Marietta College Campus Police Takes Heat From Locals

Apparently, the Marietta Times has been really busy writing about the college the past couple days.  And me being busy all weekend prevented me from reporting on it.  Until now.

The Times did a special expose on the Marietta College Campus Police, or CPS as they’re known by on campus.  Now yes, the college has a full-fledged police department.  They have arrest powers, and are allowed to use tasers, tear-gas, pepper spray, and other non-lethal methods to take down people with.  They can investigate crimes and hand off cases to the Marietta Municipal Court for processing and such.  And yes, they can request aid from Marietta Police and Fire/EMS if needed.

The 6 member force operates its own radio frequencies, two police cars with sirens and light arrays, and one golf cart.

But is it too much, or too little?

Today starts a series of posts regarding the quality of our CPS.  I start today dealing with what exactly the Creed is, the Judicial Process the college uses, and possible fines and other consequences.  Tomorrow will focus on the Time’s comparison of Campus Police/Security at various colleges, and Wednesday will focus on whether CPS should be armed with guns/live ammo.

The first article that the Times discusses the arrest statistics that the college is required to maintain and inform the public of.  Going further, it also reports the number of cases that go to Marietta Municipal Court.

Commentators to the article think that by Marietta College keeping most arrests and citations on campus, students are getting a slap on the wrist.  They feel that students should get a criminal record for any violations they may be arrested for on campus.  But, I like to think of our own judicial process as being not only fair and just, but also powerful enough to make students think twice about doing some things.

Now, this is where I’d like to discuss the College Creed, the document that most people do not know about that governs the college.  Offenses that are considered minor in nature are reported as Creed Violations.  You can be cited to the Creed for violating any of the following…

A. Preamble

Marietta College recognizes the duality of human beings, as individuals and social beings. In its day-to-day operations it attempts to foster an atmosphere conducive to personal, social, and intellectual growth. It is the belief of the College that growth in these areas is interdependent. Growth is facilitated by personal freedom. As a community, it is the responsibility of the College to promote that freedom. By choosing to become a member of the community the individual accepts the responsibility of ensuring the College is unhindered in its efforts to fulfill its obligation. Central to this individual responsibility is recognition of the personal freedom to which each member of the community is entitled. The objectives of the College are best achieved when energy and resources are not consumed by issues such as discipline. To avoid such difficulties, the College expects its individual members to exercise self-discipline in their associations with others and their activities within the community.

B. Personal Integrity and Self-Respect

The College has as its primary goal the maintenance of an educational community. The actions of individuals, grounded in self-respect and performed with integrity, form the basis for this community. Respect of self is evidenced in actions which protect the integrity of mind and body. Avoidance of morally and physically corrupting actions, including dishonesty and substance abuse, is expected of each member of the community.

C. Respect for the Rights and Concerns of Others

The College believes that among its primary goals are the personal, social, and intellectual growth of members of the community. It is expected that the actions of the students will reflect a personal investment in and commitment to the achievement of these goals. In support of these expectations the College provides education, leadership, and counseling.

D. Respect for the Functioning and the Property of the College

It is expected that all students will conduct themselves in a manner which fulfills the purpose of the College. Unreasonable interference with students, faculty, or staff in the performance of their studies or duties, or the abuse of an individual or College property is unacceptable.

(Taken from Marietta College Student Handbook)

If you’re cited to the Creed, you enter the college’s Judicial System, where you have the right to an advisor (campus faculty or staff member), the right to a hearing and decision from one of the boards, and the right to appeal the decision that is rendered from the board you go in front of.  The offender can choose to appear before the Student Conduct Board or have an Administrative Hearing.  What’s the difference?

A. Administrative Hearing Option

The Administrative Hearing Option (AHO) is intended to handle most cases in which students plead “in violation” or “no contest” to the Marietta College Student Creed. On rare occasions, a student who pleads “not in violation” may also choose an Administrative Hearing. However, this option may be unavailable in serious cases, as noted above. The Student Conduct Officer (SCO) or Residence Hall Directors (RD) generally conduct Administrative Hearings under the following conditions: First and Second Offense—RD; Third Offense and thereafter—SCO The SCO will refer cases to the appropriate administrator based on the number and severity of the accused’s prior offenses.

*Cases that require special consideration (including, but not limited to, cases involving multiple respondents, damaging in excess of $100, time card fraud and some cases of academic dishonesty) may be handled in the AHO by the SCO.

B. Marietta Student Conduct Board

The Student Conduct Board (SCB), composed of faculty, students, and administrators, is vested with the responsibility of resolving matters related to alleged violations of the Marietta College Student Creed if the accused does not elect an Administrative Hearing. SCB functions as the conscience of the Marietta College Community when determining whether a violation of the Creed has occurred and the sanction which is appropriate for any violation SCB finds. Board Membership is to be for two consecutive academic years. Each member of the Student Conduct Board shall bear equal responsibility for service at the call of the Chairperson. A quorum consists of five members with at least one representative from each of the three constituencies. The constituencies are as follows:

Student Members: Eleven voting student members shall be appointed by the Vice President of Student Senate and approved by Senate. Four students will hear a particular case. Student Senate shall keep in mind a balance of gender, race, athletes, non-athletes, Greeks, and non-Greek students as appointments are made;

Faculty Members: Five faculty members shall be appointed by the Chairperson of Faculty Council. Two faculty members will hear a particular case.

Administrative Members: Three members of the administration shall be appointed by the President’s staff. One administrator will hear a particular case.

(Taken from Marietta College Student Handbook)

Either way, if found to be “In-Violation,”  the following penalties can be doled out.

• Work penalty—gratis work on the campus or in the community;

• Restitution—reimbursement for defacement, damages to, or theft of property or payment of medical bills;

• Fine $25-$500;

• Conduct probation—probation does not involve loss of privileges, but is recorded in the student’s file. Additional violations during conduct probation could result in additional sanctions up to and including expulsion.

• Restrictive Probation—such probation appears in the student file. The restrictive probation period may range from one semester to no more than two consecutive semesters. This sanction involves the loss of privileges. Any individual placed on restrictive probation may not hold office in College chartered or sponsored organizations and committees, nor may he/she represent the College in such official activities as athletics, music, or dramatics. If a student is found guilty of a subsequent violation of the Creed while under restrictive probation, the student may be suspended or expelled from the College;

• Removal from College Housing—students may be required to leave College housing either for a serious offense or repeated violations of the Creed. If a student is removed from College housing, normally he/she will be required to pay full-semester room fee to the College. Students violating this sanction may also be subject to suspension. This sanction may be levied in addition to any other sanction.

• Suspension—separation from the College for one or two semesters with the right to apply for readmission at the end of the suspension period. Students receiving this sanction will receive the “WF” grade for the semester for which he/she receives the sanction. Upon receipt of notification, the student will be given 24 hours to vacate the residence halls unless an extension is granted by the Dean of Students.

• Expulsion—separation from the College with no provision to return. Students receiving this sanction will receive the “WF” grade for the semester for which he/she receives the sanction. Upon receipt of notification, the student will be given 24 hours to vacate the residence halls unless an extension is granted by the Dean of Students.

• Organizations and Groups—disciplinary action may include, but may not be limited to, loss of permission to hold future social events, loss of group housing privileges, probation, suspension, or expulsion.

(Taken from Marietta College Student Handbook)

There are two violations that deviate from the above process:  Academic Dishonesty and Alcohol Violations.

For Academic Dishonesty, there is another whole process to be followed that is similar, yet different from the Student Conduct Board.  But that doesn’t relate to CPS and the College’s Judicial System.

VIolations of alcohol policy include underage drinking, possession of more than six full 12 oz. cans or bottles of beer and 6 empty cans or bottles, possession of liquor of any amount, possession of wine in more than one 750 mL bottle, possession of alcohol/drug paraphernalia, playing a drinking game or possessing materials for a drinking game, drinking in public areas, being drunk/under the influence in common areas, and providing alcohol to minors.

Violations are ticketed and are appealable, but the punishment for a violation is standardized.  The first violation is typically a $100-$200 fine and requires 10-50 hours of work for the college.  Repeat offenders will see fines jump to $200-$300, work hours increase to 15-100 hours, notification of parents, and possible mandatory alcohol education courses and counseling/follow-up checks.  Restrictive Probation is an option at this point also, which limits involvement in campus activities and organizations.  Three time offenders have the possibility of $300-$500 fines, 30-150 hours of college work, alcohol assessment and treatment, removal from college housing, parental notification, suspension, or expulsion from the college.

Those are all minimums, also, so they can be even higher if deemed appropriate.  And also, if you’re sick from alcohol poisoning, the college will not ticket you, or the person that helps you, to Good Samaritan laws.