Critical analysis of university conduct codes as a mechanism for remedying student sexual misbehavior

The purpose of this study was to examine university/college student conduct codes in order to determine current practices at colleges and universities with regard to disciplinary procedures for sexual misconduct on or near campuses. The purpose of this study was also to ascertain the perceptions of university judicial officers regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the student conduct code when addressing sexual misconduct issues; As an analytical, qualitative research design, this study reviewed relevant case law, law reviews, journal articles, newspaper articles, books, and law digests; Student conduct codes of certain colleges and universities were critically analyzed and compared to model student conduct codes to determine the similarities, differences and patterns found in them. An in-depth interview of the university judicial officers at the same colleges and universities was also conducted to determine their perceptions of the university judicial process regarding the implementation and application of student conduct codes to claims of sexual misconduct. Twenty-seven of thirty-two judicial officers responded to the interview; This study examined the following six questions: What procedure is utilized for adjudicating violations of student conduct code? Are there special procedures for dealing with sexual misconduct in the student conduct code? What are the strengths of the student conduct code with regard to addressing sexual misconduct at the university? What are the weaknesses of the student conduct code with regard to addressing sexual misconduct at the university? What recommendations do university judicial officers have to strengthen the university discipline procedure with regard to addressing sexual misconduct at the university? Is the university judicial system an effective mechanism for addressing sexual misconduct allegations?;This study provides data to pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of the university judicial process regarding sex crimes. This study also provides higher education judicial officers and administrators with a resource guide for reviewing their student conduct codes as a mechanism for dealing with sexual misconduct on campus; The student conduct codes and interviews of judicial officers indicated both similarities and differences between universities nationwide with regards to the adjudication of sexual misconduct. These similarities and differences were explored as were recommendations for improvement of the codes by judicial officers and recommendations for further research