No students attended the open forum last Thursday to discuss proposed changes to Binghamton University’s Code of Student Conduct.

The open forum was held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 12 in Old University Union room 206. It was presided over by Milton Chester, assistant dean of students and director of the Office of Student Conduct.

As a member of Binghamton University, all students are subject to the rules and regulations established by the Code of Student Conduct. The dean of students releases the code every year to all members of the University community. While many people and organizations play a role in the content of the booklet, the Office of Student Conduct is responsible for addressing questions and concerns regarding the content, according to Chester.

There are four new amendments to the 2012-13 edition of the Code of Student Conduct. There will be a definition for stalking added, an update of the Good Samaritan Actions to correspond with updates to New York state law, an adjustment in wording to change questioning procedures at certain hearings with the Student Conduct Board, and increased safety precautions at hearings.

Aaron Ricks, the vice president-elect of academic affairs at Binghamton and a junior majoring in political science, attended Thursday’s open forum to help Chester answer potential questions about the changes.

“We still need to make sure that any further changes of the Code of Student Conduct are looked over with scrutiny, but so far the ones that have been proposed by Milton are straight-forward and positive,” Ricks said.

Chester told Pipe Dream that he was not expecting many students to show up to Thursday’s open forum.

Andre Donaldson, an undeclared freshman, said he had no interest in attending the open forum.

“I didn’t go to it because I actually didn’t care and nothing that I want to be changed in the future can be changed in a meeting like that,” Donaldson said.

Amanda Margolis, an undeclared freshman, echoed this sentiment.

“Honestly, I feel like the Code of Conduct is never really relevant until you get in trouble,” Margolis said. ”It would be nice to be better informed about the rules of the school, but at the same time I wouldn’t concern myself with it unless it pertained to me directly.”

Ricks said it’s important for students to be aware of the campus regulations.

“It’s a shame that most students don’t even know what the Code of Conduct is until they get written up for some type of offense,” Ricks said. “All students need to remember that as a part of living on campus and being a part of this University they have to follow the Code of Student Conduct.”

Chester explained that while the changes may not affect students’ daily lives at BU, they are positive for students and keep their safety in mind.

“The changes are minor, but it clears up vague language and actually makes it easier for students to function,” Chester said. “I don’t think your average students will be alarmed by any of this … the goal is always to make the process the best that it can be, and we want to enhance the process.”

According to the proposed Rules of Student Conduct Review for 2012-13, the addition of a definition for stalking is important so that possible victims can pinpoint the behavior and determine whether or not they are dealing with a stalking matter.

“I’ve always believed definitions are good so we know what we are dealing with,” Chester said.

The second amendment to Binghamton’s Code of Student Conduct “was adding language to make it consistent with New York state law,” Chester said.

A statement from Section III of the 2011-12 edition will be deleted from the 2012-13 edition: “Students who are found to be legally intoxicated for a second time may be medically withdrawn [from the University], pending an alcohol and other drug screening and treatment if such is indicated.”

According to the amendment, with the addition of the phrase “other life-threatening medical emergency,” no students seeking medical treatment for alcohol or other drug-related overdose will be subject to University discipline.

The third amendment to the code is a slight adjustment in wording in regards to University hearings with the Office of Student Conduct. The adjustment, according to Chester, will allow for the prevention of potentially traumatic or intimidating alleged perpetrator-to-victim questioning, while still having flexibility for non-victim parties to question one another.

“The way it used to operate is students would directly ask questions to each other, so we are trying to create an environment that is more civil and nonthreatening,” Chester said.

The fourth amendment involves increased safety precautions at hearings in order to better protect students. At the sole discretion of the Office of Student Conduct, appropriate accommodations for hearings now may include, but are not limited to, pat-downs prior to entry into the hearing room, moving hearings to an off-campus location and allowing parties to participate from remote locations via electronic means.

“We want to make sure that the hearing environment is a safe environment,” Chester said.