Student Organization Provisional Return Program

Student organizations removed from campus under either suspension or cancellation may be eligible to return to campus through the Student Organization Provisional Return Program. This program helps groups develop and implement a successful organizational culture that includes a commitment to non-hazing.

Student organizations seeking provisional return must submit the required application materials and agree to complete the nine dimensions of successful organizations as part of the provisional return program. The program includes:

• a full and accurate description of the organization's identity
•  a detailed plan for membership recruitment, selection, evaluation, and onboarding,
• prescribed advisor engagement,
• the implementation and maintenance of strong risk management and safety protocols for the group, and
• a framework with tested strategies to help organizations establish and maintain practices that support student success, align to the university's student behavioral expectations, and add value to the Longhorn community.

It is important to note that effective completion of the Provisional Return Program will not result in the organization's disciplinary record being expunged, nor will it remove the requirement of specific sanctions that are designed to remain permanent in nature.

Eligibility

An organization is eligible to apply to the Provisional Return Program if they meet the following criteria:

• The student organization has completed the term of suspension or cancellation as stated in the outcome document issued by the Office of the Dean of Students.
• The student organization has not applied to register as a student organization under a different name during the period of suspension or cancellation.
• Members of the organization at the time of the original conduct decision have not had any documented instances of misconduct during the suspension or cancellation that could be reasonably associated with the student organization.

An organization is eligible to apply to the Early Provisional Return Program if they meet the following criteria:

• The student organization has completed at least half the assigned term of suspension or cancellation.
• The suspended or cancelled organization has not applied to register as a student organization under a different name during the suspension or cancellation.
• Members of the organization at the time of the original conduct decision have not had any documented instances of misconduct during the suspension or cancellation that could be reasonably associated with the student organization.

Application Instructions

1. Review the Nine Dimensions of Successful Student Organizations (pdf) for information about the curriculum.
2. Draft a written statement responding to the application questions listed below.
3. Compile supporting documents as needed per the application questions.
4. Submit the written statement and supporting documents to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity by emailing them to studentconduct@austin.utexas.edu.

Provisional Return Program Application Questions

Please address each question in the written statement or in supporting documents for the application:

1. Has your organization met all requirements outlined in the original conduct outcome document?  If yes, please provide supporting documentation. If the answer is no, please provide an explanation.
2. What is your organization's reasoning for applying to return to campus?
3. If your group is approved for the program, how will your organization contribute or enhance the UT Austin campus community, as compared to the previous actions which led to the organization's removal from campus?
4. How has the incident that led to this suspension or cancellation impacted your organization, its members, and our campus community?
5. Describe your group's commitment to working through the nine dimensions of successful student organizations.
6. Has the organization, any former member(s), or alumni members continued operations, on or off campus, in any manner, during the period of suspension or cancellation in any form?
7. If provisional return is granted, will the organization include any member(s) that were previously affiliated with the organization? Please explain the rationale for your answer.
8. For organizations applying to the Early Provisional Return Program, please confirm that the organization has completed at least half of the assigned suspension or cancellation, and describe what modifications to the conduct sanctions are sought as part of the Early Provisional Return Program? Why should modifications be considered for this group?
9. Please identify the student or students who will serve as primary contacts to communicate with appointed university staff, including their names and UT EIDs.
10. Who is the advisor(s) identified to help with the provisional return? What is the advisor'(s') role with the organization?

Application Review and Next Steps

• The Executive Director of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, or a designee selected by the Vice President for Student Affairs, will consider the application for review and determine if the organization meets the eligibility requirements.
• If the organization meets the eligibility requirements, the Executive Director will convene a review committee and evaluate the submitted application materials within 20 business days of notification that an organization meets program eligibility requirements.
• The committee will hold a review meeting with the organization. The organization may have up to three representatives present for the meeting.
• The organization representatives may have no more than 30 minutes to present their rationale for provisional return and/or for modifications to existing sanction(s). After the presentation, the review committee may ask questions about the documents and rationale submitted prior to and during the review meeting.
• After the review meeting, the committee has up to 15 business days to issue a recommended outcome. The committee may recommend provisional return, early provisional return, to uphold the existing sanction(s) or make modifications to the current cancellation status. Modifications may include, but are not limited to, change in the organization's status, educational activities, and/or prohibited activities.
• An organization may make a request, in writing, for reconsideration of the recommended outcome to the Dean of Students. Requests for reconsideration must be made within three business days of the committee recommendation. The Dean of Student's determination is final and not appealable.
• An organization that is accepted for the Provisional or Early Provisional Return Program will commit to completing the full nine dimensions of successful student organizations as part of the program, and by the timeline established by the Office of the Dean of Students.
• The full Provisional Return Policy is available in Chapter 6 of the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities, to be found in subchapter 6-500. Any organization that participates in provisional return is subject to all parts of the policy.