Student Organizations Legal and Ethical Guide by Kevin Reid https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1 en-us 2020-09-28 03:03:20 UTC 2026-03-19 17:29:36 UTC hello@padlet.com kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783190842 My name is Kevin Reid and I am currently pursuing the completion of my Masters degree in Student Development and Leadership in Higher Education. I have worked in the Student Life Department at Angelo State for 4 years now with 2 of those years spent as the Graduate Assistant for Community Service. Throughout my time spent working in higher education I have had the honor of being mentored by several outstanding professionals who have inspired me to go after a role within this career field. My perspective on education is focused on the beneficiary characteristics of both sides of the spectrum including faculty/staff and the student. The importance of student involvement in student organizations and the development that is experienced concurrently is my subject of choice throughout this assignment. I chose this topic because of my personal experiences as a member and leader within student organizations but also because of the role I plan on withholding post completion of my degree. I plan on working alongside diverse student organizations highlighting sport, religion, special interests and more as a coordinator or director on a college or university campus.]]> 2020-09-28 03:10:36 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783190842 kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783260595 For this assignment I had the pleasure of interviewing one of the most respected and passionate educational professionals in my community,  Erin Whitford. She serves as the Division Co-Chair of Arts and Sciences, Assistant Professor of English, Blackboard eTrainer, and the Advisor for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Baptist Student Ministry at Howard College in San Angelo, Texas. Throughout our interview, we discussed the significance of being an education professional and the role that accompanies it. I chose to interview her because of positions she holds especially as an advisor for for two student organizations. She spoke about how she believes that student involvement in clubs or organizations should be valued and taken advantage of. She stated that  student engagement in student organizations is important to education because of the values and skills learned within it. She also said that the amount of growth she sees from students in organizations compared to a few who are not is substantial. Students are surrounded with peers with similar interests who are in an organizations to highlight those interests. As educators we have the role of supporting students and sharpening their tools and skills  to build their platform they can be successful in and involvement in student organizations provides more space for their platform to be constructed. Student organizations are impacting the education world because students are in need of a supportive environment and organizations provide that. Not only so but it also provides a stress relief from the added on pressure academics bring nowadays. Student organizations provide networking opportunities, chances to serve the community through service, and also make a stamp on their campus. Erin showed me a few great practices to install in relation to student organizations. The first being to challenge the students in ways that will result in growth. An example could be challenging their creativity in ways to advertise, recruit, or inspire positive change. The second practice being to underline the benefits of collaborating with and amongst other student organizations. This allows students to connect with other students and instills growth in their communication skills. Another practice in education she provided was to encourage involvement on and off campus. Exuding pride at your college or university with your organization shows spirit and strengthens your overall higher education impression. Also student involvement in the surrounding community can create many positive experiences through service. Even with many great aspects of student involvement with organizations, issues may still arise. Erin believes and I agree that student programming alongside student organizations is linked to student retention rates within a college or university. Some of the highlights of being a apart of a student organization is gathering together for activities. During a global pandemic influenced by COVID-19 makes it more and more difficult for students to gather and participate in a student organization, This where the current emerging issues are present. Recruitment for student organizations are decreasing because of the increasing guidelines related to student gathering. As educators we must collaborate with students and come up with possible outcomes that abide within the current restrictions to still have student involvement. I asked Erin of ways she has assisted her organizations during this time to where she provided a few great ideas. She has encouraged virtual programs fir her students that involved writing letters and sending in gifts to kids in hospitals and adults in retirement communities. She has found ways to meet with students online or in a classroom by taking and installing the right precautions of social distancing, mask wearing, and proper sanitizing techniques. She has also gained members in the organizations she advises because of her efforts guided by her passion for student organizations. One thing Erin mentioned in the process of this interview was how much influence student organizations have on and off campus. She said this was brought to her attentions during the first few weeks of students returning to campus after the brief break due to COVID-19 when it came to enforcing the new rules and regulations for safety protocol. I believe that it is one thing to have a faculty or staff member to tell you what to do but when it comes from a peer within your organization, you are more than likely going to abide.

References
Whitford, E. (2020, September 3). Personal interview [Personal interview].


]]> 2020-09-28 04:01:35 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783260595 kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783786344 This study focused on the learning experience of students within their student organizations throughout their time at Texas A&M University. It reflected on over 1,000 students from 85 student organizations. This was done to highlight the benefits of student involvement within an educational institution and the value towards the college or university student organizations can bring.

References
Cox, K. (2012). Reflections on student involvement: a comprehensive co-curricular approach. National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. Retrieved from https://naspa.org/course/reflections-on-student-involvement-a-comprehensive-co-curricular-approach]]> 2020-09-28 08:42:10 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783786344 kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783848231
  • This article follows a few colleges in Texas and how student organizations are handling the new guidelines and restrictions when it comes to gathering.
  • Baylor University and Texas A&M University have made strides cracking down on off campus student gatherings.
  • Many anonymous reports have been made of student organizations mainly Greek life oriented groups have been hosting recruitment events and parties.
  • Universities all over Texas are struggling to figure out the proper steps to enforce and encourage students to abide by state mandated protocol not just on campus but off campus as well. Threatening students with a 100% online course schooling has been the main voice of urgency.
  • Universities in Texas have witnessed spikes in the last few weeks and administrators are collaborating with students, city officials, law enforcement, and community members.

    • References
    Harper, K. (2020, September 08). Texas universities blame off-campus parties for rising COVID-19 cases, but few are disciplining students. The Texas Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.texastribune.org/2020/09/08/texas-universities-coronavirus-parties/
    ]]>     2020-09-28 09:20:41 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783848231     kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783878892
  • This article covers how 3 colleges formed an initiative to encourage students to abide by protocols and wear their masks, socially distance, and sanitize regularly.
  • Educational institutions have formed a group of student leaders from student organizations to help enforce guidelines and restrictions.
  • At the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, administrators have even hired student leaders to enforce COVID-19 regulations because they believe peer to peer encouragement is more beneficial and will lead to more students acting with the new policies in mind.
  • Students who do not comply with the rule regulations can be reported on a hotline and if that reported student receives more than one complaint he or she may face severe consequences from the college or university.
  • The University of Miami in Florida has emphasized that they are educating and not enforcing. Students there as well as schools across the nation do not want to shut down again and go back to all online courses. They believe with the team of ambassadors formed from student organizations, that things will be more controlled on campus.

    • References
    Berg, A. (2020, September 01). How 3 colleges are using student 'ambassadors' to enforce social distancing. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-3-colleges-are-using-student-ambassadors-to-enforce-social-distancing
    ]]>     2020-09-28 09:43:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783878892     Christian Legal Society v. Martinez 561 US 661 (2010) kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783929324
  • The Christian Legal Society Chapter of the University of California sued their university for violating it's First Amendment rights.
  • State Law says that all student organizations must allow the participation of all students and universities or colleges could withhold funds if they didn't comply.
  • This organization also requires it's members to believe in the word of God and apply it to their life.
  • The case was dismissed.

    • Source of Law: Judicial Law

    Reference
    Christian Legal Society Chapter v. Martinez. (2010). Oyez. Retrieved from https://www.oyez.org/cases/2009/08-1371
    ]]>     2020-09-28 10:21:23 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783929324     Texas Education Code § 51.9315 Protected Expression on Campus kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783986945
  • Protects the expressive rights of a registered student organization.
  • Recognizes student organization's freedom of speech and right to assembly within an educational institutions
  • Student organizations also have access to to funds through application.

    • Source of Law: Statutory Law


    Reference
    Tex. Educ. Code § 51.9315

    ]]>     2020-09-28 11:05:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/783986945     Texas Education Code § 51.9361 Risk Management Programs for Members and Advisors of Student Organizations kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784019859
  • Requires all registered student organization members and their organization advisor to complete risk management training.
  • Must be knowledgeable of the following topics in order to complete training:
    • use of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs and the possible penalties of use, hazing, sexual abuse and harassment, fire and other safety issues, behavior at parties and other events held by a student organization, issues regarding persons with disabilities, and more.

    • Source of Law: Statutory Law

    Reference
     Tex. Educ. Code § 51.9361
    ]]>     2020-09-28 11:28:31 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784019859     Texas Education Code § 25.0342 Transfer Of Students Who Are Victims Of Or Have Engaged In Bullying kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784126456
  • A student who is the victim of bullying, sexual assault, or hazing can be transferred to another campus or have their schedule changed.

    • Source of Law: Statutory Law

    Reference

    Tex. Educ. Code § 25.0342



    ]]>     2020-09-28 12:28:59 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784126456     kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784202404 This local policy was selected because of the relevancy it brings towards the topic of student organizations. In the interview portion found in slide #2, one of the conversations had was about current issues in relation to student organizations gathering. This policy has the requirements needed in order to have a successful council.

    Reference
    Angelo State University. 2020. TTU system campus event policy. San Angelo, Texas.]]>     2020-09-28 12:57:35 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784202404     kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784280655 According to the National Education Association Code of Ethics Principle I.8, an education professional cannot reveal or disclose any information from the student or students gained through professional interaction unless required by law. When and how student information can released can be found under the FERPA. It is usually in cases if a student or students safety or health is in jeopardy.

    Reference
    The National Education Association (2020). NEA code of ethics for education professionals. Retrieved from https://www.nea.org/resource-library/code-ethics#:~:text=The%20Code%20of%20Ethics%20of,by%20which%20to%20judge%20conduct.

    The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99)]]>     2020-09-28 13:20:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784280655     kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784403094 In this journal Kim Haines writes on her studies and analysis of student involvement in student organizations. She searches and surveys students on why they joined student organizations and the benefits or non benefits that were gained through their engagement. One piece from many she discovered was the core sense of belonging we seek and can be found within a student organization.
    Reference
    Haines, K. (2019). Student perspectives on joining student organizations. The Bulletin. Retrieved from https://www.acui.org/resources/bulletin/bulletin-detail/2019/07/02/student-perspectives-on-joining-student-organizations]]>     2020-09-28 13:54:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784403094     kreid31 https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784439125
  • Understanding the relationship between student organizations and student engagement on and off campus
  • Utilize the ability of student organizations to develop skills 
  • Understand student organization's role in developing student leaders
  •  Maintain effective classroom management and a positive work environment by establishing productive conditions
  • Interact in the classroom with the mindset of a student's coach or mentor
  • Provide a combination of big group and small group instruction
  • Plan and train students in conflict identification and conflict resolution
  • Educate yourself on current issues within your field
  • Educate yourself with local policies 
  • Know the importance of balance between being an educator and your personal life

    • ]]>     2020-09-28 14:04:42 UTC https://padlet.com/kreid31/ghzc6d6tpmcp1bd1/wish/784439125