PSU's Welcome Back Sanctions

What are the sanctions for students found “responsible” for being “present inside the closed Millar Library” during an “illegal occupation”?

On May 2nd after occupying the Millar Library, renamed the Refaat Alareer Library, dozens of Portland Police working with President Ann Cudd, physically assaulted and arrested protestors.

Below is a portion of a “Notice of Conduct Review Outcome” for one such student. The notice has been edited for anonymity and only includes the sanctions portion of the notice.

Sanctions:

As a result of this finding, the following sanction(s) are issued:

1.  Suspension
Complete by: Sunday, August 31, 2025
You have lost the right to be enrolled at the University. You are not eligible for any of the privileges or services provided to currently enrolled students including residing in University-owned or recognized student housing, registering for classes, attending class, participating in any University recognized function, or using other University services or facilities. This suspension is to continue and shall not end prior to the due date listed. During this time a notation will remain on your transcript indicating your suspension. Your behavior in the meantime must reflect compliance with our expectations of PSU students and will be discussed upon the timeline outlined for the suspension. No sooner than the date listed, you must schedule and meet with the Director of Conduct & Community Standards in order to regain your enrollment status. Before scheduling this meeting please provide a written statement outlining the following to [email protected]:

What you have done during the period of suspension?
What lessons you have learned from the incident and successive separation?
What steps you have taken to ensure you will not find yourself in a similar situation in the future? Why you should be granted reinstatement to the university?

2. Paper, Review, Poster, Reflection
Complete by: Monday, September 30, 2024
Research and review at least three academic or news articles pertaining to peaceful protest, campus protests, and "time, place, and manner" concerns related to first amendment rights.

Reflect on how your choices have, or may not have, followed the key principles of the above listed topics. Discuss how the incident as a whole impacted the PSU Community and reflect on other options that were available for expression of free speech and sharing your concerns. List at least three other methods you could have chosen and discuss how those may have been used and the difference in impact they may have had.

This review must be no less than 3 page in length (for a total of no less than 3 pages), double-spaced, and in 12 point Times New Roman font with no larger than 1” margins. The review must contain university-level writing, spelling, grammar, and, where appropriate, citations for outside sources used.

3. Community Service
Complete by: Friday, September 13, 2024
You are to complete 20 hours of community service with a local relevant refugee support organization(s) of your choice. During this process or as a result of the incident reported, you expressed concern for your community and those impacted by conflict-affected areas. Through this assigned sanction, the hope is you will find productive ways to support impacted communities and people based on the areas in which you expressed interest.

You must submit to the Dean of Student Life Office, documentation (such as a letter from the agency on their letterhead or an email from the supervisor) of how many hours you completed with contact info for both the agency & the supervisor to [email protected] by the due date.

4. Restitution
Amount: $5000
Restitution is a required reimbursement by dollar amount, by transfer of property, or by the provision of services to the University or a member of the University community in accordance with the nature of the violation and in an amount not to exceed the actual expenses, damages, or losses incurred.

Specifically, the cost of the damage to the library during this incident totaled at least $750,000. Restitution in this case has been calculated by dividing the cost of the damages by the number of individuals reported to have been involved in the occupation of the library.

Conduct Fee:

As outlined in Section IX of the Code, you will be assessed a conduct fee as a result of being found responsible for a policy violation, the amount of which is determined in review of any prior conduct history. This fee will be charged to your student account in the billing month following this letter. Visit your myPSU account to review and pay fees.

Conduct fee: $10

Failure to fulfill the requirements of your sanctions may result in a hold being placed on your account. The hold will remain in place until all sanctions have been completed.

Students experiencing financial concerns may apply for a Conduct Fee Waiver based on financial need. To apply, fill out the appeal form linked below. This form must be submitted prior to the 1st day of the month following the date of the outcome letter.

Appeals:
As outlined in section XII of the Student Conduct Code, you may submit a written appeal of this decision within ten (10) business days of the date of this letter. Appeals must meet the standards set forth in the Code and include the grounds for appeal, supporting arguments, and relevant evidence. Appeals submitted beyond the appeal period or failing to state grounds for appeal will not be considered by the Appeals Body.

To file an appeal or request a fee waiver, use the following link: https://pdx-advocate.symplicity.com/u/oGLotejv

Support Services and Resources:

I encourage you to reach out to any of the below resources for support or to contact my office for additional information and resources.

Student Health and Counseling (SHAC):
Mental and Emotional Health Support and Resources (503) 725-2800 or [email protected]
Online booking | 24/7 Student Support

PSU CARES:
Student Support and Wayfinding (503) 725-4422 or [email protected]
Online Referral Form

Additional Support Resources for Students

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected].

Sincerely,

Claire Araujo
Director of Conduct and Community Standards