The College must protect the community from a risk of harm or from actions that detract from the integrity of the educational environment.  The College has the right to issue an Interim Suspension to a club or organization when:

The club or organization engages, or threatens to engage in behavior(s) which pose a danger of causing harm to others; or

The club or organization exhibits behavior(s) that renders them unable to effectively function; or

The club or organization exhibits behavior(s) that significantly interferes with the educational pursuits and/or living environment of others.

When a club or organization engages in or threatens to engage in the above-mentioned behaviors, the most effective emergency response is to protect the health and safety of the students and the community by way of requiring the club or organization to cease and desist from all operations and activities by issuing an Interim Suspension.  While an Interim Suspension is in place, the College will gather information and investigate the allegation(s) to make an assessment of the risks posed by the reported behavior(s) and whether those risks need to be mitigated to protect the health, safety, and learning environment of others.  The Interim Suspension notice will be in writing and delivered to the President of the club or organization.  In the absence of a President, the next in-line leadership will be regarded as the spokesperson. An Interim Suspension will become effective immediately without prior notice in such cases.  The Associate Director of the Center for Student Involvement (or designee) is authorized to impose Interim Suspensions on clubs or organizations and the Athletic Director (or designee) is authorized to impose Interim Suspensions on club sports.  

While serving an Interim Suspension, the club or organization is required to cease and desist from functioning pending further evaluation of the circumstances that lead to the suspension.  The Interim Suspension notice provides the club or organization with specific information regarding what they can and cannot do while serving an Interim Suspension.  Non-compliance with Interim Suspension restrictions may subject the club or organization to disciplinary action as stated in the Code of Conduct.

Following the receipt of an Interim Suspension, the President or designee of the Interim Suspended   club or organization may request an Interim Suspension hearing with the Dean of Students (or designee).  The College will make a reasonable effort to promptly schedule the hearing and in most cases the hearing will take place within 5 business days from when the President of the club or organization (or designee) requests a hearing.  The Dean of Students (or designee) reserves the right to have another professional staff member present at the hearing for consultation purposes.  The club or organization may be accompanied by their club or organization advisor, or advisor of their choice, who may provide counsel but may not speak on the club or organization’s behalf or appear in lieu of the club or organization.

The purpose of the Interim Suspension hearing is to determine the following:

The reliability of the information concerning the club or organization’s conduct, including the matter of their identity, and;

Whether or not the club or organization’s conduct and surrounding circumstances reasonably indicate any or all of the following;

The club or organization engages, or threatens to engage in behavior(s) which pose a danger of causing harm to others; or

The club or organization exhibits behavior(s) that renders them unable to effectively function; or

The club or organization exhibits behavior(s) that significantly interferes with the educational pursuits and/or living environment of others.

Following the Interim Suspension hearing, the Dean of Students (or designee) will notify the President of the club or organization (or designee), within three (3) business days, whether the Interim Suspension has been lifted, or will continue pending the outcome of a disciplinary proceeding.  The President of the club or organization will receive written notice of the charges against the club or organization through the Office of Student Conduct.  An Interim Suspension may last until a resolution to the alleged behavior(s) is reached through either the completion of the investigative process or the adjudication of a hearing.

If it is alleged that a Sexual Misconduct Policy violation or a violation of the College bias policy has occurred, the case will first proceed under the supervision of the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Compliance.

In the case where fees or dues are collected by the National or Regional club or organization toward a student(s), there will be no refund of fees or dues by Ramapo College of NJ.