Reforming Student Conduct and Ethical Development

Over the last two years I have attempted to provide students who are facing the University Hearing Board a fair chance to defend themselves from whatever allegations are confronted with. It is almost impossible to go a full year at The Catholic University of America without knowing someone who didn't understand what was involved in the hearing process and who winds up suspended or expelled. It is not right that students are given no opportunity to prepare their case or information as to what resources (incident report, witness policy, etc.) are available to them, while the students who are hearing their case receive professional training from the University.

In order to rectify this inequality I sponsored a bill that was passed last Spring by the Student Association General Assembly mandating the creation of a Student Advocacy Board, designed to provide unbiased information about the hearing process, and student rights therein. This body would initially be composed of members of the University Hearing Board (although if they advised a student they would be not be eligible to hear their care) and later expanded out to any interested member of the University Community interested in helping inform their fellow students and preventing people from getting railroaded by a poorly implemented hearing board system. Strict confidentiality would of course be required of anyone taking part of in the program.

Despite the progress made this Fall, more has to be done to establish, and advertise this program leading up to the Fall 2010 semester. SAGA, and specifically the Student Life Committee, need to ensure that this initiative is institutionalized into the University training schedule alongside the training for the University Hearing Board so that it becomes an official, and effective role here at CUA. After accomplishing this goal the program could be further expanded to help enlighten students regarding being documented by a RA and other University policies.