The Red and Black

Issue date: 9/26/08 Section: News

Changes in policies

Rodney Bennett speaks about policy

Michael Adams speaks about policy

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.

He was in Athens attending freshman orientation. His admission to the University was revoked.

Also in June, Tyler Biringer, a freshman from Roswell, was arrested and charged with underage possession of alcohol and an open container.

Biringer's admission was not revoked, and he is enrolled in classes this semester.

"If this policy had been in place, we might have reconsidered their admission status," Adams said.

"It is important to send a message that Student Life is interested in how people conduct themselves when they join the University of Georgia family."

Adams also gave an update on construction on campus.

Funds for the Special Collections Library will be included in next year's budget.

The administration is working on a proposal for a new residence hall on East Campus that will include 500 beds and open in fall 2010. Bids closed this week, and construction will begin during the spring semester.

The administration is developing proposals for a new student learning center on South Campus.

Adams said he expects enrollment for the 2008-2009 school year to be around 34,000 students­ - an all-time high - though the official count will not be out until October.

Proposals for a new childcare facility on campus are still underway, and Adams said the administration will report its recommendations by November.

"There are four different options that we looked at," he said. "We are going to do our best. I don't yet have a recommendation from that committee, but we will respond in the time we said we would respond."

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