Universities are institutions in which a community resides together. Much like a government, the administration imposes rules and guidelines to make the community safe and uphold its integrity.

This is called the Student Code of Conduct, and every student is expected to have read it prior to enrolling at Eastern. When students enroll, they are automatically held to the standards discussed in the code and are then subject to the Office of Student Standards if found in violation.

“As a student, you agree to certain guidelines when you sign the dotted line,” said Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs.

However, some students skip this step or find parts of the code and the process of Student Standards confusing. Wording has been called vague and not every infraction the board sees is present in the code.

“Under each standard we list typical ways that a student might be in violation of the standard,” said Heather Webb, director of student standards. “This is a common practice in our field because as society changes, it can be overwhelming to constantly provide a list of everything you can, and cannot, do under our code. Instead, we provide general guidelines to our campus community, but we also have the ability to interpret the code as needed.”

Since infractions range from noise complaints in residence halls to bomb threats, the real confusion lies within the process of student standards.

“The process is explained in the code, but each referral is decided on a case-by-case basis,” Nadler said. “So, sometimes more things go into the decisions the board makes, but the process and organization remain the same as designated by the code.”

Referrals are given to the board by residence hall associations, the University Police Department and faculty as well as letters and calls that are turned into written referrals, Nadler said.

The office receives affirmation from the vice president for student affairs, in this case Nadler, who is responsible to the president of the university, Bill Perry. He approves revisions to the code and the appointment of board members through outside recommendation.

Those members are comprised of faculty recommended by the Faculty Senate, students recommended by the Student Senate or who apply for the position and a chair who is the director of student standards, or a designee from within the office.

Webb oversees a staff of four in the office.

Nadler said all the people in the Office of Student Standards have to have a significant amount of experience to be hired in their positions. A master’s degree is required and a doctorate is preferred in student behavior.

Experience working within resident hall administration is a plus, he added.

The board consists of 12 students, 16 faculty members and six administrative appointees from Nadler. They alternate responsibilities in hearings.

“We are going to be taking applications for Board membership for the 2009-10 academic year to replace several student board members who will not be returning,” Webb said. Applications can be found in the office.

The board has the responsibilities of conducting hearings for students or groups found in violation of the standards in the code. They also have the authority to request revisions of the code annually to be approved by Nadler.

New infractions will have the chance to be implemented into the code — should they arise. Webb explained that annual revision is necessary in this case.

“There are new things coming up all the time – new and changing technology, environmental influences, etc,” she said. “Sometimes, also, we notice concerning trends in behaviors. For example, we have had a significantly larger number of cases involving students who are very hostile to one another. Fighting, verbal attacks and threats are becoming more and more common among our students.

“We have had a number of students this year suffer personal injury and/or property damage because of one of these incidents. What is even more concerning to our staff is that some students think it is acceptable to hit another person or threaten them.”

Any accused student has the right to a hearing if they believe their conduct to not be in violation of the code. However, if they admit to the infraction, no hearing is needed, and the vice president for student affairs or the director can deliver sanctions or punishments.

At the hearing the student presents their case, which the board takes in consideration all outside effects that led to the referral.

The hearing is lead by the hearing officer, most likely the director, who poses questions and decides what evidence and witnesses can be used on behalf of both the accused and the victim.

“Every case is extremely complex if it makes it to a hearing,” Nadler said, “We have to consider the pressures and stresses put on the student, economic motives, family and friends. All this comes together to and correlates to a case.”

Both victim and accused have the right to an adviser of their choice who can counsel them and a family member for support. Witnesses cannot be advisers for either student.

The board then deliberates in private coming to a decision. A decision of guilty needs a majority vote, must be in writing and will include the sanctions imposed because of violation.

Sanctions can range from a reprimand to full expulsion. The vice president for student affairs has to approve decisions by the board to suspend or expel students from the campus. In the 2007-2008 school year, 23 students were removed from campus.

Webb said there is a common misconception about student standards “that we are out to get the students or that the only thing we do is throw people out of school.”

The truth is, she explained, that the number of students who have been asked to leave is a relatively small percentage of those who are referred to student standards.

“But unfortunately their actions get the most attention from others,” she said. “What most people do not know about are the countless students who make a positive change after they meet with our staff and complete their sanctions. These students go on to be successful at EIU and graduate.”

Any appeals of decisions by the student or group must be written and submitted within seven days of the decision. Appeals must show credible information of a violation or error in eight causes for appeal. They are outlined in the code.

Outside of hearings, the vice president for student affairs has the right to implement an interim suspension until a student or group of students can be talked to about the possible violation or until a violation is determined to be present.

“It is important to understand that we rarely issue an interim suspension to a student, and only do so when there is a significant concern,” Webb said.

This method was used recently in the Robert Walker case where Walker was accused of making threats to the university on his Facebook page. It was taken to ensure the safety of the university, which overrides individual rights to the campus, Nadler said.

“We want to provide an environment that is safe and healthy for all,” Webb said. “Every student attending EIU should be able to learn, every faculty member should be able to teach and do research, and every staff member should be able to complete their job on campus.

“We cannot have students interfering with the functioning of our institution, and the Office of Student Standards assists in this area.”

Krystal Moya can be reached at 581-7942 or at ksmoya@eiu.edu.