Speech by Jared Axelrod to the UO Senate 10 May 2006 relating to the discussion of the Student Conduct Code

Hi Peter,
Here are my notes from today's presentation. I did not follow it verbatim, but it is what I had in front of me and what was my guideline for my speech.
Thank you, Jared Axelrod

Jared Axelrod ASUO Senate, Seat 3, Senate Ombudsman Erb Memorial Union, Suite 4 Office: 541-346-3749 Fax: 541-346-0620 

• The current code makes a lot of improvements. Over the many years of debate and discussion regarding the update of the code, students and faculty have made beneficial changes. These efforts have not been futile; and students have been appreciative of the opportunity to provide feedback to the committee regarding code revisions.
• Nevertheless, more changes needs to occur before this becomes a permanent document. We understand there is a need for haste to approve this document. However, as students, we believe it is the duty of the Senate to approve a sound document that would adequately represent the needs of the campus community.
• Due to the following concerns, we respectfully request that the proposed code be sent back to the Student Conduct Code Committee so that a finalized, cohesive, and beneficial code may be developed:
 
• 1. We are troubled by the increased university administration's authority over student conduct procedures and policies. The proposed code changes the Director of Student Conduct's responsibilities from administering the Student Conduct Program to the ability to develop policies and procedural rules for the administration and hearings board regarding the student conduct system.
• 2. We are concerned about a lack of a statute of limitations of non-academic offenses. An indefinite period of time for bringing non-academic misconduct charges in fundamentally unfair.
• 3. Under the proposed code, students will have fewer procedural rights and protections. In recent changes, students will lose their right to be represented by an attorney, students will lose the right to have their advisor directly question accusers and witnesses, and students will loose the right to file motions, request depositions, submit rebuttal evidence, and engage in other administrative hearing practices.
• 4. The proposed code increases the university's off campus jurisdiction. The ad-hoc committee has expanded off campus jurisdiction to reach beyond conduct aimed at university community members.
• 5. The proposed code will allow increased retention of student disciplinary records. Possibly one of the most unacceptable changes, the ad-hoc committee has removed any reference to a time period for disciplinary file retention, however, it does provide a process for â``voiding'' files, a power which resides solely in the hands of the Director of Conduct and Community Standards.
• We ask that all University Senate members review the document for what it is and the affects it will have on students, and not how much time has been put into it. We recognize that many years has been spent updating this code, but please do not disregard these important aspects in the final stages of approval. Students should have these fundamental rights, and until these are replaced under this proposed code, students cannot willingly support this document. As student representatives, we insist that you do not approve this code that you have before you today.