In many educational settings, there are people who hold the responsibility for student discipline. I have the honor of having worked in a few different settings where I had some of that responsibility. Of course, being a Residence Hall Director at a large public university, a student conduct coordinator at a small college, a director of summer programs for high school students, and a Dean of Students at a boarding school (and other roles) have given me different views of, and authority over, student discipline. However, there are a lot of parallels in terms of challenges faced.
One of the many challenges that I have seen and heard from other student conduct people is about the pressure to make exceptions to the way discipline is done and/or to the consequences given. When are exceptions appropriate? Are they ever? How does standard procedure fit with educational discretion? What about due process?
If exceptions are needed or wanted, consider making a policy change. If you are making an exception, is it one you can write into policy? If not, why not? Perhaps you should not make the exception if your organization is uncomfortable writing it into the student code of conduct?
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Published by mcolpitts
Dr. Matthew W. Colpitts is currently the Head of School and President of Ventures Academy, a unique high school for students who want to create startup businesses while in school! He is also currently on the Board of Directors for Studio East, a non-profit for youth theatre and performing arts education.
Previously, he served at Léman Manhattan Preparatory School as the Director of Residence Life & Campus Safety where he lead the educational, operational, and student support aspects of the boarding program and security for the whole school. Matt has been an educator, administrator, and leader in higher education and K12 independent schools for over 10 years serving in the areas of residence life, university housing, student conduct, campus safety and security, emergency management, enrollment management, and student affairs. Matt has also served in educator-leader roles at diverse educational institutions including Clark University, Landmark College, Southern Oregon University, Utah State University, and Interlochen Center of the Arts. He also does independent risk and safety management consulting.
A first-generation college student from rural Maine, Matt is a proud graduate of Clark University in Worcester, MA with a B.A. in English and Philosophy. He holds an Ed.D. from Fielding Graduate University where he researched emergency management in educational institutions. Outside of school, Matt enjoys reading, traveling, and learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
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