Best Practice

Moving forward with our discussion COVID had become a topic of interest due to the shift of moving online for training. A contingency plan was acquired by the university and guidelines for events in which all planning events were on hold. This was an issue that the coordinator worried about because how would students engage with each other and build that sense of belonging to their members. With the contingency plan reviewed each week and their brainstorming on the COVID topic for RSO’s they have created a Health and Safety Guidelines Training for RSO events (including the CDC practices). This is an issue for all colleges and universities because with this type of training it does not ensure that students will abide by them on or off-campus. The university officials will have to see if it impacts our environment after the training is implemented across campus. Although the school year has changed in how we function on campus the university is providing the best available options for student organizations (E. Banda, personal communication, September 24, 2020).

Emily Banda

Student Programs & Activities Programs Coordinator, Registered Student Organizations

Angelo State University 

 

Link: https://www.educationdive.com/spons/d2l-is-committed-to-ensuring-the-continuity-of-learning-through-this-challe/575153/

Link: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/09/18/colleges-look-lower-risk-ways-students-socialize

Texas Education Code § 51.9361

Link: https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/education-code/educ-sect-51-9361.html

            The Texas Education Code § 51.9361 demonstrates Risk Management Programs for Members and Advisors of Student Organizations. Risk Management Training is done at least once each academic school year both the student (president) and advisors must attend to comply with their university policy. The student and advisor are needed to attend under this section of the policy and to identify what type of organization they represent to determine the benefits of risk management. Identifying the type of organization, it helps the university understand the needs of that organization. Furthermore, if the student or advisor does not attend the risk management training, they are not an active organization on campus until training is done and complaint to the university policy. After taking the risk management training, the Advisor must make sure the President or an officer of the organizations give the training to all members. The risk management topics consist of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs, hazing, title ix, first and other safety issues, travel, behavior at functions, and risk management adoption policy for student organizations. Next, all mandatory paperwork and training have been properly documented officials will gather documentation for records.

20 U.S. Code § 1092 (f)
Link: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/1092 

            The Jeanne Clery Act is a reminder to all universities to present risk management training. This incident occurred when a student was harmful hurt, beat, cut, raped, sodomized, and strangled in her room on school property. The school failed to inform its students on campus safety known as a crime (any type of crime). Due to this incident, her parents wanted justice and campaigned for legislative reform then turned into federal law. This Act is created for students on campus and student organizations that travel with university federal funding. Anywhere the organization travels (destination) and the hotel they are staying has to be reported to the university polices in case of any crime in the surrounding areas. The information given to the campus police protects each student traveling, alerts crime in case of an emergency, or sudden death (traveling). With this act in place students and parents have the university and this act to protect them.

20 U.S.C § 1232g, 34 CFR Part 99
Link: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/pdf/ferparegs.pdf

            The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects student’s confidentiality with school records and student organizations conducting studies on the behalf of the university or accrediting organization. This means student organizations that collect information from potential members are to use that information appropriately and not give this information to others that are not a part of the official organizational board. As for the organization conducting studies of the behalf of the organization, they must get approval for promoting the school name. It is important for the organization to use confidentiality rules with all members and seek approval or guidance when using or affiliating the university name.

Texas Education Code § 51.9315

Link: https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/education-code/educ-sect-51-9315.html

            The Texas Education Code § 51.9315 is to protect expression on campus. Student organizations come from different perspectives and this code protects them to express what they believe in. Organizations are allowed to use meeting/conference rooms, networking communication with the university, and expressive activities. Which is protected by the First Amendment. All student organizations and students must be enrolled in the institution and abide by the risk management rules and policy. With this code, students are protected to express themselves through their organization speech or activities with the approval of safety measures in place. The institution is allowed to set certain areas outdoors as public forums and within those areas it will remain not unlawful to protects student rights.

 

Kent State University is approaching student organizations with policy register. Student organizations must be registered and approved by the university. The university follows three detailed areas policy, procedure and violation of rule or procedure. With each area there are other rules and regulations students must abide by. As well as any new state or federal and regulations.

Guiding Principles of CAS Member Associations [PDF file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://standards.cas.edu/getpdf.cfm?PDF=D67207DB-A711-46AA-86038F4A48ACF434

The Principle I- Autonomy connects to student organizations based on supporting and empowering individuals in their beliefs, learning from others (open-mindedness), being accountable as young professionals, and engaging in professional development. With these areas of interest student organizations are able to connect to peers and have common ground in what they are supporting.

This book can help professionals understand how student organizations work on the inside of the organization. It will provide you with what student organizations are thinking such as how to plan an event, improve membership, making connections, and engaging in activities. Furthermore, provides leadership building, personal and professional structure, identify strengths, weaknesses, and improvement skills student organizations can work on with understanding their needs. It is important to understand what the organizations are wanting to accomplish for themselves, their members, and how to reach those goals.

2.       With COVID-19 in the brink of everyone’s watch list to see what is going to happen, it is better to create a contingency plan for your department or university to have reassurance that you are keeping the campus community safe as much as possible.

3.      Look at other recourses virtually to enhance your professional career to move forward in our unique situation of COVID.

4.      If you are not if this will work create a plan to created involvement with students online or work with your university to think outside the box because students want human interaction.

5.      Original sources of law intertwine with other sources or policy to protect student’s well-being. Let students become aware of their rights and be an advocate to get their voices heard.

6.       Ethical Principles are important to students’ rights and your judgement as well because it will guide you to the best decision you can make in difficult situation.