University Disciplinary Council reaches findings in Feb. 21 assault case

After a hearing on March 22, the University Disciplinary Council found that three male students had violated the University’s disciplinary code during a Feb. 21 incident in a residence hall. Dean of the College Nancy Dunbar has reviewed the UDC’s findings and has affirmed the recommended penalties, which range from sanction to expulsion.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. —The Office of Student Life has issued the following notification regarding disciplinary action taken by the University Disciplinary Council:

In a hearing conducted Wednesday, March 22, the University Disciplinary Council (UDC) considered a complaint arising from a February 21st incident in a residence hall. According to the complaint, it was alleged that three male students kicked, pushed, restrained or were verbally abusive to a female complainant during an argument over holding open a residence hall door.

After a formal hearing of nearly seven hours and approximately five hours of deliberation, the UDC found that each of the three respondents had violated portions of the University’s disciplinary code and recommended penalties ranging from sanction to expulsion.

Dean of the College Nancy Dunbar, acting on behalf of the Dean of Student Life, received the UDC’s report on Thursday, March 23. During the three-day review period permitted by Brown’s disciplinary procedures, Dunbar affirmed the recommended penalties, and the individuals involved in the matter were informed.

All three students are currently on requested leave from the University. Any request for an appeal must be made in writing and submitted to the Provost within seven days, setting out reasons for the appeal.

A description of the UDC’s findings and recommended penalties is attached.

Findings of the University Disciplinary Council

Student A

Student A was found to have committed the following offenses against the University’s disciplinary code:

Offense II. Behavior which:
a. causes or can be reasonably expected to cause physical harm to a person;
b. or shows flagrant disrespect for the well-being of others;
c. or is unreasonably disruptive of the University community and its neighborhoods;
d. or causes or can be reasonably expected to cause damage to property.

Offense V. Drugs and/or alcohol:
a. Illegal possession or use of drugs and/or alcohol and/or drug paraphernalia;
c. Drug and/or alcohol related behavior.

Student A was charged with but found not to have committed the following offense against the University’s disciplinary code:

Offense IV. Harassment: the subjection of another person or group to abusive, threatening, or intimidating actions, including those based on race, religion, gender, handicap, ethnicity, national origin, or sexual orientation.

The UDC recommended a penalty of expulsion from the University, with a permanent transcript entry, parental notification, and an order of trespass until January 1, 2001. The dean of the College affirmed that penalty.

Student B

Student B was found to have committed the following offenses against the University’s disciplinary code:

Offense II. Behavior which:
b. shows flagrant disrespect for the well-being of others;
c. or is unreasonably disruptive of the University community and its neighborhoods.

Offense V. Drugs and/or alcohol:
a. Illegal possession or use of drugs and/or alcohol and/or drug paraphernalia;
c. Drug and/or alcohol related behavior.

Offense X. Misrepresentation:
a. Lying or material misrepresentation of information to an official University committee, council, or Officer of the University, including Police and Security personnel.

Student B was charged with but found not to have committed the following offenses against the University’s disciplinary code:

Offense II. Behavior which:
a. causes or can be reasonably expected to cause physical harm to a person.

Offense IV. Harassment: the subjection of another person or group to abusive, threatening, or intimidating actions, including those based on race, religion, gender, handicap, ethnicity, national origin, or sexual orientation.

The UDC recommended a penalty of suspension from the University until January 1, 2001, with a file entry (deleted upon graduation) and parental notification. The dean of the College affirmed that penalty.

Student C

Student C was found to have committed the following offenses against the University’s disciplinary code:

Offense II. Behavior which:
a. causes or can be reasonably expected to cause physical harm to a person.

Offense X. Misrepresentation:
a. Lying or material misrepresentation of information to an official University committee, council, or Officer of the University, including Police and Security personnel.

Student C was charged with but found not to have committed the following offenses against the University’s disciplinary code:

Offense II. Behavior which:
b. shows flagrant disrespect for the well-being of others;
c. or is unreasonably disruptive of the University community and its neighborhoods;
d. or causes or can be reasonably expected to cause damage to property.

Offense IV. Harassment: the subjection of another person or group to abusive, threatening, or intimidating actions, including those based on race, religion, gender, handicap, ethnicity, national origin, or sexual orientation.

Offense V. Drugs and/or alcohol:
c. Drug and/or alcohol related behavior.

The UDC recommended a penalty of University sanction for the remainder of Student C’s time at Brown, with a file entry (deleted upon graduation) and parental notification. The dean of the College affirmed that penalty.