projects, and suspension.
The Office of Student Conduct at the University of Montevallo (UM) has changed the perception of our office using the Pathway Plan sanctioning model. Many students felt our office was only a repercussive office. We changed that narrative and demonstrated that we are a resource to and for all students. We accomplished this by working with students when they accept responsibility for violating a policy. Too often students viewed sanctions as pre-determined punishments for violating policy. In light of this, students who accepted responsibility were provided a menu of pathway projects (educational sanctions) to choose from which allowed them to participate in developing their own learning experience. The pathway projects have been grouped into specific categories called pathways.
All pathway projects will fall under one of six pathways. The pathway projects listed in the Accountability Pathway are assigned by the Conduct Educator and are not optional.
Student Status
The purpose of a student status is to provide students with a more precise representation of where they stand with their conduct and the University. The status to which a student is assigned will be based on the context and severity of the policy violation(s).
Informal Warning- a status indicating the lowest level violation of the Student Code of Conduct has occurred, but will not be reported as part of the student’s conduct record. If found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct again, a student can expect an elevated conduct status.
Formal Warning- a status indicating a minor violation of the Student Code of Conduct has occurred, but will not be reported as part of the student’s conduct record. Future violations can result in an elevated conduct status.
Conduct Probation- a status indicating a serious violation or two or more incidents have occurred and resulted in violations of the Student Code of Conduct; the student or student organization is informed that further violations may result in suspension. This status may prevent a student from participating in other student leadership opportunities that require a student to be in good standing with the University. Conduct probation may delay, but not deny participation in other student leadership opportunities.
Deferred Suspension- a status indicating a severe violation or multiple incidents have occurred and resulted in violations of the Student Code of Conduct; the student or student organization has committed a suspendable offense, however, the Conduct Educator or University Conduct Council does not feel the student or student organization should be separated from the University. The student or student organization is informed that further violations can result in suspension. The student can convene classes as normal due to the suspension being deferred and not active. This status may prevent a student from participating in other student leadership opportunities that require a student to be in good standing with the University. Deferred suspension may delay, but not deny participation in other student leadership opportunities.
Suspension- a student is removed from the University for a specified period. The status of suspension is not placed anywhere on the student’s transcript. When a student is suspended and required to leave the University community due to discipline, he/she/they may not re-enter without an interview with the Director of Student Conduct or the appropriate designee. Upon their recommendation, a student may rejoin the campus community at full student status.
Expulsion- permanent termination of student status at the University
Pathway Plan Descriptions
Accountability Pathway-This pathway will provide a journey of accountability to the student who has accepted responsibility for a policy violation or to the student whom it has been determined has violated the Student Code of Conduct. The Conduct Educator selects these pathway projects.
Understanding Pathway-This pathway will provide the student with insight to influence good judgment in their future decisions. It will also help students understand why certain policies and rules are in place.
Perspective Pathway-This pathway will allow the student the opportunity to reflect on their decision-making to gain personal insight. This pathway will also allow students to see and understand other perspectives.
Restorative Pathway– This pathway will provide the student with an opportunity to renew or repair any harm their actions may have caused to individuals, the UM community, or the Montevallo community.
Well-Being Pathway– This pathway will allow the student to focus on their well-being. This pathway encourages students to explore the necessary resources to have a positive experience, be happy & healthy, and productive members of the UM Community.
Accountability Pathway Projects
This is not an exhaustive list and the Conduct Educator can assign other pathway projects under the Accountability Pathway.
Fines- payment made to University due to policy violations; these can range from $25, $50, $100, or $150
Housing Points- points given for violations that occur in or near the Residence Halls (refer to the Residence Hall Handbook).
Loss of Privileges- prohibition from use of specific university buildings and services, or participation in specific groups or events
Parent/Guardian Notification- parents and guardians are made aware of the incident their student was involved in via USPS mail
Removal from Residence Halls- a loss of the privilege of living in the Residence Halls for violations that occur in or near the Residence Halls
Restitution- reimbursement for damages or loss incurred
Social Probation- prohibition from participating in any officially recognized extracurricular activity and/or holding office in any University registered organization
Other Pathway Projects
Please see the list of pathway projects available for students may include in the development of their pathway plans. This is not an exhaustive list, but displays some of the most popular selections of students.
Autobiography Essay- You will write an Autobiography essay about your life at UM. This essay will focus on what your life was like prior to attending UM, what your life has become during your time at UM and how you found yourself in this current situation. Finally, you will write what you have learned from this experience and how you will make a positive contribution to the UM community.
College Alcohol Statistics Online Fact Finder– You will use links provided to you to educate yourself on the use of alcohol amongst college students and minors by completing an alcohol statistics worksheet. After completing the worksheet, you will select one fact and write a brief reflection on the importance of this fact. This exercise will help you understand trends related to alcohol consumption by college students.
Consequences Worksheet- You will complete a worksheet that will help you analyze the potential consequences of being suspended from UM. The worksheet also provides you with an opportunity to set goals and develop strategies for the future.
Letter to Future Self- You will write a letter addressed to your future self-using the website www.futureme.org. The letter should aim to remind your future self about values, feelings, lessons learned, hopes for the future, and/or wanted change.
Potential Employer/School Conduct Questionnaire- You will answer the attached questionnaire in order to better prepare you to answer questions about your conduct history to future employers and graduate schools.
Ted Talk Video– You will watch the assigned Ted Talk and write a short essay on what you learned from the video. You will answer three questions that will demonstrate your level of understanding of what you learned from the video and also how you can apply concepts from the video to your life.