All Pacific students are required to read the Student Handbook, which details the university’s regulations and the Student Conduct Process. Nevertheless, there are still violations of various policies.
According to Director of Residence Life Ryan Aiello, the most common infringements are violations of the alcohol and noise policies, followed by infractions involving marijuana.
It is in violation of university policy for students less than the age of 21 to consume alcohol, possess alcohol or be in an area where others are consuming alcohol. Consumption of alcohol is only allowed in students rooms by those who are of legal age. Students cannot drink alcohol in lounges, hallways, lobbies, outside or other public areas. It is also a violation of university policy and Oregon State law to provide alcohol to those less than 21 years old.
The possession and use of marijuana is prohibited anywhere on campus. In addition, students are not allowed to have kegs, beer bongs or drug paraphernalia.
Anyone can write and file an incident report, including CPS officers, RAs, faculty, staff, other students and visitors. After the Conduct Review Committee receives a report, they dismiss the complaint, refer it to the Peer Review Board or address it with an individual conduct hearing.
The PRB consists of seven undergraduate students and one non-voting PRB advisor. A student meets with a single hearing officer in an individual conduct hearing.
A student included in an incident report that is referred to the PRB or an individual conduct hearing will receive a notification letter in their UC box, explaining the alleged violation, and a time and location for their hearing.
Aiello wants to make it clear that just because you receive a written report, it doesn’t mean you are in trouble.
During the hearing, the PRB chairperson will read the alleged violations to the student and give them the opportunity to respond. Witnesses present at the time and location of the alleged incident may also share their account. If the PRB finds the student in violation of University policy, they determine appropriate consequences.
Common sanctions include involvement in community service projects or research relevant to the violation. Students may be required to attend an alcohol education program or other self-help services.
Aiello wants students to know he is a resource and is available to answer questions or talk about any concerns.
“We’re not cops, we’re not out to bust people,” said Aiello. Student Life’s biggest concern is safety.
With an unusually large freshman class and an increased number of transfer students, the number of violations has not risen.
Aiello said 15 to 20 incident reports in a month would be more than usual. “[The students] aren’t screwing around too much here [at Pacific],” said Aiello who has worked at various other universities.
Students may be called to a conduct hearing for off campus behavior. Because students represent the Pacific name on and off campus, the university has the right to evaluate student actions off campus, at other schools and even abroad.
Aiello said the ultimate goal is not to create anxiety or to punish people, but for students to think about their actions, because “everybody’s behavior affects everybody else.”
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