Yes, you heard me right. You can submit a comment to the authorities at Cornell University about their new code of conduct, which is Ithaca’s own little version of the Patriot Act. The rationale behind this “open” revision process is outlined in the Krause Report Memo:

Since the Campus Code of Conduct and related disciplinary processes affect all members of the Ithaca campus, it is important that there be opportunities for members of the university community to comment on the proposed changes. For that reason, I ask that you read these materials with great care and be prepared to join President-elect David Skorton and others, in the fall, in discussing the recommended changes before The Board of Trustees is asked to take any action regarding them.

Luckily for us busy alumni bloggers, they provide a summary of major changes, which I will trust for now:

• The Office of Student affairs will lose its independence from the university administration
• Off campus “misconduct” can now be considered directly by the Office of Student Affairs
• Evidence must be a “Preponderance (more likely than not)” rather than “Clear and convincing”
• Accused loses the right to remain silent; compelled to cooperate with the Office of Student Discipline
• Accused loses the right to appeal a decision

I am including this reworked Cornell University logo so that it’s clear that I think these Code of Conduct changes enable a police-state controlled by the current administration.

This should be a bigger deal that it is. The changes implement a “guilty until proven innocent” judicial ideology, tie Cornell’s judicial branch directly to its internal management, allow consideration of “off campus character” in determining on-campus justice, and force the accused to testify against himself. All the proposed Krause changes need to be entirely perfect is the following change:

Before: The Cornell University campus is policed by the CUPD.

After: The Cornell University will be patrolled by heavily armed men wearing black coats, body armor, dark glasses, and earpieces. Students found violating the code of conduct will be discretely “dealt with” efficiently so as not to pose further threat the Cornell community.

One Response to “Cornell University Requests Feedback on Code of Conduct Changes”

1. Kevin says:

   12/11/2006 at 8:00 pm

   Ah, the lovely Judicial Administrator, how I well remember my one unpleasant encounter with Barbara Krause. I was summoned to the office of JA over a case that did NOT even involve me, and the alleged victim had no knowledge about it. I had been accused not by the alleged victim, but by JA Krause herself.

   It seems my dorm neighbor was a very paranoid girl who supposedly had a history of bad encounters with men. My poor choice to befriend this girl had only lasted until I realized how emotionally unstable she was. Then, months later, the summons to the JA was to find out if I had somehow acosted this girl as, apparently, the girl mentioned my name for some reason when making a complaint about some other alleged incident(s).

   To be sure, I was being singled out unfairly. After the JA meeting, I was quite irate and I immediately visited the University Ombudsman and made it clear that JA Krause was on some sort of witch hunt over alleged wrongdoing that did not even involve me. The next day, I went back to the JA office and told Ms. Krause that I would not accept being railroaded nor answer any ridiculous accusations. I had no time for such nonsense.

   I refused to acknowledge any other JA communications. I also stayed the heck away from this psychotic girl. I have no idea if the University Ombudsman had stepped in, but in this case, JA Krause was totally out of line and, I hope, Ms. Krause realized that as well as I did.

   I hate to think what might happen today if these proposed changes to the code of conduct are enacted. Someone like me, wrongly accused of sexual misconduct wouldn’t stand a chance against JA Krause.

   Reply