Code of Student Life

ODOS - Empowering Student Success

The Code of Student Life outlines student rights and responsibilities and expected levels of conduct both at the university and in the greater Wilmington community.

Code of Student Life

The Code of Student Life will:

Help students, parents, faculty, staff, and student organizations understand student rights and responsibilities.
Serve as a guide for university conduct and related policies.
Outline the roles of various boards and committees

If you have questions about the Code of Student Life, contact the Office of the Dean of Students.

UNCW Mission Statement Learn more about UNCW's Mission, Vision & Values. UNCW Mission Statement

Community Standards Community Standards embodies the values of the UNCW student community. Community Standards

Seahawk Respect Compact Our ongoing efforts to increase access to & inclusion in a community that nurtures learning & growth for all. Seahawk Respect Compact

UNC Policies

SECTIONS

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

The University Policies website serves as a policy index and repository for official UNCW policies. In addition to the website, policies are also found in various handbooks, brochures and other university publications. To the extent of any conflict between the policies found on the website and the policies found in handbooks, brochures or other university publications, the policies as listed on the website shall be the controlling authority and shall supersede any other versions of same or similar subject matter. The site is not intended to serve as the repository for all internal policies, procedures and guidelines from the respective college and schools of the university. For access to college, school and department level internal policies, procedures and guidelines, please contact the appropriate unit for information. (Code Revised August 2025)

ADDITIONAL POLICIES

FEDERAL LAW

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as Amended*
Sex Discrimination Prohibited

SANCTION GUIDELINES

The following guidelines are based on incidents that involve a single violation of the UNCW Code of Student Life with no aggravating or mitigating factors. The recommendations will be adjusted based on the facts and circumstances of the case, any actual or possible harm created, and the student’s demonstrated reflection and contrition. Hearing Officers should follow these sanctioning guidelines unless compelling extraordinary factors are present.

Compelling Factors: Compelling factors affect the severity of the sanction(s) imposed through the proceedings outlined in the UNCW Code of Student Life. They may include, but are not limited to, the Respondent’s demonstrated understanding of their responsibility and level of accountability; the prior conduct record of the Respondent; and the following:

Aggravating Factors

Impact on greater community & other students
Imminent risk to person or property
Findings of responsibility for previous similar violation
Student was disrespectful/uncooperative toward staff/police
Premeditation
Lack of accountability/contrition

Mitigating Factors

Low-risk situation
e.g., low BAC, not actively using substances
Student already has taken proactive restorative action
Student has in-depth understanding of impact of behavior on others and community

Minor Violation

A violation where the available sanctions do not include suspension or expulsion.

Serious Violation

A violation where the available sanctions include suspension or expulsion, and any allegation of specific offense of sex-based harassment, as subject to the university's Title IX Grievance Policy, Student Gender-Based Sexual Misconduct Policy, or Unlawful Discrimination policy.

CODE OFFENSE	1^stVIOLATION	2^ndVIOLATION	3^rdVIOLATION
01. Damages, defaces, alters, destroys, or misuses property	Written Warning to Disciplinary Probation Restitution	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension Restitution Community Service	Suspension Restitution and/or community service prior to return
02. Takes, purchases, or possesses university property and/or services	Written warning to Suspension Ethics Seminar	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
03. Drugs (marijuana only) a. Possesses/uses an illicit drug or narcotic	Written Warning to Final Probation Challenging Decisions* or BASICS** $100 fee / $150 fee	Disciplinary Probation to Final Probation BASICS** $150 fee Off Campus Assessment (TBD)	Suspension Off campus substance assessment prior to return
03. Drugs a. Possesses/uses an illicit drug or narcotic	Disciplinary Probation to Expulsion	Suspension/Expulsion
03. Drugs b. Manufactures, sells, delivers, or possesses with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver, controlled substance	Possible Interim Suspension Suspension/Expulsion
03. Drugs (marijuana only) c. Possesses/uses paraphernalia	Written Warning Challenging Decisions* $100 fee	Disciplinary Probation BASICS** $150 fee	Suspension Off campus substance assessment prior to return
03. Drugs c. Possesses/uses paraphernalia	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
03. Drugs d. Drives while impaired	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
03. Drugs e. Is visibly overcome by drug(s)	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
03. Drugs f. Consumes, including huffing and/or sniffing, any substance not intended for such use	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
03. Firearms, weapons, explosives	Disciplinary Probation to Expulsion	Suspension/ Expulsion
05. Endangers the health or safety of self or others	Written Warning to Suspension	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
06. Fire/Fire Equipment a. Sets a fire in or on university property b. Tampers with fire equipment	If a result of careless action: Disciplinary Probation to Suspension If intentional or reckless: Suspension/Expulsion	Suspension/Expulsion
07. Engages in hazing	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension/Expulsion	Suspension/Expulsion
08. Inflicts or threatens bodily harm upon another or acts in a manner which creates a risk/threat of bodily harm to another	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension/Expulsion	Suspension/Expulsion
09. Intentionally furnishes false information	Written Warning to Disciplinary Probation	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
10. Fails to comply	Written Warning to Disciplinary Probation	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
11. Fails to provide accurate and complete information on the undergraduate or graduate application to the university	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
12. Forges, alters, destroys, or misuses university documents and records	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
13. Alcohol a. Underage possession/use – possesses or uses alcohol under the age of twenty-one (21)	Written Warning Challenging Decisions* $100 fee	Disciplinary Probation BASICS** $150 fee	Suspension Off-campus substance assessment prior to return
13. Alcohol b. Illegal possession/use – possesses or uses alcohol where it is not legally permissible to do so, regardless of age	Written Warning Challenging Decisions* $100 fee	Disciplinary Probation BASICS** $150 fee	Suspension Off-campus substance assessment prior to return
13. Alcohol c. Drives while impaired or driving after consuming alcohol under the age of twenty-one (21)	Disciplinary Probation BASICS** $150 fee	Suspension Off-campus substance assessment prior to return
13. Alcohol d. Provides alcohol to minors (any individual under the age of twenty-one)	Written Warning to Disciplinary Probation	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension
13. Alcohol e. Is visibly overcome by alcohol	Disciplinary Probation BASICS** $150 fee	Suspension
13. Alcohol f. Paraphernalia – possesses alcohol paraphernalia	Written Warning to Disciplinary Probation	Disciplinary Probation	Suspension
14. Encouraging or enabling	Administrative Letter of Community Standards to Written Warning	Written Warning	Disciplinary Probation
15. Disorderly conduct	Written Warning to Suspension	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
16. Harassment	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension/Expulsion	Suspension/Expulsion
17. Discriminates against another student	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
18. Lends, sells, manufactures, possesses, or otherwise transfers a student identification card or any other form of identification	Written Warning to Disciplinary Probation	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
19. Misuses university technology	Written Warning to Suspension	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
20. Gains or attempts to gain entry to any university property without proper authorization	Written Warning to Suspension	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
21. Gambles for money or other items of value	Written Warning	Disciplinary Probation	Suspension
22. Misuses university communication systems	Written Warning to Suspension	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension
23. Conducts themselves in a manner which may be in violation of any part of the Student Gender Based/Sexual Misconduct or Title IX Grievance Policy	Disciplinary Probation to Expulsion	Suspension or Expulsion
24. Violation of policies and procedures as stated in the UNCW Housing and Residence Life publication, Campus Living Handbook & Policies	Administrative Letter of Community Standards to Disciplinary Probation	Written Warning to Disciplinary Probation	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension
25. Demonstrates and/or assembles in violation of North Carolina General Statutes	Written Warning to Suspension/Expulsion	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension/Expulsion	Suspension/Expulsion
26. Conducts themselves in a manner which may be in violation of any North Carolina and/or Federal criminal law	Written Warning to Suspension/Expulsion	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension/Expulsion
27. Disrupts the student conduct process	Written Warning to Suspension	Disciplinary Probation to Suspension	Suspension

Contact Us

Office of the Dean of Students

Phone: 910.962.3119

deanofstudents@uncw.edu

601 S College Road
DePaolo Hall, Suite 1092
Wilmington, NC 28403-5941

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday : 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Get Directions

Code of Student Life

ODOS - Empowering Student Success