Suspend vs. Expelled — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 29, 2024
Suspension is a temporary exclusion from an institution as a disciplinary measure, while expulsion is a permanent removal for serious violations.
Difference Between Suspend and Expelled
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Suspension is a disciplinary action that temporarily removes a student or member from their regular activities within an institution, such as a school, as a consequence for violating rules or policies. This period out of the institution is intended to serve as a reflection time for the individual, with the expectation of return upon completion. In contrast, expulsion is a more severe form of discipline, resulting in the permanent removal of a student or member from the institution. This action is typically reserved for the most serious offenses and implies that the individual cannot return to the institution.
The process leading to suspension often involves a review of the individual's actions and a determination of a suitable time frame for the suspension, which could range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the misconduct. On the other hand, the decision to expel a student usually follows a thorough investigation and is often the last resort after other disciplinary measures have failed to correct the behavior, or if the actions pose a significant threat to the safety or integrity of the institution.
During a suspension, the individual may be given specific conditions for their return, such as attending counseling sessions or fulfilling certain academic requirements. Meanwhile, expulsion often requires the individual to seek education or membership in another institution, as there is no opportunity for reinstatement.
The impact of suspension is generally seen as a temporary setback, with the individual having the chance to make amends and reintegrate into the community. Conversely, expulsion has long-term implications, affecting the individual’s educational and professional opportunities, as well as their social standing within the community.
Both suspension and expulsion require formal processes that ensure fairness and are typically documented in the individual’s record. However, the documentation of an expulsion is more likely to have a lasting impact, potentially influencing the individual’s future admissions to other institutions or employment opportunities.
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Comparison Chart
Duration
Temporary, ranging from days to weeks.
Permanent, with no return to the institution.
Process
Involves review and determination of time frame.
Follows thorough investigation, often as a last resort.
Conditions for Return
May include counseling or academic requirements.
No opportunity for reinstatement.
Impact
Seen as a temporary setback.
Has long-term implications for future opportunities.
Documentation
Documented in record but temporary.
Permanent record, influencing future opportunities.
Compare with Definitions
Suspend
Can be for various durations.
His suspension lasts three days for skipping classes.
Expelled
Permanent removal from an institution.
He was expelled for repeated violations of the school's code.
Suspend
Intended as a reflection period.
The suspension served as time for him to reflect on his actions.
Expelled
Long-term impact on opportunities.
Being expelled affected his college application process.
Suspend
Conditions for return may apply.
She must complete community service before returning from suspension.
Expelled
Documented permanently.
Her expulsion is noted in her permanent academic record.
Suspend
Temporary removal from school.
The student was suspended for a week due to fighting.
Expelled
No opportunity for reinstatement.
Once expelled, she cannot reapply to the school.
Suspend
Administrative process involved.
The principal suspended the student after a thorough review.
Expelled
Serious offenses lead to expulsion.
Expulsion was the result of cheating on the final exam.
Suspend
Temporarily prevent from continuing or being in force or effect
Work on the dam was suspended
Expelled
To force or drive out
Expel an invader.
Suspend
Hang (something) from somewhere
The light was suspended from the ceiling
Expelled
To discharge from or as if from a receptacle
Expelled a sigh of relief.
Suspend
(of solid particles) be dispersed throughout the bulk of a fluid
The paste contains collagen suspended in a salt solution
Expelled
To deprive of membership or rights in an organization; force to leave
Expelled the student from college for cheating.
Suspend
Prolong (a note of a chord) into a following chord, usually so as to produce a temporary discord.
Expelled
Simple past tense and past participle of expel
Suspend
To bar for a period from a privilege, office, or position, usually as a punishment
Suspend a student from school.
Suspend
To cause to stop for a period; interrupt
Suspended the trial.
Suspend
To halt something temporarily.
The meeting was suspended for lunch.
Suspend
To hold in an undetermined or undecided state.
Suspend
To discontinue or interrupt a function, task, position, or event.
To suspend a thread of execution in a computer program
Suspend
To hang freely; underhang.
To suspend a ball by a thread
Suspend
To bring a solid substance, usually in powder form, into suspension in a liquid.
Suspend
(obsolete) To make to depend.
Suspend
To debar, or cause to withdraw temporarily, from any privilege, from the execution of an office, from the enjoyment of income, etc.
To suspend a student from college; to suspend a member of a club
Suspend
(chemistry) To support in a liquid, as an insoluble powder, by stirring, to facilitate chemical action.
Suspend
To remove the value of an unused coupon from an air ticket, typically so as to allow continuation of the next sectors' travel.
Suspend
To attach to something above; to hang; as, to suspend a ball by a thread; to suspend a needle by a loadstone.
Suspend
To make to depend; as, God hath suspended the promise of eternal life on the condition of obedience and holiness of life.
Suspend
To cause to cease for a time; to hinder from proceeding; to interrupt; to delay; to stay.
Suspend your indignation against my brother.
The guard nor fights nor fies; their fate so nearAt once suspends their courage and their fear.
Suspend
To hold in an undetermined or undecided state; as, to suspend one's judgment or opinion.
Suspend
To debar, or cause to withdraw temporarily, from any privilege, from the execution of an office, from the enjoyment of income, etc.; as, to suspend a student from college; to suspend a member of a club.
Good men should not be suspended from the exercise of their ministry and deprived of their livelihood for ceremonies which are on all hands acknowledged indifferent.
Suspend
To cause to cease for a time from operation or effect; as, to suspend the habeas corpus act; to suspend the rules of a legislative body.
Suspend
To support in a liquid, as an insoluble powder, by stirring, to facilitate chemical action.
Suspend
To cease from operation or activity; esp., to stop payment, or be unable to meet obligations or engagements (said of a commercial firm or a bank).
Suspend
Hang freely;
The secret police suspended their victims from the ceiling and beat them
Suspend
Cause to be held in suspension in a fluid;
Suspend the particles
Suspend
Bar temporarily; from school, office, etc.
Suspend
Stop a process or a habit by imposing a freeze on it;
Suspend the aid to the war-torn country
Suspend
Make inoperative or stop;
Suspend payments on the loan
Suspend
As of a prison sentence
Common Curiosities
Is the reason for suspension always disclosed?
The specific reason may be documented internally but is not always publicly disclosed.
Can a suspended student return to school?
Yes, after the suspension period and fulfilling any required conditions.
Does a suspension affect college applications?
It can, depending on the college's application requirements and the nature of the suspension.
Are parents notified of a suspension or expulsion?
Yes, parents or guardians are typically notified in cases of suspension and expulsion.
What are the long-term effects of being expelled?
Expulsion can affect future educational and employment opportunities.
Is counseling provided for suspended students?
Some institutions may require or offer counseling as part of the conditions for return.
How do teachers handle a student’s return after suspension?
Schools often have reintegration plans to support the student’s return to the classroom.
What leads to suspension in schools?
Violations of school policies, such as fighting or cheating, can lead to suspension.
How is expulsion different from suspension?
Expulsion is a permanent removal from an institution, unlike the temporary nature of suspension.
Can expulsion be appealed?
Policies vary, but some institutions may allow for an appeal process.
How do suspension and expulsion impact student behavior?
They are intended as corrective measures, though their effectiveness can vary by individual.
How do schools decide between suspension and expulsion?
Decisions are based on the severity of the offense and the student’s disciplinary history.
What happens to a student’s education after expulsion?
They may need to seek education at another institution or through alternative education programs.
Can a student be expelled for a first offense?
Yes, if the offense is severe enough, such as violence or serious threats.
What supports are available for expelled students?
External support may include alternative education programs or counseling services.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
