Seeking input

April 22, 2016May 3, 2016Chris1 Comment

The Student Rights & Responsibilities Code Review Committee seeks input regarding its work to revise and update the student conduct code. Per WAC 516-21-340, “The code shall be reviewed every five years or more often, if needed.” The code was last revised in fall 2011. The Code sets expectations for student behavior and focuses on holding students accountable for their behavior in an educational manner.

A committee of students, staff and faculty has been meeting since February to provide recommendations for changes and revisions. These recommendations will be passed on to the Vice President for Enrollment & Student Services and the Board of Trustees will then take final action at their August board meeting.

The Committee is seeking confidential feedback as it completes its review. We are interested in any comment, but primarily in the following areas:

Is the Code clear?
What might be missing from the Code?
How can the Dean of Students Office best inform students of the Code?

This survey is open in early May and the Code Review Committee will meet to review all feedback. Depending on the amount and type of feedback, public responses may be posted here but no identifiable information will be included.

Drop-in sessions will be held for those who would like to ask questions or provide any feedback in person. These will be held on the following dates and locations:

– Wednesday, May 4th from 12-1pm in VU462A

– Thursday, May 5th from 12-1pm in VU543

Major changes include:

Updated Alcohol, Drugs & Paraphernalia, and Weapons sections:
Updated Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Conduct that Harms or Threatens sections (updates reflect changing federal legislation and guidance);
New Dating Violence, Domestic Violence and Retaliation sections (reflects changing federal legislation and guidance);
New section on Stalking (previously included in Harassment section);
Updated conduct process with suspension/expulsion decisions now being made by a conduct board;
New section on Amnesty to clarify current practice of encouraging students to seek medical assistance without fear of punishment;
New violation sections include Notification of Criminal Arrest to match Admissions application question and comply with changing state law;
New violation section on Violation of University Policy, Rule or Regulation

The Committee membership includes:

Students:

Caitlin Upshall, student (Residence Hall Association appointee)

Jenny Leirness, student (Residence Hall Association appointee)

Glen Eggers, student (Associated Students appointee)

Maggie Stuefloten (Associated Students appointee)

Faculty:

Peggy Watt, Journalism (Faculty Senate appointee)