UT student code changes lead to fewer disciplinary resolutions
Violations of the student code of conduct at the University of Tennessee are increasingly being resolved with educational sanctions as opposed to disciplinary action under a new code implemented last fall.
In 2016-2017, 65 percent of violations resulted in educational sanctions. In the fall of 2017 — the first semester of implementing the new code at the Knoxville campus — almost 83 percent of violations ended in educational resolutions.
“The violations themselves are not substantially different under this new code of conduct, but it’s how we’re adjudicating them that’s the critical piece,” said Betsy Smith, director of UT Knoxville’s Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
“We’re trying to work on our recidivism rates and educate students on what they did to violate the code so they can make better decisions going forward.”
The new code was approved by the UT board of trustees and lawmakers last year after a revision process that started in 2013.
Officials at UT have emphasized the educational aspect of the code, which eliminates some of the legalistic and punitive language in the previous version, which hasn’t seen major updates in about four decades.
Other changes include the elimination of a separate judiciary board for issues concerning fraternities and sororities and the establishment of a streamlined disciplinary committee that includes students, faculty and staff, rather than the previous all-student model.
The new code also put in place amnesty and “Good Samaritan” policies that allow students to reach out for help “in event of a health, safety or welfare emergency” without being punished for violating rules in most circumstances.
Lawmakers expressed concerns about the code being too complicated and complex last August, but UT officials said after providing them with an update last week that feedback has been positive.
“In the past the Legislature was skeptical, but I think they were really pleased with the work we’ve done to ensure a smooth transition to the new code,” said UT Vice Chancellor for Student Life Vincent Carilli.
What kinds of violations are happening?
In 2016-2017, under the old code, there were 2,158 reported violations of the student code of conduct at UT Knoxville. Of those, responsibility was found in 1,763 instances.
More than 30 percent of the reported violations were related to alcohol policy and more than 10 percent were related to drugs or drug paraphernalia.
Those types of violations are similar to what other universities across the country are seeing, according to Carilli, though he added that drug violations and in particular, marijuana use, have been increasing recently.
In the fall of 2017, under the new code, about 33 percent of reported violations were related to alcohol policy and 11 percent were related to drugs and drug paraphernalia.
While it is still too early to say whether the updates to the code have led to fewer violations, Carilli said he is hopeful that the emphasis on education will lead to fewer students re-offending.
“The code has only been in place for one semester, so it’s still too early to tell, but we are hoping it will lead to lower recidivism rates,” he said.