The website to comment on the student conduct procedures is up.
https://from.wsu.edu/president/2016/student-conduct-process/provide-input/message.html?utm_source=phplist199&utm_medium=email&utm_content=HTML&utm_campaign=Provide+input+about+WSU+student+conduct+process
I think it is important for alumni to be heard on this. In my mind this is not about Robert Barber, his case just brought this to light. Below are the comments I submitted. I am placing them here to hopefully inspire your own comments. I do not ask that you agree with me.
The procedures for students facing suspension or expulsion the student conduct procedures must be completely overhauled. Suspension or expulsion are punitive in nature, not educational. The University's procedures must realize that. Students faced with potential suspension or expulsion must have the right to ask questions directly of witnesses or accusers. Students facing suspension or expulsion must have the right to disqualify members of the conduct board. If a student retains legal counsel, legal counsel must be able to participate directly in the student conduct proceeding. The members of a student conduct board must be representative of the WSU student body. The members of the student conduct board must have adequate training regarding weighing of evidence, their duty to be impartial, consideration of aggravating factors, consideration of mitigating factors, and the procedures they are required to follow.
New rules should be implemented immediately. There is no need to obtain an independent legal review. The University knows its procedures are inadequate. The University administration knows the procedures are inadequate. In the interim, the University President should be granting any expelled or suspended student a full adjudicative hearing. Use the University of Washington student conduct procedures and the procedures set forth in Section II.F. of WSU's Faculty Manual as your guideposts. WSU students are not be entitled to less due process then their peers at UW, and are not entitled to less due process than WSU faculty.
Lastly, I am willing to do more than complain and submit comments. I am willing to volunteer my time and energy to do whatever I can to aid the University in a quick and proper resolution to this matter.
https://from.wsu.edu/president/2016/student-conduct-process/provide-input/message.html?utm_source=phplist199&utm_medium=email&utm_content=HTML&utm_campaign=Provide+input+about+WSU+student+conduct+process
I think it is important for alumni to be heard on this. In my mind this is not about Robert Barber, his case just brought this to light. Below are the comments I submitted. I am placing them here to hopefully inspire your own comments. I do not ask that you agree with me.
The procedures for students facing suspension or expulsion the student conduct procedures must be completely overhauled. Suspension or expulsion are punitive in nature, not educational. The University's procedures must realize that. Students faced with potential suspension or expulsion must have the right to ask questions directly of witnesses or accusers. Students facing suspension or expulsion must have the right to disqualify members of the conduct board. If a student retains legal counsel, legal counsel must be able to participate directly in the student conduct proceeding. The members of a student conduct board must be representative of the WSU student body. The members of the student conduct board must have adequate training regarding weighing of evidence, their duty to be impartial, consideration of aggravating factors, consideration of mitigating factors, and the procedures they are required to follow.
New rules should be implemented immediately. There is no need to obtain an independent legal review. The University knows its procedures are inadequate. The University administration knows the procedures are inadequate. In the interim, the University President should be granting any expelled or suspended student a full adjudicative hearing. Use the University of Washington student conduct procedures and the procedures set forth in Section II.F. of WSU's Faculty Manual as your guideposts. WSU students are not be entitled to less due process then their peers at UW, and are not entitled to less due process than WSU faculty.
Lastly, I am willing to do more than complain and submit comments. I am willing to volunteer my time and energy to do whatever I can to aid the University in a quick and proper resolution to this matter.