News

System holding conduct forum today

The University of Wisconsin System will hold an open forum tonight to hear opinions from students and community members on the proposed changes to the UW conduct rules.

The forum will be conducted in Room 1651 of the Humanities Building from 6 to 8 p.m. and offers all community members and students the opportunity to give their opinion on the code of conduct. The forum is being held by the Offices of the Dean of Students.

The discussion will surround Chapters UWS 17 and 18 of Wisconsin Administrative Code. Chapter UWS 17 reviews student conduct both on and off campus, and Chapter UWS 18 dictates the specifics on both student and non-student conduct on university property. The process for revising these rules began in February 2007, UW System spokesperson David Giroux said.

An additional paragraph will be added to Chapter UWS 17 that will specify the expectations of students’ conduct both on and off campus. Assistant Dean of Students Kevin Helmkamp, who will be at the Conduct Rules Forum, said this addition was one of the biggest issues addressed at previous open forums.

In 2007, a committee of campus representatives and students was appointed to identify areas of Chapters UWS 17 and 18 in the Wisconsin Administrative Code that needed clarification. The recommendations that will be discussed were made by the committee and based on the public comments gathered at two previous open forums.

“I would like to think the rules that have been recommended have reflected a lot of input that we have heard on both sides,” Giroux said.

There are many comments and concerns, both from those who oppose and support the changes, he said. Many people feel these recommendations will be good additions to the conduct rules, but there have also been comments by some students who are concerned their rights are being infringed upon, Giroux said.

This forum is part of the process of getting these rules approved and added to the Wisconsin Administrative Code, Giroux said. The committee’s recommendations will be presented to the Board of Regents in April. After the Regents approve the revisions they will be sent to the Legislative Council.

After another university sponsored public hearing, the Board of Regents needs to approve the final set of rules, which would then be sent to the state Legislature to give them an opportunity to review the recommendations, Giroux said.

Giroux said the soonest these rules would go into effect would be summer 2009.