PULLMAN, Wash. — At the invitation of
The review team will meet with groups of students, administrators and faculty as part of an effort to assess the university’s student conduct process.
The WSU Board of Regents asked administrators to coordinate a review of the student conduct process after some people complained it does not adequately address claims of hate and bias. The main goal of the review is to see if the current conduct process can be improved to better deal with incidents related to hate, bias and harassment.
The Washington State Human Rights Commission is in the final stages of assembling its review team. Joining Marc Brenman, executive director of the state human rights commission, on the review team are Reiko Callner, senior ethics investigator for the State Commission on Judicial Conduct; Thi Huynh, member of the State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs; and Joan Menzies, student services director for WSU Spokane. Two other people, including a student, are still being considered for the team.
Michael J. Tate, vice president for the Office of Equity and Diversity, and his staff will serve as the review team’s main support throughout the entire process. “I think it is important that an agency outside of Washington State University, that is focused on human rights, look at our conduct policies and procedures through unbiased eyes,” Tate said.
Although the commission representatives are coming to campus during the beginning of finals week, a very busy time for students, Tate said it was crucial they have an opportunity to meet with students before summer break. “Our student conduct codes are complex and will require a significant time commitment on behalf of the review team. We want our codes to work well for our students and will seriously consider any suggestions, comments or recommendations they forward to us,” he said.
Tate asked the review team to provide a progress report to the Board of Regents in May and to submit a final report to the university in June.
