NEWS
Regents finalize updated misconduct revisions
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Cameron Connors:
- Regents finalize updated misconduct revisions (October 6, 2008)
- Michigan State to allow video essay (October 3, 2008)
- Admissions officers have Facebook profiles, too (September 23, 2008)
Related Stories:
- Public debates student policy (May 9, 2007)
- Regents to revise misconduct code (October 1, 2008)
- Regents will provide portrait for all schools (October 3, 2008)
- Forum yields conduct critique (March 5, 2008)
- Community discusses misconduct policies (October 14, 2008)
Share This:
by Cameron Connors
Monday, October 6, 2008
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents moved forward Friday with the finalization process of a newly revised set of student misconduct policies.
The new misconduct revisions to Chapters 17 and 18 of University of Wisconsin System Administrative Code states students suspended or expelled from specific academic programs in the UW System would not be allowed to appeal to the Board of Regents.
Students would also not be allowed to have counsel speak on their behalf in disciplinary hearings, and students would be disciplined for serious off-campus offenses.
“That isn’t to say it’s accepted,” said Regent Colleene Thomas, a UW-Madison student. “After they review it in the spring … it goes to the state Legislature. The goal is to have the policies implemented in the fall of 2009.”
The transmittance of the policies to the Legislative Council Friday did not, however, include language that would make UW-Platteville’s campuswide smoking ban punishable under the Wisconsin Administrative Code.
Student Regent Kevin Opgenorth asked to include language to make his campus’ ban enforceable with fines or fees.
“There was interest on the part of Platteville students on whether they could enforce aspects of the ban,” said Board of Regents Vice President Charles Pruitt. “But, the decision was made to not amend Chapters 17 and 18 regarding the smoking ban.”
Changes to the misconduct policies generally apply to the UW System as a whole, but according to Opgenorth, that would not be what he is seeking in the revision.
“I’m a smoker, but I don’t feel I should continue to smoke on campus when a 70/30 margin agreed they didn’t want smoking on campus,” Opgenorth said. “I understand the fears. This is not intended to move every campus to nonsmoking. It’s just allowing us to enforce our ban.”
According to Opgenorth, he asked for the revision to help enforce the ban because Chapters 17 and 18 are seldom reviewed, and it would be quite a while before they could consider this again.
The smoking enforcement issues at UW-Platteville have not been “vetted properly,” which is one of the reasons why the regents decided to make no changes this time around, according to Thomas.
Outside of finalizing possible misconduct revisions, the regents discussed their process of choosing chancellors.
“First, we looked at the mechanics of how we look for chancellors — like background checks. The other related point was what else we could do to encourage officers (within the UW System) to apply for chancellorship,” Pruitt said.
According to Thomas, the regents toured UW-Stevens Point campus with Rebecca Martin, vice president of Student Affairs, who acknowledged the expansion of the UW Connections Program, which involves “funneling students who are academically prepared to be admitted to UW-Madison to begin their work elsewhere.”
The program previously included most technical and two-year colleges in the UW System and now includes UW-Green Bay. In fall 2009 UW-Parkside, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Stout will also be added.
Along with reappointments of regents to committees, the regents approved budget measures for 2009-11 and approved budget adjustments and construction projects for the UW System.
Anonymous (October 6, 2008 @ 1:37am):
It is a scary thing to think the revisions to Chapter 17 and 18 are going to be passed through...I think we may be giving administration way more power than we bargained for...When the discussions were being held last year, there were a lot of "only under certain circumstances" statements coming from them, but once they are in effect, i think we will see a whole different story...
Anonymous (October 6, 2008 @ 6:36am):
Where's ASM to fight this? Seriously, this should be on the top of the list for things to do.
Anonymous (October 6, 2008 @ 11:25am):
Students not allowed to have counsel speak on their behalf!?!?! That is ridiculous... The University has a legal adviser at all disciplinary hearings and several other people aid in the investigation. The hearings are run much like a trial, where you call witnesses to argue your side and cross-examination takes place. Now the student, who clearly has NO experience in such things, has to defend themselves against a board of people with a legal advisor, a dean who has ran many hearings, 2 faculty members, and a student.
Sounds a little lopsided with way to much power in the University's favor. This is their attempt to just railroad students out of here by giving them a significant disadvantage when fighting to stay in school.
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
