Student Conduct Disciplinary Decisions/Sanctions and Leave of Absence Policies

Student Conduct

Students are expected to conduct and dress themselves in a professional manner at all times. Foul language, possession of un-prescribed drugs, alcoholic beverages and being disrespectful are all considered to be unsatisfactory conduct that may be grounds for dismissal. A student who conducts her/himself in a manner that’s detrimental to the school, staff or other students will be terminated. Theft of property from the school or other students is grounds for immediate dismissal along with prosecution.

Disciplinary Decisions/Sanctions

• When a student has been found responsible for violating the School’s policy or has entered a response of no contest, a sanction will be imposed by Merryfield Academy. Any sanction(s) set in the procedures of this Handbook may be imposed by the School.
• Educational Sanctions- is a required occasion for the student to develop a knowledge base designed to help him/her make more informed choices in the future.
• Disciplinary Warning: lasting for a period of 1-2 payment periods
• Strict Disciplinary Probation: lasting for 1-2 payment periods
• Final Disciplinary Probation: lasting until a student graduates or otherwise separates from Merryfield Academy
• Suspension: A complete separation from the school.
• Expulsion: perpetual discharge from the school with no future re-admission
• Restitution: the monetary repayment of the cost of an item that was taken or damaged by the student found from another individual.
• Administrative Charge: paid to Merryfield Academy in order to offset any costs accrued by the School in the investigation and adjudication of a student conduct case.
• Fine: paid to the School and serving as a deterrent to similar future violations

Unless the Director of the School determines otherwise, all sanctions of Suspension of Expulsion may be effective as of the date of the advancing occurrence, even where the student has attended classes and /or taken examination during the Student Conduct Proceedings.

Appeals

Once a decision has been reached on the sanctions related to a case, that case can be appealed by the accuser, defendant, or by the School. Only one appeal per case can be submitted and will be considered.

Grounds for an Appeal. Appeal will be considered for two reasons:

a). Procedural error in the investigation or hearing of a case;

b). The sanction receive is not appropriate for the nature of the violation.

Leave of Absence Policy

A leave of absence (LOA) is a temporary interruption in a student’s program of study. A leave of absence must meet certain conditions, for it not to be considered a withdrawal which requires Return Calculation.

A. Merryfield has a published LOA policy, which states that all requests for leave of absence must be submitted in writing, including reason for request to the Director of Education or a designated administrative staff for approval.

B. An approved leave of absence cannot exceed 180 days within a 12-month period and no additional institutional charges will be accessed.

C. If the student requesting LOA is a Title IV loan recipient, it must be made clear prior to Merryfield granting LOA. The effects of failure to return from leave will have on the student’s loan repayment terms, which impact the expiration of the student’s grace period.

D. A student that has been granted leave of absence is not considered to have withdrawn, and upon return within the approved timing, continues to earn financial aid previously awarded for the period.

E. Once the student returned from his or her LOA, the loan period will be extended and the graduation date will be updated.