Judicial Code Plan rewritten

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by George Hatoun

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Following a three-year rewriting process, a new Code of Student Conduct will replace the existing Code of Judicial Procedure, pending approval by the Board of Governors.

The new code will govern the administration of all aspects of student discipline, except for matters that fall under the honor system and traffic and parking regulations.

"I started with an attempt to simply update the existing Code of Judicial Procedure but eventually [Judicial Affairs Officer] Patricia Bass and I decided it was better to scrap the whole thing and start fresh," Dean of Students Sarah Burnett said.

Burnett was one of 11 members of the ad hoc Judicial Affairs Committee appointed by President Gillis in September 1995 to refine the changes to the system. The committee was chaired by Human Performance and Health Sciences Professor Hally Poindexter. Hanszen College senior Glenn Levy, Will Rice College senior Alex Cestero, Brown College senior Rebecca Darr and Brenda Melvin, a graduate student in chemical engineering, served as members of the committee.

Burnett, who is leaving her post as dean of students after this year, said that Bass will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the university's judicial system starting next year. It has not yet been decided whether Bass will be given the title "dean of students."

The code must be approved by the Board of Governors at their May meeting in order for it to go into effect for the 1996-97 academic year. Students are encouraged to read the draft at: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bass/code/index.html

CURRENT

Code of Judicial Behavior Administered by president.

Cases referred between the colleges and U. Court only for reasons of jurisdiction or prejudice.

Dean may overrule court only in exceptional cases and can take independent action only for safety/health reasons. Courts not required to tell dean of cases.

No official mediation process.

All hearings closed.

No mention of violations on transcript.

No provision for withdrawal.

NEW

Code of Student Conduct

Administered by v.p. for student affairs and new "Judicial Affairs Committee."

Off-campus violations by Rice students may be dealt with by Rice courts.

Matters can be referred to courts, masters or the dean of students "as appropriate."

Dean can move cases from one court to another at his/her discretion and can take "independent action" by notifying the v.p. of reasons. Courts must notify dean of cases they are handling.

Cases may be sent to mediation process.

Hearings may be open if all parties agree.

Court will be informed of previous academic and non-academic record violations before sentencing.

Transcripts include records of violations.

Students who withdraw when charged are considered "resigned" and will generally not be considered for readmission.

Students must sign the Jud-icial Code before entering Rice.

This item appeared in the News section of the April 19, 1996 issue.

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