Disciplinary action in a college

[debjame]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? This pertains to a college in North Carolina.

My granddaughter is a student at a college in North Carolina. A couple of days ago, someone set off the fire alarm to "sneak someone out" of the dormitory. The school is now levying a fine of $500 to all residents of the dorm unless they reveal the name of the person who set off the fire alarm.

Is this legal?

 

[Antigone*]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? This pertains to a college in North Carolina.

My granddaughter is a student at a college in North Carolina. A couple of days ago, someone set off the fire alarm to "sneak someone out" of the dormitory. The school is now levying a fine of $500 to all residents of the dorm unless they reveal the name of the person who set off the fire alarm.

Is this legal?

Sure. This is purely administrative. Does your granddaughter know who the "culprit" is?

 

[Humusluvr]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? This pertains to a college in North Carolina.

My granddaughter is a student at a college in North Carolina. A couple of days ago, someone set off the fire alarm to "sneak someone out" of the dormitory. The school is now levying a fine of $500 to all residents of the dorm unless they reveal the name of the person who set off the fire alarm.

Is this legal?

While a lot of students think this might be funny or innocent, the fire department HAS to send a truck to the school, with all the firefighters, in case it happens to be a real fire. Since there was no fire, the fire department would fine the school. The school is passing it on to the students. If they turn in the real culprit, then that person will receive all the fine. Until the person is turned in, the fine is shared between everyone.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

While a lot of students think this might be funny or innocent, the fire department HAS to send a truck to the school, with all the firefighters, in case it happens to be a real fire. Since there was no fire, the fire department would fine the school. The school is passing it on to the students. If they turn in the real culprit, then that person will receive all the fine. Until the person is turned in, the fine is shared between everyone.

I think fining each student $500 for not knowing who pulled the alarm is unreasonable, however for a private institution, it's perfectly legal. (A public school would invoke due process issues)

The school has no way to legally enforce the fine unless their contract (policy) permits it. But... The school is able to prevent the students from returning if the fine remains unpaid, and can withhold grades/transcripts.

So if granddaughter says "I didn't see who did it, but I heard it was Dean Wormer", is she off the hook for the fine?

 

[xylene]

The school is blowing smoke.

Also, the quoted statement below is problematic

The school has no way to legally enforce the fine unless their contract (policy) permits it. But... The school is able to prevent the students from returning if the fine remains unpaid, and can withhold grades/transcripts.

The school has no basis for withholding transcripts unless it is provided for in the contract, and education law is very specific about that public or private school.

Courts are not going to uphold an institution of higher learning's arbitrary collective punishment.

This is just talk, and the university knows it. If not, why not fine for a years tution or a million dollars... or a jillion dollars.

Because this is an interrogation technique.