Campus code updates

The University of Nevada, Reno has updated its code of conduct and urged students to read the new version.

“While the fundamental aspects of the Student Code of Conduct remain the same, several changes have been made to provide clarity to promote a safe and supportive student environment,” read a message sent out to students. “We encourage all students to review the code to understand the expected standards of behavior.”

The changes may have been prompted in part by recent friction with Greek organizations, since at least one change mentions fraternities and sororities.

Two years ago, the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon chose not to sign the usual annual frat/campus agreement, and last year it was accused of creating a front group, Sig Ep Club, after a series of disputes between the frat and the campus.

Last week Sigma Alpha Epsilon declined to sign the frat/campus agreement.

Disputes involving fraternities have also been accompanied by charges that UNR does not have adequate due process procedures for working out those disputes.

The new sections of the code of conduct deal with these topics:

1. Authority: Updated to clarify the ability for the conduct process to continue if a student withdraws after a code violation process has begun.

2. Hearing Board Process: Modified to simplify and clarify the hearing board process. There is now one hearing board with an established recruitment process, script and procedure. This allows for more clarity and security in the appeal process.

3. Title IX (a federal civil rights law outlawing discrimination based on sex in higher education): Address a need to increase adherence to Title IX requirements. Changes were made to the definition of prohibited conduct. Additionally, the Code was updated to address the time requirements for the conduct process.

4. Hazing: In light of events of fall 2012 involving hazing in a fraternity/sorority organization, the definition of hazing was updated to clarify and include both physical and mental/psychological forms of hazing.

5. Harm to Self: Federal law necessitated requiring a student be removed only if the student is a direct threat to others, not if the student is considered a threat for harming him/herself.

One additional clause makes a technical language change. The code of conduct can be read at www.unr.edu/student-conduct/policies/student-code-of-conduct.