Student Conduct & ConcernsKelly Oaks, Dean of Students

Student Affairs Mission

• The Division of Student Affairs, as an integral contributor to the mission of UH Hilo, provides quality activities, programs and services that facilitate the academic success of students and cultivate their holistic development as citizens and leaders of diverse and global communities.

Dean of Student’s Role

Point of contact for student matters involving navigating the system, behavioral expectations, or issues of disruption or distress• Conduct Adjudication• Crisis Intervention & Response• Advocacy & Policy Interpretation• Intervention for Students of Concern• Missing Students & Student Death Notifications

Student Conduct Code

• Establishes behavioral expectations• Defines due process for handling violations• Identifies possible sanctions

Educational/Developmental Approach• Understand why behavior is unacceptable• Take responsibility• Learn from mistakes (and hopefully not repeat

them)

Distressed vs. Disruptive Students• Distressed Students: Students who are

experiencing emotional or psychological problems that are interfering with their ability to learn

• Disruptive Students: Students whose behavior makes teaching and learning difficult for others

Disruptive Behavior

Prevention: Establish & communication behavioral expectations – set boundaries• Respond immediately • If behavior continues, talk to student:• Explain why behavior is problematic• Remind student of any expectations/rules• Ask student explain the conduct• Listen; Refer if appropriate• Explain consequences for continued behavior• Document incident

• If behavior continues, contact Dean of Students• Emergencies: Campus Security (808-974-7911)

Distressed Students

• College transition is naturally stressful time• Traditional college age is onset for mental

health issues• More students coming to college with emotional

or mental health issues

DISTRESS SIGNS - ACADEMIC

• Repeated absences from class• Writing that suggests extreme violence,

emotional distress or is threatening• Pattern of missing assignments, exams, or

appointments• Quality or quantity of work deteriorates• Requests for exceptions/extensions• Extreme over use of tutoring services• Extreme responses to grades/critiques

DISTRESS SIGNS - PHYSICAL

• Marked deterioration of hygiene, appearance or dress

• Visible changes in weight• Smelling of alcohol or marijuana• Slurred, disjointed, or odd speech• Excessive fatigue, nodding out, or falling asleep

in library• Fidgeting, jumpy behaviors, shakiness

DISTRESS SIGNS - BEHAVIORAL• Threats to harm others or angry, or volatile

behavior• Repeated and/or frequent displays of bizarre or

unusual behavior• Angry outbursts, yelling, or extreme levels of

disruptive activity or conversations• Crying outbursts or extreme expresses of

hopelessness• Unusual levels of anxiety or irritability• Excessively demanding or needy behavior • Oversharing of personal or emotional issues

Care Team

Provides intervention services for students who are behaving in ways that:• Presents safety issues for the student or others• Hinders his/her ability to meet expected

conduct standards or meet academic requirements

• Displays behaviors that suggests severe emotional distress

Care Team Members

Team is comprised of representatives from:• Dean of Students• Residence Life • Counseling Services• Campus Security• Medical Services• Kilohana • Disability Services• Graduate Council

How to refer

Non-Urgent Concerns:• File report using online reporting form:

http://hilo.hawaii.edu/studentofconcern/• Call or email Dean of Students• Contact Counseling Services

• When to Call Security: • Weapon is involved• Immediate or imminent physical danger• Threats of violence

Care Team Process

• We are not threat assessment• Conduct matters manage through conduct code• If not conduct, outreach to student• Connect to Resources• Monitor

Conclusion

• Students have rights and responsibilities• College is time of exploration but not a free

pass • Early intervention is key

Resources

• Dean of Students: 932-7472• Counseling Services: 932-7465• Campus Security: 974-7911• Refer a student to the Care team:

http://hilo.hawaii.edu/studentofconcern/

• Anonymous reporting:

http://hilo.hawaii.edu/auxsvc/security/witness/