By Chantell Cosner, Division of Student Affairs
Over the next two weeks, Vice President of Student Affairs Mary Jo Gonzales will be visiting campuses across the Washington State University system to share information with students, faculty and staff about the updated community standards process and corresponding resources.
Changes to WSU’s Standards of Conduct were approved November 2018 by the Board of Regents with updates that reflect the community-centric and educational vision for campus conduct going forward.
“These new community standards are the result of rigorous conversations over the past year and a half and involved input and discussion from key stakeholders across the WSU system,” said Nancy Youlden, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment for WSU Vancouver.
“There are a number of new resources and tools to help students effectively navigate these new standards,” she said.
Students now have access to a new student handbook website which provides extensive details about their rights and responsibilities.
The website also provides an overview of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) written in language that is easy to understand as well as information on guidelines for sanctioning in the instance that a student is found responsible for violating community standards.
In addition to the website, students can attend peer‑led informational sessions to learn more about the resources available to them.
“Our goal is to make this process a little less intimidating,” said student peer mentor and WSU Pullman senior Candace Quinn. “This is an opportunity for us to really break down what is going to happen into understandable steps. It’s much more approachable.”
Gonzales and her colleagues will share more details about the informational sessions, how students can access an advisor for support and the improvements made to communication that will help students understand how they can become actively engaged in the community standards process.
Upcoming Community Standards Information Sessions
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Wednesday, Jan. 23
WSU Vancouver, ECS 105
- Student Session: 12–1 p.m.
- Faculty & Staff Session: 1–2 p.m.
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Thursday, Jan. 24
WSU Everett, Classroom 358
- Student Session: 9–10 a.m.
- Faculty & Staff Session: 10–11 a.m.
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Monday, Jan. 28
WSU Tri‑Cities, Floyd 224
- Student Session: 12–1 p.m.
- Faculty & Staff Session: 1–2 p.m.
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Tuesday, Jan. 29
WSU Spokane, SAC 345
- Student Session: 12–1 p.m.
- Faculty & Staff Session: 1–2 p.m.
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Wednesday, Jan. 30
WSU Pullman & Global Campus, CUB L60 (Butch’s Den)
- Student Session: 1–2 p.m.
- Faculty & Staff Session: 2–3 p.m.
