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Arrest policy altered for students
Definition of 'student' changes
GREG WILSON
Issue date: 9/26/08 Section: News
Students may try to hide arrests from their parents, but a new code of conduct policy requires all arrests to be reported to the University within 72 hours.
On Thursday the University Cabinet approved the code, which requires students to report arrests, criminal convictions and other disciplinary action to the Office of Judicial Programs.
This is a first for the University, as students have never been required to come forward, said Brandon Frye, assistant dean of students in the Office of Judicial Programs, in a telephone interview Thursday.
"Now every student who finds him or herself in some type of situation - whether it's criminal or disciplinary - now has a duty ... to notify the Office of Judicial Programs," said Rodney Bennett, vice president for student affairs, after the meeting.
Police reports from Athens-Clarke County and the University police departments will be sent to the office, but students still must turn themselves in before the three-day deadline. The University does not receive reports outside of the county, but the policy still applies.
Those who fail to report transgressions may face suspension or expulsion from the University, the policy states.
Part of a student's responsibility when he or she joins the academic community is to "abide by established policies and procedures," Bennett said. "We think students in general will buy into the spirit of what we are trying to accomplish here."
The cabinet also voted to change the definition of "student" in conduct codes to include those who are admitted to the University. Previously, only someone enrolled in classes was considered a student.
"We want a person, once he or she is admitted, to feel like they have some responsibilities to comport themselves in a appropriate manner," said University President Michael Adams.
"We had a couple admitted students here this summer who frankly did not do that."
In June, Hardeep Purewal, an incoming freshman from North Charleston, S.C., was arrested and charged with underage consumption of alcohol and public urination.
On Thursday the University Cabinet approved the code, which requires students to report arrests, criminal convictions and other disciplinary action to the Office of Judicial Programs.
This is a first for the University, as students have never been required to come forward, said Brandon Frye, assistant dean of students in the Office of Judicial Programs, in a telephone interview Thursday.
"Now every student who finds him or herself in some type of situation - whether it's criminal or disciplinary - now has a duty ... to notify the Office of Judicial Programs," said Rodney Bennett, vice president for student affairs, after the meeting.
Police reports from Athens-Clarke County and the University police departments will be sent to the office, but students still must turn themselves in before the three-day deadline. The University does not receive reports outside of the county, but the policy still applies.
Those who fail to report transgressions may face suspension or expulsion from the University, the policy states.
Part of a student's responsibility when he or she joins the academic community is to "abide by established policies and procedures," Bennett said. "We think students in general will buy into the spirit of what we are trying to accomplish here."
The cabinet also voted to change the definition of "student" in conduct codes to include those who are admitted to the University. Previously, only someone enrolled in classes was considered a student.
"We want a person, once he or she is admitted, to feel like they have some responsibilities to comport themselves in a appropriate manner," said University President Michael Adams.
"We had a couple admitted students here this summer who frankly did not do that."
In June, Hardeep Purewal, an incoming freshman from North Charleston, S.C., was arrested and charged with underage consumption of alcohol and public urination.
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