It’s on every freshman’s to-do list. In between their tearing open of an acceptance letter and ordering of an extra long twin sheet, incoming students read the student code of conduct, right? Well, if it isn’t on their agenda, the new updates should put it there.
The University of Oregon’s student conduct code sets standards for its students, and it’s currently changing.
The sexual misconduct section of the student code of conduct was referenced frequently after the alleged sexual assault involving members of the UO basketball team last spring. In former president Michael Gottfredson’s May 9 statement to the media, he referred to the university’s “rigorous internal conduct processes,” but for many students, these processes are unclear.
In spring, the UO Board of Trustees made changes to the student code of conduct and continue to revise it. Some changes include adding the word “explicit” to the terms of consent in two sections and removing the option for students to be disciplined through a panel hearing. Few students opted for panel hearings in the past.
According to the university’s Senior Director of Communications Julie Brown, over the last three years only 4 percent of all student conduct cases were scheduled for panel hearings. With the new changes, all students accused of violating the student conduct code will now go through an administrative conference.
The sanctions that students can receive from administrative conferences vary case by case. Sophomore Thomas Tullis received two conduct code sanctions last year for downloading movies through a peer-to-peer sharing site. Tullis was assigned to write a 1,000 word essay about the dangers of illegal downloading and peer to peer sharing.
Another change to the code is its jurisdiction.
“The jurisdiction has been changed so that it’s not just what you do on campus,” said ASUO President Beatriz Gutierrez. “You can get in trouble for something that you did at home or in Eugene if it has affects to the educational environment of the university.”
As president, Gutierrez sits on the Board of Trustees and was present when the changes were adopted. The UO Board of Trustees passed a resolution during its Sept. 11 session to make temporary changes to the student conduct code. Those changes expanded the role to the Board of Trustees, specifically with regard to establishing and amending the code.
The University Senate previously established the student conduct code, but in the new red-marked version, that job goes to the Board of Trustees. At the moment, the Board of Trustees can also amend the code upon consultation with the president, faculty and students.
There are several ways for students to get their voices heard and contribute to a dialogue. One avenue is the ASUO. Gutierrez and her staff are planning to hold a public forum during winter term and to reach out to educate students about the code.
“It’s important because it tells you what you can and cannot do on campus,” Gutierrez said. “It’s the guidelines that you have to live by on this campus. It’s our university. There are around 25,000 students here and we should be able to have a say in what kind of options we have when we do something bad.”
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