Some CSUN officials stressed the importance of being aware of the recently passed CSU student conduct code.

The new student conduct code, which applies to all 23 CSU campuses and was passed in November 2005, will replace the existing conduct code, said William Watkins, vice president of Student Affairs.

Some of the changes were adopted to incorporate more modern issues, Watkins said.

Tom Piernik, director of Student Development and International Programs said, “students should realize that the code exists to help them to understand their obligations as a student.”

Piernik said some students are not aware of the student conduct code until they are disciplined.

The student conduct code “provides very clearly defined examples of unacceptable behavior,” Piernik said.

Some of the new codes added to the overall student code are section five, ten, fifteen, seventeen, and nineteen.

Code five was added and refers to unacceptable student behavior “willful material and substantial obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or other traffic on or leading to campus property or an off-campus University related activity,” according to the new Student Conduct Code.

Code nine, which describes the use or distribution of illegal drugs or misuse of legal pharmaceutical drugs and drug-related paraphernalia, was also added.

“We still have an expectation of our campus that you cannot do marijuana or drugs here,” Watkins said. “We had cases of (drug use) in housing, we informed (the students).”

He added that Student Affairs provided letters at the beginning of the semester to the students, who were caught using drugs, to inform them of certain restrictions they would encounter.

Code 10 states alcohol and distribution of alcohol beverages on campus can be sold in locations permitted by the law and University regulations only.

Watkins said two locations on campus only are permitted by the state law to sell alcohol beverages. The PUB Bar and Grill and the University Club are locations on campus licensed to sell alcohol beverages, Watkins said, adding that students can carry alcohol in locations that have licenses.

“Alcohol can be served, and it can be done in a responsible way,” Watkins said.

Since most students use the internet and computer more for academic means, the Board of Trustees proposed code 15 to address the misuse of computer facilities or resources.

Watkins said also the process to file complaints about student misconduct or any violations by students to the Student Conduct Code starts with writing a letter.

“All of the complaints are taken seriously and evaluated,” Watkins said. “If it appears the complaint has a merit, the student will get a letter from me, instructing the student to meet with me and discuss the complaint.”

If the student does not agree with the complaint, a student can request a formal hearing with a hearing officer and the president, Waltkins said.

Billie-Jean Willis, biotechnology major, said the student conduct code is necessary to student disciplinary behavior on campus.

“I think it protects the students from negative actions from other students,” Willis said. “It makes us feel more comfortable for all of us.”

Willis said she believes there is a code for everything in church, in school and with friends on how to behave.

“I think codes are necessary everywhere,” Willis said.

Gabriela Gonzalez can be reached at city@csun.edu.