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Student Life

Addendum to the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities

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Published August 31, 2022

 

Dear University of Michigan Community: 

Welcome Home for the 2022-2023 academic year. As Wolverines, we have continued to cultivate a caring community for self and others and will continue to do so as we look forward to a year together in Ann Arbor. As we look toward the 2022-2023 academic year, it is right for us to reflect on the values we hold as individuals and the values we embrace as a community. The University values outlined in the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities are: civility, dignity, diversity, education, equality, freedom, honesty, and safety. These values stand as long-held community-defined commitments rooted in diversity, equity and inclusion and are put into practice through a restorative approach. 

 

2022 Amendments to the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities

Our community undertakes a process to revise our policy on student rights and responsibilities (the Statement) every three years. The current version of the Statement became effective on July 1, 2022 by approval of the President of the University and includes amended language initially proposed by members of the University of Michigan community. The following is a summary of the amendments to the Statement:

  1. Amendment 1: ensures further clarity that the University, through the Statement, will not discriminate against an individual on the basis of an individual’s protected status or in a way that violates the rights of a student as asserted in section II of the Policy. 
  2. Amendment 2: adds further language to the policy which prohibits intentionally providing false information to a University official in connection with a University proceeding.
  3. Amendment 3: further clarifies the scope of the policy with regard to geographic applicability and remote/online learning.
  4. Amendment 4: refined language for emergency suspension procedures to be applicable when a student’s actions pose an immediate danger to another individual regardless of their affiliation with the University. 
  5. Amendment 5: clarified that formal resolution procedures under the Statement are able to be accessed by participants remotely (virtually). 
  6. Amendment 6: revised and clarified language within the policies formal resolution procedures to include the ability of the Dean of Students to modify sanctions up to and including suspension, but not expulsion.
  7. Amendment 7: clarified that sanctions may include a restriction from specified University Housing Facilities when appropriate.
  8. Amendment 8: clarified that where an emergency suspension process is initiated by the Vice President for Student Life and upheld by a Resolution Officer, the student will be offered a hearing option within ten academic calendar days except in extraordinary circumstances (e.g.  University closure).

The Office of Student Conflict Resolution would like to thank the many dedicated faculty, staff and student community members and representatives who worked tirelessly to propose, review, refine, recommend and ultimately implement these amendments to the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities. This process has always been and remains a bright representation of our community-driven values.

 

Public Health Addendum & the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities

Beginning in 2020, our community rightly recognized that the expectations we have for each other must rise to meet the needs of the moment. Central Student Government (CSG) Executive Leadership partnered with student leaders from across campus to propose an Addendum to the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Although much has changed since 2020, the effects of public health crises are still being acutely felt in our community and across the nation and world. As we prepare for a successful start to the academic year, we recognize that change is a constant and therefore maintaining public health expectations remains important. 

The public health addendum to the Statement applies to all students at the University of Michigan, and builds upon the existing Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities for the duration of the 2022-2023 academic year. Each member of our student community is responsible to review both the Statement and this Addendum, which applies on campus, within Ann Arbor, and in online environments. 

In summary, the public health addendum is intended to connect appropriate measures of community accountability to State, County, and Local orders, ordinances, and regulations as well as University policies and protocols as they become necessary given the changing public health needs within our community. To this end, the addendum sets forth the following additional student responsibility: 

Members of the Student community are expected to comply with health and safety laws, orders, ordinances, regulations or health and safety guidance adopted by the University as it relates to public health crises, including COVID-19, where failure to do so may result in public health risk. 

For the most up-to-date public health information please refer to the Campus Blueprint FAQ page. 
 

Learn More about the Office of Student Conflict Resolution

The mission of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution is to Build Trust, Promote Justice, and Teach Peace in our community here at the University of Michigan. We accomplish this mission through both formal and informal/adaptable conflict resolution processes and services available to our community. Each of our many resolution options has a primary educational focus on learning through conflict and seeking the overall wellness and success of each member of our community. Whether concern over individual conduct or conflict, any member of the University of Michigan community (Faculty, Staff and Students) may request resolution resources and/or submit a complaint by contacting the Office of Student Conflict Resolution at (734) 936-6308, Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm, or by requesting consultation and/or services through our online form. 

The full range of resources available through the Office of Student Conflict Resolution include: 

Adaptable (Informal) Conflict Resolution Pathways:

Informal Conflict Resolution for Alcohol and Other Drugs:

Formal Conflict Resolutions through our Complaint Process: 

Conflict Resolution Education Workshops for Student Groups and Organizations:

We look forward to partnering with you to ensure our community at the University of Michigan is a safe, just, and peaceful place where all are welcome and inspired to learn. On behalf of the entire Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) team, I wish you a successful 2022-2023 academic year. Go Blue!

 

Warm Regards,

Erik S. Wessel, D.Ed.

Director, Office of Student Conflict Resolution

The University of Michigan