UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

FACULTY SENATE

Senate Bill #02-03--33

Constitution, By-Laws and University Manual Committee Report:

Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee

On April 10, 2003 and May 8, 2003, the Faculty Senate approved the following recommendations of the Constitution, By-Laws and University Committee to eliminate the Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee of the Faculty Senate, rename the Social Regulations Committee, modify its charge and membership and clearly indicate by placement in the revised Chapter 5 of the University Manual that it is a committee under the purview of the Faculty Senate.

A. That the Faculty Senate approve the following change in the name, charge to and membership of the Social Regulations Committee:

5.65.10 The Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee shall review all student non-academic regulations at the request of the President, the Vice President for Student Affairs or any other appropriate authority or body; review regularly all student non-academic regulations and policies for publication in the student handbook; recommend modifications as deemed appropriate by means of action through the Student Senate, Faculty Senate, or administration; and serve as an advisory board when called upon by the President or the Vice President for Student Affairs.

5.65.11 This committee shall also periodically review policies related to student discipline, the procedures and operation of the judicial system, and the composition of judicial boards. The committee shall consider proposals for changes in the judicial system recommended by the Office of Student Life or other members of the University Community, and shall recommend appropriate modifications to the Faculty Senate. The committee is precluded from involvement in any aspect of individual judicial cases or in the daily operation of the Office of Student Life.

5.65.12 The membership shall comprise the Dean of Students as chairperson, two faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate, two members from the Division of Student Affairs and four undergraduate students appointed by the Student Senate and one graduate student appointed by the Graduate Student Association. For the review of policies related to student discipline and the judicial system, two additional faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate shall augment the membership.

5.65.13 The committee shall report to the Vice President for Student Affairs on issues related to social regulations and to both the Vice President and the Faculty Senate on policies related to student discipline.

*B. That the Faculty Senate approve the elimination of the following sections of the By Laws of the Faculty Senate:

4.35 The Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee. This committee shall periodically review policies related to student discipline, the procedures and operation of the judicial system and the composition of judicial boards. The committee will consider proposals for changes in the judicial system recommended by the Office of Student Life or other members of the University Community and shall recommend modifications as they deem appropriate to the Faculty Senate. The committee is precluded from involvement in any aspect of individual judicial cases or in the daily operation of the Office of Student Life.

4.36 This committee shall also review recommendations for changes in the student handbook regarding discipline brought to them by the Office of Student Life or the Social Regulations Committee. If, in the committee's judgment, the proposed change is substantive or requires a change in the UNIVERSITY MANUAL, they shall forward their recommendations to the Faculty Senate for action. If, on the other hand, the proposed change is deemed to be minor or editorial in nature, the committee may approve or disapprove the change and inform the Office of Student Life of their decision.

4.37 The Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee will convene when the Faculty Senate receives a request to review policies related to student discipline and the judicial system. The Committee will be composed of four faculty, one of whom will serve as Chair, two undergraduates, one graduate student and the Director of Student Life (ex officio).

*Because By-Laws changes may not be approved at the meeting they are introduced, the motion to eliminate sections 4.35-4.37 of the Faculty Senate By-Laws was made on April 10, 2003 and approved on May 8, 2003. This change required approval by a 2/3 majority of Senators voting.