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.