Students Question Conduct Rules

At 109 pages, the University handbook is the one book all students are required to read.

However, many students are unaware of the procedures followed in the case of a rule or policy violation. This can create problems for students when they get in trouble with the University.

Although it is relatively easy to read the Handbook — a simple search on the University Web site yields many copies of the Handbook pages online — how likely are students to read it?

“I’ve never read the student handbook,” said Nicole Fogliano ’12.

Daniel Liashek ’12 agreed. “No, I’ve never read it,” he said.

When asked if she knew anything about the Peer Conduct Board as opposed to the Student Conduct Board, Becca Patrick ‘12 responded, “Is there a difference?” Again, Patrick’s unfamiliarity about the judiciary system of Fairfield doesn’t stem from ignorance, but rather from lack of available information.

“I’ve never heard of it before,” she said.

Patrick  is not alone in her unfamiliarity with the Student Conduct Board — in fact, most students have no idea what the Student Conduct Board is, let alone its function in the judiciary system of Fairfield.

What is the Student Conduct Board, Anyway?

The Student Conduct Board, generally comprised of five members, is one of three groups established on campus to handle University policy and rule violations. More formal than the Peer Conduct Board yet still subordinate to the Office of the Dean of Students. The Conduct Board consists of  two voting students, one voting academic dean, one voting faculty member and a non-voting chairperson. The list of Board members is not included in the Handbook, and is not easily searchable on the Web site.

Though most students never read the entire Handbook — or even any pages at all — it holds the rules governing student conduct and behavior for any student on campus or off.

“Since the standards of conduct apply to all students of the University both on and off campus, students arrested for criminal offenses (misdemeanor or felony) are subject to disciplinary action,” the handbook states.

Administrators direct alleged violations to whichever body is appropriate for handling the situation. The Student Conduct Board handles “alleged violations of policies whose sanctions call for dismissal” from the University, according to the Handbook.

Student members of the Conduct Board are selected from the Peer Conduct Board and are appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs, while faculty members are nominated by the general faculty. All members are “known for their integrity and commitment to the standards governing the University community,” the Handbook explains. Student conduct hearings “are not open to the public, other members of the University community, parents, family members, or legal counsel.”

Once the hearing is complete, the Board must deliberate to reach a final decision.

Ultimately, the Dean of Students is responsible for “enforcing rules and regulations”, the Handbook explains. The resolutions agreed upon by the Student Conduct Board are given to the Thomas Pellegrino, the current Dean of Students, who approves or edits the decision and informs the student of the outcome. After the student is notified, the student has an opportunity to appeal the outcome.