University officials are considering changing the Student Code of Conduct, which would change many facets to how student offenses are handled, including eliminating some students’ final appeal opportunity.
University officials are considering changing the Student Code of Conduct, which would change many facets to how student offenses are handled, including eliminating some students’ final appeal opportunity.
The proposed changes were shared with Graduate Student Senate at its meeting Monday night by Martha Compton, director of the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility.
Under the proposed changes, the university wouldn’t distinguish “A” and “B” level offenses and all violations — and the punishments for them — would be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Level A offenses previously included violations such as plagiarism, theft and some instances of drug and alcohol use and were subject to suspension or expulsion. Level B offenses previously included disturbing the peace and misuse of university devices and typically were only subject to probation.
It wasn’t immediately clear as of presstime what the possible punishments could be for each offense under the new code, if adopted.
If university officials were considering probation or expulsion, the student would be told when his or her hearing process started, Compton said.
A hearing officer reviews all offenses and an administrative hearing takes place, which includes university representatives. If a student disagrees with the verdict, he or she can currently appeal to an appeal board. If that verdict is not what the student was hoping for, he or she could appeal to •Ryan Lombardi, vice president for Student Affairs.
But that might also change for some cases if these new rules are adopted.
Lombardi, under the new rules, would only review cases that do have suspension or expulsion on the table. Lower offenses, which he currently (and often) reviews, wouldn’t be considered.
In the 2013-14 academic year, 2,402 students had A and B level offenses. Of those, only 36 were suspended; 919 students received at least one A level charge last year.
“The system does not function well for us right now … feedback from students is that it was really confusing, so we took a look at it,” Compton said.
But GSS disagrees with removing Lombardi from some students’ appeal cases.
“Appeals are there to protect you … this (change) is not in the students’ interest,” said Carl Edward Smith III, GSS president.
The university is also considering changing the amount of time it can suspend a student. Currently, the university can suspend a student for up to a year.
“Usually that is enough, but if stalking, sexual assault, harassment and physical assault are involved one year could not be enough,” Compton said.
One year of suspension could not be enough if the victim is still in school and does not want the attacker back on campus, Compton said.
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