Representatives of Advocates for Improved Response Methods to Sexual Assault met this week with deans of the College and SFS, as well as Vice President for Student Affairs Juan Gonzalez, to discuss the way in which Student Code of Conduct violations are recorded on students’ transcripts.
According to AFIRMS, the College and SFS deans support the group’s goal of making disciplinary sanctions clearly denoted on students’ transcripts.
Under the current policy, a student serving a disciplinary suspension is recorded as having withdrawn from classes. There is no mention of the suspension. In all other cases, such as academic probation, suspensions are clearly noted and grades remain on the record.
According to Amy Hsueh (CAS ‘03), a member of AFIRMS, Student Affairs staff members suggested during their second meeting with AFIRMS that the group seek support for the policy change from the deans of the different schools.
Associate Dean of the SFS Andrew Steigman said that SFS has never accepted transfer credits from suspended students.
“This is a standing policy,” Steigman said. “We believe that when the student is suspended, their entire education is suspended,” Steigman said.
Steigman said that the SFS deans are in favor of uniform transcript notation. “A suspension is a suspension,” he said.
The SFS deans also stated they intend to conduct an internal investigation to examine if credit had wrongfully been awarded in the past, Hsueh said.
Associate Dean of the College Anne Sullivan stated in an e-mail that the College dean’s office recommended that the University revise the statement in the Undergraduate Bulletin about the meaning of suspension and its impact on transfer credit.
Currently, the statement reads, “Students who are suspended for academic deficiency may not transfer credits to Georgetown earned elsewhere during the suspension period.”
Hsueh said that the College deans recommended the statement be amended to include, “those who are suspended for any reasons, including academic deficiency, Honor Council Violation or disciplinary reasons.”
Additionally, Hsueh said that the College deans intend to raise the topic at the Council of Associate Deans, a meeting composed of deans from all four schools.
Joseph Calizo, the coordinator for Undergraduate Programs at the McDonough School of Business and member of the sexual assault working group, said that MSB does not accept credits earned during a suspension. AFIRMS’ issues have not been brought before the deans, although Calizo said he supports the group.
Gonzalez said he and his staff intend to analyze the issue of transcript notation and report back to AFIRMS in three weeks.
AFIRMS released a statement expressing gratitude to the deans for their fast response. “We are pleased with the progress with the University decision to review our suggestions. We hope that other University officials will show the same level of support,” the statement read.
