University Assembly committee selects three critical issues to study for Campus Code of Conduct revision

A small group with a big charge and a tight deadline held its first meeting Dec. 6 in Goldwin Smith Hall to discuss a timetable for submitting a final report to the University Assembly (UA) on changes to the Cornell Campus Code of Conduct proposed in the so-called Krause report.

The group, the Codes and Judicial Committee (CJC), has been delegated by the UA to solicit campus community input on revisions to the Campus Code of Conduct, proposed by Barbara Krause, former Cornell judicial administrator now at Skidmore College.

President David Skorton is seeking the input on the proposed Krause revisions from the campus community by April 1, 2007, for amending, revising or replacing the current code. In an e-mail message to the campus dated Dec. 7, Skorton noted: "Even though I realize that the proposed schedule is an ambitious one, I remain hopeful that we can finish our work in time for consideration by the Board of Trustees in May 2007. This would clear the way for the implementation of any changes, at the start of the next academic year. If the University Assembly finds, however, that the CJC cannot reasonably fulfill its responsibility in the time allotted, I will consider an extension. Because there is a functioning code of conduct in place, we should take our time if that proves necessary."

The code defines appropriate behavior and disciplinary actions required when rules are broken. Among its many other responsibilities, the UA has authority over the Campus Code of Conduct and the Statement of Student Rights.

Six of the CJC's voting members identified three principle topics on which to make recommendations to the UA:

The Dec. 6 meeting was led by co-chairs Marty Hatch, professor of music, and Kathleen Rourke, publications manager and news liaison at the Cornell Law School.

The creation of a blog on the CJC Web site, along with campus e-mail messages and list-servs, also was discussed. (To reach the blog and to read and comment on the Krause report and to learn more about the CJC and UA, visit http://www.assembly.cornell.edu/KrauseReportComments/Home).

The CJC will submit a report on these three issues to the UA no later than March 7, 2007. It was agreed that these three issues would serve as a starting point to tackle, with due deliberation, other difficult issues raised in the Krause Report, such as the right to remain silent.

The UA is a governing body of 21 voting members: six undergraduate students, three graduate/professional students, five employees and seven faculty.

On Nov. 29 the UA held its first public meeting on the revisions and delegated the information-gathering process to the CJC. Membership in the CJC is drawn from Cornell undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff, and includes representatives from the Judicial Administrator's office, the Office of Assemblies and the Cornell Police.

The president also has created a working group to collaborate with the UA and to advise him on developing the new Campus Code of Conduct, with members drawn from key campus offices and including those particularly conversant with the workings of the code. They are: Susan Murphy, vice president for student and academic services (chair); Charlie Walcott, dean of the university faculty; Alison (Sunny) Power, dean of the graduate school; Tommy Bruce, vice president for university communications; Mary Opperman, vice president for human resources; Mary Beth Grant, judicial administrator; and Jim Mingle, university counsel and secretary of the corporation.

The CJC will meet again Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. in Room B12 Day Hall.

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