Last night at the first meeting of the University Judiciary Committee's new term, the body voted unanimously to approve the revisions to the Standards of Conduct.
The University's 12 Standards of Conduct describe behavior generally prohibited to enrolled students. The former Judiciary Committee worked from the beginning of its term on revising the Standards.
Among the revisions, the former Committee suggested splitting Standard One into two different standards, placing physical and sexual assault in a separate category from conduct which "intentionally or recklessly threatens" a person's health or safety.
The other revisions mainly involve changes in terminology to clarify and better define parts of the old Standards.
Although UJC is charged by the Board of Visitors with interpreting and adjudicating the Standards, only the Board can revise or amend them.
In a March 22 meeting, the Executive Committee of the Board passed a resolution approving the revisions developed by the UJC.
"We wanted to take up [the revisions] before the old Committee went out of office," Board Rector John P. Ackerly III said. "The Executive Committee [of the Board] thought they were very constructive changes."
The changes are "in the best interest of everyone," University Judiciary Committee Chairman Paul Gigante said. "These [Standards] haven't been revised in a very long time and, of course, as the University changes so should our Standards of Conduct."
Gigante and former UJC Chairwoman Lissa Percopo will meet with the Board on Saturday. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the Board to the new chairman and Committee, as well as to inform the Board members of the changes to the Standards of Conduct, Board Secretary Alexander "Sandy" Gilliam Jr. said.
"We think it would be best to implement [the revisions] next fall because we want to make sure students are aware of what they are held accountable for," said Gigante, adding the Committee will launch an education campaign.
Members of UJC also approved the appointment of four new judges to the Committee at last night's meeting.
Gigante appointed judges to the Committee upon the recommendation of the outgoing Executive Committee and with the help of the new vice chairs. Then, the full Committee voted to approve the appointment of Medical Rep. Michael Kurz, Medical Rep. Anne Smith, Architecture Rep. Evan Ufer and Education Rep. Erin McMahon.
Most of the 21 judges on the Committee are elected by students of their respective schools. But, according to the bylaws, Committee members may appoint judges whenever there is a vacancy.
Gigante said the Architecture School and Education School judgeships were vacant because there were not enough candidates, and the two Medical School judgeships were not filled because the school has not held elections.
"Unfortunately, in the past the Medical School has been rather removed from the business of the Committee," Kurz said. "As far as I know, the Medical School judges have always been appointed."
Gigante said the new Committee now has 19 judges, but still is missing the two representatives from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
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