Proposing Changes to SR&R

The Student Code of Conduct may be revised when, in PLU’s discretion, the need arises. This may occur during the course of an academic year, as well as a break between academic years. Revisions occur under the direction of the Dean of Students, in consultation with the Associate Director for Student Rights and Responsibilities, appropriate student, faculty, and administrative committees/councils and legal counsel.

Members of the PLU campus community requesting changes to the Code of Conduct may do so through the officers of ASPLU or RHA, as a request to the Campus Life Committee of the Faculty, or directly with the Dean of Students.

Students will be notified of changes as they become effective. Notification will usually be made via email.

Proposed Changes

Included in the general purpose of the university committee, known as the University Review Board, is the recommendation and implementation of policies regarding student conduct.

How can members of PLU campus community seek to make changes to the Student Code of Conduct?

  • Take the concern directly to the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
  • Take the concern to ASPLU
  • Take the concern to RHA
  • Take the concern to the Campus Life Committee
  • Take the concern to the University Review Board

Typical Types of Changes

  1. Edits for Clarification
  2. Procedure Changes
  3. Policy Changes

Timeline for Changes

The Faculty Assembly and the Senate of ASPLU must ratify recommendations for policies related to student conduct. As such, the process will need to occur during the academic year in accordance with a timeline that allows each body to ratify the changes before its last meeting in May.

Student Notice

The Student Code of Conduct is posted on the web. Students receive an email at the beginning of each semester with a link to these documents. If a change is made mid-year, the student body is notified via email.

Consultation Procedures for Proposed Changes

Consultation procedures always include:

  • Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
  • Associate Director for Student Rights and Responsibilities
  • Attorney

In addition, consultation procedures often include:

  • Student Life Council (in total or individual members)
    • Dean for Student Academic Success
    • Assistant Dean for Campus Life
    • Director of Athletics
    • Director of Campus Safety
    • Director of Career Development
    • Director of Counseling Center
    • Director of Health Center
    • Director of Residential Life
    • Director of Student Involvement & Leadership
    • University Pastors
  • ASPLU President (or Senate)
  • President’s Council (in total or individual members)
    • Provost
    • Vice President for Finance & Operations
    • Vice President for Admission & Enrollment Services
    • Vice President for Development and University Relations
    • Executive Director of University Communications
    • Assistant to the President
    • University President

Questions to be answered when considering a change

  • What happens in the “real world”?
  • Is the proposed change legal and how does it work with the legal system?
  • What does the change restrict?
  • Who does the change benefit?
  • Who does the change restrict?
  • How well does the change balance various student interests?
  • How well does the change balance student, staff and faculty interests?
  • How does the change fit with the university mission?
  • What is the impact of the change on the educational experience?
  • What is the impact of the change on campus life?
  • How does the change fit with the rest of the student policies?
  • How does the change fit with employee policies?
  • How does the change fit with general conduct expectations?
  • How do other similar schools handle the issue?
  • How often is this issue a problem?
  • What are the liability issues associated with the issue?

Research Resources

  • Attorney (higher education attorney listserve)
  • ASCA (Association for Student Conduct Administrators listserve)
  • ELCA Senior Student Affairs listserve
  • Region V of NASPA
  • NASPA website – student conduct issues
  • NW Conference (athletic competitor schools)
  • ANAC member schools
  • Disability Support Services
  • Various journals received in Student Life Office

Examples of recent major policy changes (on campus participants)

Alcohol Policy sanctions – discussed in ‘03-‘04 and changed for ‘04-‘05 (ASPLU president)

Residence Hall visitation – discussed in ‘03-‘04 & ‘04-‘05 and changed in ‘05-‘06 (RHA and ASPLU)

Smoking Policy – discussed and changed in Fall ‘05 as WA state law changed (Human Resources, President’s Council)

Publicity and Solicitation – discussed and changed in Fall ‘06 (President’s Council, Student Life Council, ASPLU, Student Media Board, Mast)

Weapons Policy – revised in August ’07 (by recommendation of the Safety and Security Task Force to align the Student Code of Conduct and the Human Resources policy).

Final Authority

The Bylaws of Pacific Lutheran University include among the responsibilities of the Board of Regents:

“To establish, upon recommendation of the president, the necessary structure, policies and rules for the efficient organization, administration, and operation of the university (Article III, Section 1.d).”