Introduction to Judicial Affairs
The Judicial Affairs Program, administered through the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB), employs a philosophy that is student-centered. A student-centered approach allows for individual student concerns to be addressed in a resourceful way. The "one size fits all" does not apply according to our model. Our model for administering the student discipline system acknowledges that a student’s actions and manners of behavior and are influenced by the following:
-
Campus climate: Climate in this instance consists of interactions between students, faculty, staff and administrators. The interactions between these individuals and groups influence one another in such a way that these interactions produce varying perceptions and experiences that may define the campus climate in different ways for different individuals. We realize that student’s respond differently to aspects of campus climate.
-
Campus culture: Culture is comprised of a variety of shared values, perspectives and beliefs. The culture of our campus allows for and facilitates diversity in these values, perspectives and beliefs. The UMB Code of Student Conduct provides a framework for appropriate expressions of values, both individual and collective.
-
Student characteristics: The diversity of our campus community is an asset to the University. Our students are diverse in ways such as, but not limited to, age, race/ethnicity, language, gender, sexuality, geography, ability, religion, socioeconomic status and work experience. Realizing this diversity keeps a focus on the individual student.
-
Attitudinal/Behavioral Issues: Attitudes and behaviors of other students, faculty, staff and others affect an individual student’s response to certain issues. As mentioned previously, the UMB Code of Student Conduct provides a framework for all students of what are appropriate manners of expression of attitudes and behaviors.
Triumvirate Approach to Administering the UMB Code of Student Conduct
The administration of the UMB Code of Student Conduct is very deliberate considering our philosophy of being a student-centered judicial affairs program. We consider three (3) elements when adjudicating a student issue or an alleged violation of the UMB Code of Student Conduct. These elements are:
-
Intervention: In addressing a student situation, we attempt to understand what may have precipitated the alleged misconduct. By understanding the root of the problem, we may be able to provide institutional resources (or external resources if necessary) to serve the student in a more appropriate manner.
-
Education: We believe that with every situation there is a learning experience. As educators, we attempt to identify that experience and use it as a way to assist a person in understanding how to negotiate some of life’s more complex situations.
-
Accountability: No matter what the situation or incident, a person must be held accountable for his or her own actions. As a result of those actions, there are consequences.