Student code of ethics updated

University students may be unaware they are operating under a new code of rights and responsibilities.\nThe Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct, known more casually as the code of ethics, underwent its first revision since December 1996. The changes went into effect at the beginning of the fall semester. \nThe major changes are as follows:\n-- E-mail is now considered an official medium for University-to-student communication. Students are required to check their University e-mail accounts with regularity.\n-- Some new off-campus offenses can be dealt with by University officials. Serious alcohol and drug offenses, domestic violence and stalking are the three additions.\n-- An additional guideline for dealing with disruptive students is included.\n-- A new statement gives students the right to receive "clearly stated course goals" and grading systems.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said the sheer size of the code, which previously was 49 single-spaced pages, can be blamed for the almost eight-year hiatus in revisions.\n"It's not a document that's easily altered," he said. "It's a cumbersome process, and people are generally reluctant to start down that road."\nThe section involving off-campus alcohol and drug offenses is open to interpretation, McKaig said. The exact wording of the document gives the University the authority to discipline students for "alcohol and drug offenses that pose a serious threat to self or others" that occur places other than University property.\nMcKaig said minor alcohol offenses would not apply to the code.\n"We agreed that if the University is involved, it should only be for serious offenses," he said.\nHe also said the policy applies to marijuana charges, saying only sales and possession of large amounts of the drug would be considered in violation of the policy.\nStudents who commit alcohol and drug offenses on campus are, as before, subject to discipline by the University.\nMcKaig said the additions of stalking and domestic violence reflect incidents that have occurred with increasing frequency.\n"Whether it's on or off campus, (victims) feel just as threatened" by the offenses," the code now reads.\nStudents have reacted with mixed feelings.\n"It's your own personal life," said senior Joe Davis, regarding the off-campus offenses revisions. "If it's something on your own time, I don't think they should have the right to do that."\nBut senior Ashish Thaker was happy with the revision regarding clearly stated course goals.\n"I am pleased they are holding the professors accountable for their course schedules," he said. "Maybe it will force them not to deviate from the course as, with my experience with professors, they've been apt to do in the past."\nBut Thaker was not so pleased with the off-campus activities changes.\n"I don't know why they're trying to regulate our off-campus activities," he said. "This is America, not communist China."\nThe new code, which has not been printed but can be found online, was approved by the IU board of trustees in pieces during their last several meetings.\nThe code, however, is in constant need of revision. To remedy the lag in amendment time, McKaig said, two new separate groups exist to streamline the document and to address necessary changes annually. \nThe new policy can be found at dsa.indiana.edu/Code/index.html.\n-- Contact senior writer Rick Newkirk at renewkir@indiana.edu.