Board of Trustees Approves Changes to Code of Student Conduct

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 24, 2016) – Today, the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved proposed changes to UK's Code of Student Conduct. The changes to the code come as the university is continuing to invest in ‒ and improve ‒ the campus safety environment.

"We undertake a regular review of our Code of Student Conduct to improve the health, safety, and success of the University of Kentucky," said President Eli Capilouto. "The changes within – guided by feedback from students, faculty, staff, and community members – will improve the safety and climate of the campus community."

The Code of Student Conduct is regularly reviewed by the university community and vetted through the Health and Safety Committee, which is composed of faculty, staff and students, to evaluate current best practices and legal changes. The changes approved today were reviewed and researched for nearly two years through several open forums and student groups. The changes are the first to be made to the code since 2010.

“We have sought input from our entire campus community, particularly students, to ensure that our Student Code of Conduct is a strong, but fair tool to help ensure the safety of, and sense of inclusion within, our campus community,” said Angela Edwards, chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. “But it also should be a critical tool in helping us create a climate where everyone and every member of our community feels welcome and a sense of belonging.”

The board approved several key policy changes including:

• Defining the scope of the code;
• Ensuring that the code is in compliance with recent interpretations of federal and state law (the Clery Act, Title IX, etc.);
• The addition of a formal amnesty policy;
• The inclusion of UK’s affirmative consent policy; and
• The addition of a cyberbullying policy.

“Many members of the UK community have worked diligently to create a comprehensive approach to the issues that our students face on and off campus,” said Victor Hazard, interim vice president for student affairs. “These changes will help ensure the overall safety of our students and the community.”

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, 859-257-6398; blair.hoover@uky.edu