Brooke Schmill
bschmill@uwyo.edu
ASUW passed a resolution Tuesday potentially allowing for larger student input on code of conduct violations.
Resolution No. 2496 permits a student facing discipline to choose to be tried by the traditional hearing process or by the Code of Conduct Committee that may include peers that could have better understanding of that student’s lifestyle.
Currently during code of conduct violations the Dean’s Office will appoint hearing officers to represent the opinion of the University of Wyoming.
“Allowing a review panel would possibly allow input from students, faculty and staff to all be considered when discussing the responses UW provides in punitive action,” Paul Drake, ASUW senator of the college of engineering and applied sciences, said.
Appointed and trained students will be able to discuss unique situations or issues that could repeatedly be a concern at UW.
“Policies can and do scare students from making mistakes for fear of punitive action, such as calling for help if a friend or they themselves has entered into a life-threatening situation, but they refrain from doing the right-thing to avoid legally self-incriminating themselves,” Drake said.
Drake said he has concerns fair rulings can take place on whether an individual or party was truly conducting themselves in the best manner when an entirely unaffiliated, single-party is responsible for hearing a disciplinary case.
Senate Bill No. 2498: ASUW Revision of Voting Distribution – Addition of Freshman Senate Vote passed. The bill states that full-time, first-year students at UW as a group currently do not have the opportunity to vote for their direct representation on the ASUW Senate.
Benjamin Wetzel, ASUW freshman senator, said this legislation will allow Freshmen on campus, who make up 16 percent of the student body, are not here in the spring semester, to make decisions on who represents them on ASUW. Freshmen senate operates to represent that portion of the student body.
“Between their outreach to freshman on campus issues, and all of their hard work, it was decided that the organization is deserving of a vote on the senate floor in order to truly impact the campus on behalf of full-time, first-year students,” Wetzel said.
Concerns voiced about the bill included the bill could give double representation to freshmen.
A second concern was the exact wording of the legislation would give other organizations, particularly transfer and international students, a lack of representation.
“We made extensive amendments to the legislation in order to remove the concern of other organizations from being able to apply for this vote without a constitutional amendment,” Wetzel said.
Senate Bill No. 2503: Addition of RSO Outreach to Senate Service Hour Options passed.
Full legislation is available to read on ASUW’s website.
Faculty Senate Rep. Tucker Readdy reported the Student Interaction Committee (SIC) has been asked to review whether the Grade Point Average (GPA) for the President’s Honor Roll should be changed from 4.0 to 3.90.
In the faculty senate executive committee Feb. 29, Associate Vice President for undergraduate education Anne Alexander presented the suggestion.
“This consideration is relevant given the switch to the plus/minus grading system in fall of 2014,” Readdy said. “I hope that the SIC will make a recommendation before the end of the academic year so that we can move forward with potential changes at the start of next academic year.”
