The department of student affairs has updated the two-year-old Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) policy to reflect issues more current to the Carleton community, according to the department.
“Over the spring and summer, student affairs worked very closely with [Carleton University Students’ Association], [Graduate Students Association] and [Carleton Academic Student Government] on our efforts to update the SRR. Their input was seen as critical. As a result of this collaboration, we have a stronger document that is supported by our student partners,” said Ryan Flannagan, director of student affairs.
The changes were minor and it is likely students will not notice a change in operation of the SRR policy or disciplinary procedure, he said.
“Many of the changes have been made in order to ensure the SRR reflects more recent [university] policies that were created after the establishment of the SRR,” said Flannagan.
Substantive changes in the body of the policy include co-operative education procedures and a completely new appendix dealing with students at risk.
The new co-op provision stipulates that if a student’s unauthorized conduct “in the workplace exceeds the provisions outlined in the Co-op Participation Agreement . . . the student’s alleged behavior will be addressed under the provisions of this policy.”
The new Student-At-Risk protocol, appendix C, will address a student’s “at-risk” behaviour that is beyond the scope of Category 1 and 2 Offences, as outlined in the SRR policy.
“Specifically, this behaviour must have already been demonstrated, or have the potential to physically, emotionally or psychologically harm the student that is exhibiting the behaviour, and/or members of the larger university community,” reads the policy.
Examples of this type of behaviour include students who have written suicidal notes or who have openly made threats to carry out actions that may harm members of the university community.
Some student responses to the SRR have been supportive.
“I think having an open amendment policy is the best way in which they can effectively remain up to date with current pressing issues,” said fourth-year student Ryan Kardal.
As noted, changes to the policy have been across the board, but one area in particular that is being reinforced is the university’s zero tolerance of incidents of assault and violent behavior, said Flannagan.
“When it comes to violent acts, student affairs tries to be very clear about what the university community’s expectations are. The message has to be: there’s no room for violent behavior on our campus,” said Flannagan.
“If we can work with a student through the SRR process and effectively address his/her behavior through non-criminal sanctions, this may be preferable to the prospect of this student having to go through the courts and receiving a criminal record.”
The SRR has often used financial penalties to discourage students from disobeying rules. This method has proved as a successful incentive and will be enforced earlier on in the disciplinary course of action according to the updated policy – as early as a student’s first offence.
Carleton students can expect to hear more about the finalized updates of the policy when school resumes in the fall.
“Student affairs is going to support an increased presence in the University Centre,” said Flannagan. “We’ll have an SRR booth there several times a year, letting students know about the policy.”
Flannagan said the updates serve as a way of keeping the university and the student affairs functioning effectively together.
It’s a case of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” said Flannagan. “That being said, minor but important changes have been made that will ensure that the policy is an even more effective, transparent, and fair tool [for the students of Carleton].”