Student Conduct Services facilitates student learning through a process that promotes accountability and educational opportunities that involve reflection on behavioral impact and repairing harm.
Restorative Practices
Restorative Practices is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of strategies that focus on: the harms a student has created during a policy violation, the needs of the community members impacted by that violation and the obligations of the student who generated the harm. The restorative practices approach is evident throughout the student conduct process, including in individual meetings, hearing boards and sanctioning strategies. These conversations engage the student as an active partner and participant. The goal is for the student to recognize the harm their decision may have caused and the methods they can employ to repair trust and restore the community.
Goals for Student Conduct System:
- Promote a safe and positive learning environment.
- Promote student learning and development through the utilization of educational sanctions and/or mediation.
- Engage and educate students to be better citizens through accountability and guidance towards ethical decision making.
- Develop, disseminate, interpret and enforce College policies and procedures.
- Protect the rights of students.
- Respond to student behavioral problems in a fair and reasonable manner.
- Facilitate and encourage respect for and involvement in campus governance.
Designated student life staff serving as conduct administrators and members of Student Conduct Boards are responsible for the implementation of the student conduct process.
Adam’s Law
Adam’s Law, enacted in Virginia in 2022, was created to strengthen institutional policies and education about hazing and requires all colleges and universities to post on their website all reports of violations of anti-hazing policies and laws.
Bridgewater College believes that it is the responsibility of all individuals associated with the College to encourage an atmosphere of learning, social responsibility, and respect for human dignity.
Hazing is an unproductive and hazardous activity that is incongruous with this responsibility and has no place at the College, either on or off campus. This kind of behavior is injurious to the individuals involved and the College itself.
Bridgewater College defines hazing as identified in Virginia statue § 18.2.56 and the Hazing Policy in the Eagle Student Handbook.
After July 1, 2022, there are no violations of the College’s anti-hazing policies or Virginia’s anti-hazing laws to report.
Reference Links:
Important Links:
- The Eagle Student Handbook
- Reporting a violation: Student Conduct Reporting Form
- Appealing your conduct decision: Conduct Appeals Form
Questions? Contact us!
Liz Howley
Associate Vice President for Student Life
540-828-5356
ehowley@bridgewater.edu
