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Interim Action

Policy Statement 

The College reserves the right to implement Interim Actions when it determines that an individual student, student organization, or group may present an immediate risk to themselves, others, or the College community. Such actions are temporary and designed to preserve safety, maintain the integrity of the educational environment, and allow time for a full review of the circumstances through the student conduct process. 

Interim Actions are not a finding of responsibility and do not replace the formal investigation or adjudication process. Students or organizations subject to Interim Actions will be notified in writing of the decision, the reasons for the action, and the procedures for requesting review or modification. 

Scope of Policy 

This policy applies to all enrolled students, registered student organizations, and other individuals or groups subject to the College’s Standards of Conduct processes. Conduct Interim Actions may be implemented when a student or organization’s continued presence on campus, participation in College programs, or access to certain privileges is determined to pose an immediate risk to the safety, health, or welfare of the College community, its property, or the normal operations of the institution. 

Purpose 

The purpose of Interim Actions is to allow the College to take immediate, temporary steps to protect the community, maintain order, and ensure the integrity of the conduct process while an alleged violation of policy is under review. These measures are not disciplinary sanctions. Rather, they are precautionary actions designed to reduce potential harm until the completion of a formal investigation or conduct a resolution process. 

Definitions 

  • Interim Actions: Temporary measures imposed by the College prior to the resolution of a conduct matter. These may include, but are not limited to, restriction from campus (i.e. temporarily prohibited from attending classes, participating in College activities, and/or being present on College property until the conduct process is resolved or the action is lifted), removal from campus housing, restriction from certain facilities or activities, and no-contact directives from the College.
  • Immediate Risk: A situation in which the College has reason to believe that a student’s or organization’s behavior may pose a significant threat to the safety, security, or well-being of individuals, property, or the College’s educational mission.
  • Non-Punitive: Interim Actions are not a determination of responsibility and are not considered disciplinary sanctions. They are precautionary measures pending the outcome of the conduct process. 

The Division of Student Life designee may consult with other College personnel as necessary in deciding whether to impose an interim action. 

For individual students: 

  1. An interim action means that the student is not allowed on Rhodes College property, cannot attend classes, or participate in any clubs/organizations or college-sponsored activities both on and off College property until an interim action appeal is reviewed (see below) or the Rhodes College conduct/resolution process is completed and the student is notified that some or all of the interim action has been lifted. Any exceptions to the campus ban will be explicitly communicated by the Division of Student Life designee issuing the interim action.  Students placed on interim action may be impacted academically and financially based on the following conditions including, but are not limited to:
    • The student is prohibited from attending classes, taking exams, or submitting coursework during the interim action period.
    • Access to academic resources such as the library, laboratories, and online learning platforms may be restricted.
    • The student may receive grades of "Incomplete" or "Fail" for any coursework missed during the interim action period, subject to faculty discretion and institutional policies.
    • If reinstated, the student may be allowed to make up missed work at the discretion of faculty and academic leadership.
    • Tuition and fees for the current semester are non-refundable.
    • The student's financial aid package, including grants, scholarships, and loans, may be affected if their enrollment status changes.
    • Residential students will be required to vacate within 24 hours of the interim action notice and will still be responsible for housing and meal plan costs.
    • The student will be required to surrender their student ID, fob, room key (if applicable), and parking permit (if applicable) to Rhodes Campus Safety.
    • Student employment (work-study or other on-campus jobs) may be suspended or terminated.
    • Any outstanding financial obligations remain due, and failure to settle these may result in account holds preventing future registration or transcript requests.
  2. Notification of an interim action will be sent to the student’s College e-mail account. The notification will include information regarding: 1) the alleged behavior, 2) the rationale for the interim action, 3) the date and time the interim action goes into effect, 4) the terms of the interim action, and 5) the appeal process.  Students who are placed on interim action will have the opportunity to appeal the interim action decision.
  3. Notification of the student’s interim action status will be limited to campus departments that have a legitimate need to know to enforce the interim action and ensure safety.
  4. Students requesting an appeal of an interim action decision may do so by completing an Interim Action Appeal Form. The Vice President for Student Life, or their designee, will be the staff member reviewing and rendering a decision on the appeal. This appeal is an opportunity for the student to articulate why the student’s presence does not present safety and security concerns. The appeal must be submitted by the student within 48 hours from the date of the interim action notification. The student’s appeal of the interim action decision must include the rationale for the request and any documentation or information that supports lifting the interim action. The interim action decision, and any relevant information, will be reviewed and the decision will either be upheld, modified, or overturned.
  5. The student will be notified of the appeal decision as soon as administratively possible. The notification will be sent to the student’s College e-mail account. The interim action  remains in effect while any review is pending. There will be no further appeals to the decision rendered upon review. If the interim action is lifted, other interim restrictions may be assigned until the resolution of any related conduct.
  6. The interim action does not replace the regular resolution process and appeal process, which shall proceed in accordance with applicable procedures.
  7. The College has the discretion to impose, lift, reassess, and modify an interim action as circumstances may warrant at any point in any case, including without limitation as new information becomes available. 

For Registered Student Organizations (RSO) & Affinity Groups (AG): 

  1. An interim action means that the Registered Student Organization/Affinity Group must refrain from, including but not limited to: publicizing or holding events, recruiting, meeting with, or initiating new members, holding meetings with its membership until an interim action appeal is reviewed (see below) or the Rhodes College conduct/resolution process is completed and the RSO/AG is notified that some or all of the interim action has been lifted. Any exceptions to the interim action will be explicitly communicated by the Division of Student Life designee issuing the interim. RSO/AGs placed on interim action may be impacted by the following conditions including, but not limited to:
    • Meeting Spaces – Loss of reservation privileges for on-campus meeting rooms or event venues.
    • Access to Lodges – If the organization has a dedicated lodge space on campus, they may not be permitted to enter the space.
    • Fundraising Privileges – Prohibited from conducting fundraisers or soliciting donations on behalf of the organization.
    • Use of College Name and Logo – May be restricted from representing itself as an official college-affiliated organization.
    • Social Media & Marketing – Required to pause or take down official social media accounts or promotional materials that imply active college recognition.
    • Recruitment & Membership Engagement – Prohibited from recruiting new members or holding meetings.
    • Participation in Campus Events – Banned from participating in college-sponsored activities, including fairs, performances, and competitions.
    • Athletic & Club Competitions – If the organization is sports-related, they may be barred from competing under the college’s name.
  2. Notification of an interim action will be sent to the College e-mail account of the President of the RSO/primary student point of contact for the AG. The notification will include information regarding the alleged behavior and the rationale for the interim action. RSO/AGs who are placed on interim action will have the opportunity to appeal the interim action decision.
  3. RSO/AGs requesting an appeal of an interim action decision may do so by completing an Interim Action Appeal Form. The Vice President for Student Life, or their designee, will be the staff member reviewing and rendering a decision on the appeal. This appeal is an opportunity for the RSO/AG to articulate why their presence does not present safety and security concerns. The appeal must be submitted by the RSO/AG within 48 hours from the date of the interim action notification. The RSO/AG’s appeal of the interim action decision must include the rationale for the request and any documentation or information that supports lifting the interim action. The interim action decision, and any relevant information, will be reviewed and the decision will either be upheld, modified, or overturned.
  4. The RSO/AG will be notified of the appeal decision as soon as administratively possible. The notification will be sent to the College e-mail account of the President of the RSO/primary student point of contact for the AG. The interim action will remain in effect while any review is pending. There will be no further appeals to the decision rendered upon review. If the interim action is lifted, other interim restrictions may be assigned until the resolution of any related conduct.
  5. The interim action does not replace the regular resolution process and appeal process, which shall proceed in accordance with applicable procedures.
  6. The College has the discretion to impose, lift, reassess, and modify an interim action as circumstances may warrant at any point in any case, including without limitation as new information becomes available.