USNH Trustees OK New Policies

Policies clarify student disciplinary cases and admittance at University System schools, and the use of student fees for legal services and reimbursement to municipalities

January 21, 2004 - Durham - After several months of discussion and assessment The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees has approved two policies dealing with several student-related issues.

The first policy change applies student disciplinary action across all four colleges and universities and is effective immediately. Students suspended at one institution may not attend another USNH institution during their suspension. Students may not attend another USNH institution while they have a disciplinary action pending at one institution. And, any student permanently expelled from one institution may not attend another USNH institution for a period of two years.

USNH Chancellor Stephen J. Reno said that "This policy formalizes many current practices at our various Admissions Offices. It also clearly reinforces the conviction of both Trustees and Administration that every student must accept full responsibility for his or her actions. That means that you cannot behave irresponsibly at one school and simply transfer to another to avoid the consequences."

The second policy change involves uses of student fees. Changes adopted by the Board of Trustees mandate that no student fees will be used for the purpose of engaging legal representation in any way relating to a criminal matter. The change will be effective July 1, 2004 . This change more closely reflects the original expectation of on-campus student legal services and referral including the Legal Assistance Office at UNH. Mark Rubinstein, Vice President for Student and Academic Services at UNH said "The student fee may still be used to engage legal representation for matters other than criminal cases, such as mediating student disputes with landlords and providing advice on civil matters."

Neither Plymouth State University nor Keene State College provide legal services or contract for legal representation on behalf of students. When students have questions about legal matters, both campuses have brochures available that refer students to public legal service agencies. In addition the Board of Trustees authorized the Presidents of each system campus to use student fee reserves to reimburse local towns for expenses they incur during and following a student disturbance. This policy change is effective immediately and is understood to be retroactive. In fact, a review of existing financial policies confirmsthat the Presidents of the campuses already had this authority. The policy "change" simply makes this point explicit in the context of student disturbances."I fully support the policy changes unanimously approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees related to student disciplinary actions and the expenditure of student fees by USNH system institutions," said UNH President Ann Weaver Hart. "The trustees worked closely with the campuses and the USNH Presidents' Council in the drafting of the policies, which have been under discussion since late last fall. They provide system-wide support for expectations that students in New Hampshire's public colleges and universities should respect and support the communities in which they live and the laws of the state of New Hampshire."

These policy changes are among a series of steps that the Board has considered in response to the events of the past year. Other measures are being considered by local communities and the New Hampshire Legislature that have the potential to affect University System campuses and students attending UNH, Plymouth State University and Keene State College.

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