Dear Vanderbilt community,
I write to share an update about the student accountability process for the students who forcibly entered Kirkland Hall as part of a protest on Tuesday, March 26.
Vanderbilt’s goal in establishing student conduct policies and holding students accountable for them is to preserve an environment where everyone is assured safety, well-being and an opportunity to flourish.
After a thorough review of the incident, including examination of evidence and interviews with students, the Student Accountability, Community Standards and Academic Integrity staff issued a range of findings and sanctions that took the individual circumstances of each student’s conduct into account. The sanctions included disciplinary probation as well as suspension and expulsion. Students have 10 days to appeal their case to the university’s Appellate Review Board, a body consisting of faculty and students. Detailed information about our accountability process can be found in the university’s Student Handbook.
During the appeal process, students will be able to return to classes, and Student Affairs will continue to work with each student to provide support resources for mental health, academic progress and welfare.
The gravity of this situation and these outcomes weighs heavily on those of us charged with carrying out our responsibility as leaders; we fully understand that student choices and decisions can lead to serious and costly consequences.
I thank everyone for their efforts to pull together and support our educative mission even in the midst of these difficult circumstances.
I am confident that we will move forward together, committed to our shared collaborative culture and mission in support of one another and in service to society.
Sincerely,
C. Cybele Raver
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
