Part of our mission is to promote community, scholarship, and civility. One way we do this is by assigning sanctions to students who violate the Student Code of Conduct, Honor Code, or other University policies. The purpose of our sanctions are to 1) further a student's development and enable them to become a positive contributor to the community; 2) discourage a student's inappropriate behavior from reoccurring in the future; and 3) to ensure a healthy and safe campus community.
The purpose of this page is to provide students with a brief overview of our educational sanctions. It also provides direct access to selected sanctions if a student no longer has access to their Outcome Letter.
Educational Sanctions
*This is not an exhaustive list of every sanction a student can be assigned, but reflects the most common sanctions used in our office. A Conduct Officer can assign other educational sanctions if appropriate for the student.
Personal Reflection Paper- The student will complete a paper reflecting on an agreed upon topic, such as their decision‐making process, understanding of a policy, or purpose of a policy. Once you have completed the assigned sanction, submit your document to your Conduct Officer for review.
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Values Clarification Worksheet- Students will complete a worksheet that will help them identify their personal values, clarify how their values are used in their decision‐making, analyze how their values will influence future decision‐making, and create an action plan for future situations. Once you have completed the assigned sanction, submit your document to your Conduct Officer for review.
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Letter to Future Self- Students will write a letter addressed to their future self using the website www.futureme.org. The letter should aim to remind their future self about values, feelings, lessons learned, hopes for the future, and/or wanted change. The letter should be a minimum of 750 words. Once you have completed the assigned sanction, submit your document to your Conduct Officer for review.
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Fictitious ID Paper/Poster- Students will write a paper (1,000 word count) or create a poster to explain the legal consequences of having a fake ID in Texas and the impact of these consequences on their future goals. Once you have completed the assigned sanction, submit your document to your Conduct Officer for review.
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Goals Worksheet- Students will complete a worksheet that helps them identify personal and academic goals for their time at SMU. The worksheet also has questions which will help students reflect on how their violation could hinder their success with those goals and articulate their plans to avoid future violations. Once you have completed the assigned sanction, submit your document to your Conduct Officer for review.
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Decision Making Workshop- The decision-making workshop is offered through the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards. The workshop is designed to help students clarify values and learn decision‐making strategies. Students sanctioned will also have to complete a post workshop reflection. Once you have completed the post workshop reflection, submit your document to your Conduct Officer for review.
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Consequences Worksheet- Students will complete a worksheet that will help them analyze the potential consequences of being suspended from SMU. The worksheet also provides students with an opportunity to set goals and develop strategies for the future. Once you have completed the assigned sanction, submit your document to your Conduct Officer for review.
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Marijuana 101- Students will use this online educational program to explore drug use and consequences. There is a cost associated with this sanction, which the student is responsible for paying. Once you have completed the assigned sanction, submit your Certificate of Completion to your Conduct Officer.
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Referral to Substance Abuse Counselor- Students will complete a personalized assessment online and bring the results of that assessment to an appointment with a counselor at the Health Center. During this appointment, students will work with their counselor to identify elements of risk in their decision-making regarding alcohol and/or drugs, develop strategic alternatives to consuming alcohol and/or drugs in social situations, recognize high risk behaviors regarding substance abuse.
Understanding Pathway Project Examples
Fake ID Research Project - Students will write a paper (1,000 word count) or create a poster to explain the legal consequences of having a fake ID in Texas and the impact of these consequences on their future goals.
Buzzfeed Quiz/List - Student will create a Buzzfeed list or quiz that will provide advice/information to help other students make better decisions while attending college.
College Alcohol Online Fact Finder - Students will be provided website links to educate them on the use of alcohol amongst college students and minors.
Perspective Pathway Project Examples
Decision-Making Workshop - The workshop is designed to help students clarify values and learn decision‐making strategies. Students sanctioned will also have to complete a post workshop reflection.
Letter to Future Self - Students will write a letter addressed to their future self using the website www.futureme.org. The letter should aim to remind their future self about values, feelings, lessons learned, hopes for the future, and/or wanted change.
TED Talk Video - Students will select the TED Talk video they want to view. After watching the video, students will reflect on the speakers main points, what resonated most with them, and how they can apply the information learned to their life.
Restorative Pathway Project Examples
Apology Letter - Students will write an apology letter to the appropriate party. Using the “Six Essential Elements of an Effective Apology” article provided to them.
Potential Employer/School Conduct Questionnaire - Students will complete this questionnaire to better prepare them to answer questions about their conduct history to future employers and graduate schools.
Future Employer/Human Resources Interview - Students will contact aspirational companies in which they hope to work for upon graduation at SMU. The student interview someone in Human Resources department or someone at the company who makes hiring decision. The students will ask what types of experiences they look for on students resumes. Students will also ask how employers interpret conduct records of new college graduates.
Well-Being Pathway Project Examples
Student Organization Involvement Plan - Students will explore the various student organizations and clubs SMU has to offer. Students will identify at least three that are interest to them.
Referral to Substance Abuse Counselor - Students will complete a personalized assessment online and bring the results of that assessment to an appointment with a counselor at the Health Center. During this appointment, students will work with their counselor to identify elements of risk in their decision-¬making regarding alcohol and/or drugs, develop strategic alternatives to consuming alcohol and/or drugs in social situations, recognize high risk behaviors regarding substance abuse.
Well-Being Self Care Plan - Students will develop their own Well-Being Self Care plan for the next month. The student will need to have their plan approved by their Conduct Officer and will meet with them at least twice after it is approved.
TED Talk Videos
In your Outcome Letter, your Conduct Officer assigned a specific TED Talk video for you to watch. Please choose the correct video below and answer the questions provided to you from your Conduct Officer. Once you have completed the assigned sanction, please submit your document to your Conduct Officer for review.
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Building Integrity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8kQ2beNztw
Staying committed to your goals. What happens when you break your promise to yourself? Do you make bad decisions?
Presenter – Eric Rainey
Duration – 10:21
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Self Control.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPQhj6ktYSo
Self-control and how it impacts our impulsive behavior. The difference between long term and short term goals.
Presenter: Dan Ariely
Duration: 17:48
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Slayinator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JroHZZXIz00&t=39s
Change is possible only if you change your mindset.
Presenter: Matin Eshaghi
Duration: 6.01
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The key to transforming yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLt_yDvdeLQ&t=183s
Being fixated on the old way of doing things when we want to really change. To transform yourself you should avoid running away from your issues and stay committed to making the change.
Presenter: Robert Greene
Duration: 18.29
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Is there a real you?
https://youtu.be/Q80MfH7xPPE
Discover the real you. You can shape, channel and change yourself in that process of discovery. (slightly philosophical)
Presenter: Julian Baggini
Duration: 11.59
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What’s your 200-year plan?
https://youtu.be/Qzmt2wQMhYo
Using your creativity to plan your life.
Presenter: Raghava KK
Duration: 10.42
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Why we make bad decisions?
https://youtu.be/c-4flnuxNV4
We make bad decisions because we make errors in estimating the odds of being successful. We only think short term. We often forget to think about the long term consequences.
Presenter: Dan Gilbert
Duration: 33.21
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The fringe benefits of failure.
https://youtu.be/wHGqp8lz36c
Convocation address by J.K. Rowling at Harvard in 2008. She speaks about how she used her failure as an opportunity to succeed.
Presenter: J.K. Rowling
Duration: 20.58
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The battle between your present self and future self.
https://youtu.be/t1Z_oufuQg4
Resisting temptation is hard. People often use commitment devices to stick to their goals. But these commitment devices are not fool proof. Making better decisions by imagining what it’s like to be in the future.
Presenter: Daniel Goldstein
Duration: 15.59
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Are we in control of our own decisions?
https://youtu.be/9X68dm92HVI
Decision making can be difficult and complex and sometimes we are pretty irrational when we make decisions. Speaker uses behavioral economics to discuss decision-making. Bottom-line – understand your limitations when you make decisions.
Presenter: Daniel Ariely
Duration: 17.03
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