Judicial Affairs

St. Mary’s Community:

I have several important items to share with you in the world of judicial affairs at SMCM.

Welcome to the new Judicial Affairs Officer

I am pleased to introduce to you Regina Curran, our new judicial affairs officer. Regina joins us from Coastal Carolina University, where she has served as Coordinator of Student Conduct and Off Campus Services. She earned a Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law, with a certification in mediation. Her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology comes from Texas A&M University. Regina brings strong experience working with students in student conduct, leadership development, and multicultural affairs. She also brings both campus and community experience on issues of sexual misconduct and alcohol and other drugs. Help me welcome Regina Curran to St. Mary’s College on September 1, 2011.

A couple of important initiatives out of Judicial Affairs for 2011-12

There are a couple of initiatives that Regina will be leading out of the judicial affairs office that I would like to highlight. First, two students, John Hain and Justin Rattey, lead the conversation last spring to formalize a group of students who can serve as advisors to their fellow students through the judicial process. They will be working in conjunction with Regina to conduct a selection and training process for the student judicial advisors during the fall semester. Watch for information, and if you would like to be involved, please contact Regina.

Second, Regina’s conflict mediation expertise will be put to good use as she implements a peer mediation program for SMCM. This is designed so that students have trained peers to help them work through conflicts in addition to the residence life staff and the judicial process. Our hope is that this peer mediation program will assist students in managing conflicts and encourage civility in our community. Again, watch for information and contact Regina if you would like to be involved.

Updates to To The Point, the student handbook

Note that this is the first year To The Point will be published only online.

Each year the Judicial Code Review Committee reviews changes to To the Point. The committee is comprised of the following:

• The president of the SGA or designee
• The president of the Faculty Senate or designee
• Coordinator of Student Activities and Judicial Affairs (now known as Judicial Affairs Officer)
• Dean of Students

Below is a quick summary of the most significant changes. You may find more detail about the 2011-12 changes on the Judicial Affairs website.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities in the Judicial Process

Clarified that we will make reasonable accommodations in the judicial process for students with a registered, qualifying disability.

Alcohol Policy

We highlight that it is against State law to be intoxicated in public or to be intoxicated and cause harm to oneself or others, clarify when “of age” students can possess alcohol when they live with “underage” students, and added language permitting alcoholic beverages to be served in the new campus pub.

Appeals

Expanded the right to appeal so that both respondents and complainants are eligible to appeal for the three reasons described in the handbook.

Electronic Means of Endangering Others

Added the word “electronic” to make it clear that social media and other electronic means may not be used to harass, threaten, coerce, or endanger the health, safety, or emotional well-being of oneself or others.

Evidence, Witnesses, and Advisors

To comply with the Title IX guidelines and anticipated changes to the Clery Act, we clarified that all evidence, witness statements, and names of witnesses and advisors must be submitted to the Office of Judicial Affairs 48 hours in advance.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Updated the policy to be more inclusive and comply with Title IX, including gender identity and expression.

Resident Student Policies

Because To The Point is now published only online, we are linking to the Resident Student Handbook rather than publishing the policies twice. In addition, we added the changed amplified music policy.

Sexual Misconduct Policy and Hearing Procedures

Significant changes made to both the policy and hearing procedures based on the federal Title IX guidelines published by the US Department of Education and on anticipated changes to the Clery Act.

Student Judicial Advisors

Added information about the Student Judicial Advisors throughout the judicial process.

Student Records

Added language about when judicial records for students and student organizations are destroyed.

Laura A. Bayless, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
St. Mary's College of Maryland
18952 E. Fisher Road
St. Mary's City, MD  20686-3001
labayless@smcm.edu
240.895.4208
www.smcm.edu/studentaffairs/
www.smcm.edu/emergency