2008 Woodie Awards
Policy revisions proposed for off-campus behavior
Courtney Teague-Carter
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: News
Possible revisions to the UW System's non-academic misconduct policies could increase clarity on penalties given for off-campus behaviors.
A UW System policy revision committee released a proposal to modify Chapters 17 and 18 in an effort to clearly state what constitutes as nonacademic misconduct and its ramifications.
"The revisions help better define what campuses can do in situations of misconduct off campus," said Barbara Jones, assistant chancellor of Student Affairs.
Chapter 17 of the UW System's administrative rules deals with disciplinary procedures in the event of misconduct off campus. Chapter 18 handles conduct on university property such as selling goods, parking and operating a vehicle.
The committee was asking for feedback from the public through its Web site, but it was taken down on March 11 so there would be enough time to review the feedback before the proposal was presented to the UW Board of Regents.
Mary Beth Mackin, UW-Whitewater's assistant dean of Student Life and member of the policy revision committee, says it is important to hold students responsible for their actions, especially if those actions serve the university's interests.
"The university is partners with the community," Mackin said. "And the new rules provide much more clarity in defining what is harmful and what is not."
One of the biggest aspects of the policy's revisions involves repeat offenses. Issues like receiving a speeding or parking ticket are not a big concern, but repeated citations for loud parties or underage drinking are.
"The university will not discipline students for receiving one ticket," Mackin said. "It is when someone uses conduct that is harmful to others and may demonstrate habit that causes the problem."
According to Jones and Mackin, the revisions are not necessarily changes but more of a clarification of the policy's language to include internet issues. The current policy does not mention issues like hacking or threatening e-mails because it was written before most campuses began using e-mails as their main form of communication.
"The old rules did not include new technology," Mackin said. "And since the scope is changing, the language must change also. At the same time we are trying to make it more student-friendly and have the process be less cumbersome."
The policy revision committee has worked for over a year to revise Chapter 17 and over two years to modify Chapter 18.
According to a news release issued by the UW System, the revision committee expects to present their recommendations to the UW Board of Regents in April. A public hearing will be held later for students, faculty and parents who wish to voice concerns.
A UW System policy revision committee released a proposal to modify Chapters 17 and 18 in an effort to clearly state what constitutes as nonacademic misconduct and its ramifications.
"The revisions help better define what campuses can do in situations of misconduct off campus," said Barbara Jones, assistant chancellor of Student Affairs.
Chapter 17 of the UW System's administrative rules deals with disciplinary procedures in the event of misconduct off campus. Chapter 18 handles conduct on university property such as selling goods, parking and operating a vehicle.
The committee was asking for feedback from the public through its Web site, but it was taken down on March 11 so there would be enough time to review the feedback before the proposal was presented to the UW Board of Regents.
Mary Beth Mackin, UW-Whitewater's assistant dean of Student Life and member of the policy revision committee, says it is important to hold students responsible for their actions, especially if those actions serve the university's interests.
"The university is partners with the community," Mackin said. "And the new rules provide much more clarity in defining what is harmful and what is not."
One of the biggest aspects of the policy's revisions involves repeat offenses. Issues like receiving a speeding or parking ticket are not a big concern, but repeated citations for loud parties or underage drinking are.
"The university will not discipline students for receiving one ticket," Mackin said. "It is when someone uses conduct that is harmful to others and may demonstrate habit that causes the problem."
According to Jones and Mackin, the revisions are not necessarily changes but more of a clarification of the policy's language to include internet issues. The current policy does not mention issues like hacking or threatening e-mails because it was written before most campuses began using e-mails as their main form of communication.
"The old rules did not include new technology," Mackin said. "And since the scope is changing, the language must change also. At the same time we are trying to make it more student-friendly and have the process be less cumbersome."
The policy revision committee has worked for over a year to revise Chapter 17 and over two years to modify Chapter 18.
According to a news release issued by the UW System, the revision committee expects to present their recommendations to the UW Board of Regents in April. A public hearing will be held later for students, faculty and parents who wish to voice concerns.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Justin O'Rourke
posted 3/19/08 @ 11:12 AM CST
I would like to take the opportunity to note a very important point that this article does not address. The revisions that are being proposed suppress students' right to free speech, assembly, and due process. (Continued…)
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