Committees & DTFs

Student Conduct Code DTF

The Evergreen State College Student Conduct Code as of February 10, 2012 (PDF)

Purpose

The purpose of this site is to provide timely information about the charge, membership, and progress of the Student Conduct Code DTF.

Final Steps

  • The DTF was charged in late Winter 2008 and provided recommendations to the Vice President for Student Affairs at the end of Spring 2010.
  • In October 2010 the Vice President for Student Affairs solicited feedback from the College community on the DTF’s recommendations for a new Student Code of Conduct.
  • In October 2011 the Vice President shared a refined version of a proposed new Student Code of Conduct based on legal counsel review. Feedback on this version was solicited and a revised Code was proposed October 5.
  • On October 26, 2011 the Vice President shared a Proposed Code and responses to questions and suggestions that were submitted between October 5 and October 14. See his memo to the community.
  • Written comments were received and a public hearing was held December 7, 2011. See summary of comments by Hearing Officer, Holly Joseph: Student Conduct Code Hearing Summary December 19, 2011 (PDF) and Student Conduct Code Hearing Written Feedback December 19, 2011 (PDF).
  • The Vice President for Student Affairs recommended adoption of the proposed Code effective February 10, 2012. See memo to President. Costantino to Purce Recommend Adoption (PDF).
  • The Vice President for Student Affairs announced the new Code to be effective February 10, 2012. See memo to community.

DTF Recommendation

Charge

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is convening a Student Conduct Code Disappearing Task Force to review, and where appropriate, revise our existing conduct code.

Context

The last review and revision of our student conduct code occurred in 1995. Since that time, we have experienced increases in the case load of our grievance officer, questions about the adequacy of our current code in addressing cases involving mental health issues and faculty requests for assistance in the areas of disruptive behavior and academic dishonesty. During the same time period, new laws and court rulings have influenced the way we think about our responsibility to inform students of dangerous situations, the protection of free speech, and record keeping. All of the above speak to the need to again examine our student conduct code to ensure that it is serving our campus, and that it is informed by what we know to be best practices.

The Student Conduct Code Disappearing Task Force is charged with the following:

  1. Review the current student conduct code as delineated in WAC 174-120-015 through 085 to assess the degree to which the code is adequately meeting the needs of The Evergreen State College in responding to allegations of misconduct and supporting student learning. The following resources should be used in this assessment:
    -direct experience of staff involved in administering the code
    -input from community members
    -review of Association of Student Judicial Affairs recommendations for best practice in student conduct
    -review of conduct codes from other institutions
  2. Recommend modifications, deletions, or additions to the code based on the review of the code.
  3. Recommend resources or strategies for enhancing the administration of the code based on the review.

Original Members of the DTF

Wendy Endress, Chair; Andrea Seabert Olsen, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs for Student Conduct; Nancy Murray, Faculty; Ed Sorger, Director of Police Services; Monique Vallot, Coordinator of Residential Life; Diane Conrad, CPJ Advisor; Brett Niemann and Sabrina Webster, Students.

Process and Timeline

The DTF should inform the campus of its deliberations online and through public forums. Consultation should involve Faculty, Staff and Students and representative bodies including the Faculty Agenda Committee and the Geoduck Union. The report is due to the Vice President for Student Affairs by March 20, 2009.