When a student organization engages in some act of misconduct, the College may take action not only against the student(s) involved, but also against the organization itself.  The College reserves the right to seek disciplinary action against registered student organizations, organizations operating in a manner that a reasonable person would assume they were a registered student organization, and even intercollegiate athletic teams.  A student organization may be disciplined for a member’s behavior when: 

  • He/she is acting as a member of the organization, with or without official sanction from the organization, rather than as an individual student
  • An event is held officially or unofficially, in the name of the organization
  • One or more of its officers or authorized representatives acting in the scope of their organizational capacities commit a violation
  • One or more of its members commit a violation after the action that constitutes the violation was approved by majority vote of those members of the registered student organization present and voting
  • One or more members of a committee of the registered student organization commit a violation while acting in the scope of the committee’s assignment
  • A member of the registered student organization acting with apparent authority of the registered student organization commits a violation
  • One or more members of the registered student organization or its officers permit, encourage, aid, or assist any of its members in committing a violation
  • One or more members of the registered student organization or its officers, under circumstances where such persons knew or should have known that an action constituting a violation was occurring or about to occur, fails to prevent that action
  • One or more members of a registered student organization fail to report to appropriate College or civil authorities promptly their knowledge or any reasonable information about a violation
  • The association between or the action of the individual(s) is under such circumstances that draws attention to the organization rather than to the individuals. 

The liability for the behavior of its members and guests shall extend to responsibility for making certain that members do not violate federal, state, and local laws, as well as College regulations and policies in their associations with the organization. Note: A group of individuals functioning together does not have to be registered with the College to be considered an “organization” under this section.

Determinations of responsibility under this section will follow the adjudication processes set forth in the LaGrange College Social Code.  Sanctions that can be administered under this section include: loss of recognition by the College, suspension of recognition by the College, restrictions of privileges by the College, communication with national organizations, sanction of an education nature that may include service or reflection assignments, and any other sanction deemed appropriate by the College.