Overview of the Institute on Student Discipline, held on April 12th & 13th, 2007 at Alliant International University, One Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

The Institute was held the week prior to the Virginia Tech tragedy. The Institute, hosted by Alliant’s Graduate School of Education, was co-sponsored by the California Community College chief Student Service Administrators Association and NASPA, Region 6. The Institute was modeled after a similar workshop offered in the Napa Valley in 1996. It was designed to help address and prevent as best we can campus tragedies by preparing campus leaders ahead of time and informing them on the key processes to consider with mental health, disturbances on campus and in the classroom, and addressing Internet misuse. There were 42 representatives from community colleges and four year colleges in California. It is the Institute organizer’s belief that when campus leaders come together to discuss these type of matters that a synergy evolves where each participant adds the learns from the dialogue. This interactive Institute focused on four areas of interest:

• How to prepare and orient new managers, faculty and staff to student disciplinary procedures via PowerPoint presentation, and via repeating workshops;
• Mental Health Issues on campus and in the classroom;
• Internet discipline: how to address and monitor computer use; and
• Disruptive behavior on campus and in the classroom to include addressing expulsion and transfer to neighboring colleges.

The presenters complied the notes taken during their sessions and have summarized them for your use in an easy to read, bulleted format. You should use your best judgment and the knowledge of your campus and local and state regulations and laws when implementing any new and revised student discipline regulations. Due the Virginia Tech incident, there will be forthcoming institutes in the Fall and Spring building on the information outlined in these proceedings. You may contact the presenters in each section for more detailed information.

June Abstracts for Proceedings in Special Student Discipline Section

Faculty, Staff and New Managers: Why and How to Educate Them on Student Discipline in the 21st Century
What does faculty need to know to manage the classroom? What are key facets of discipline administration necessary for the new college employee to understand? What is the best way to share the info? What works best and what should be contained in the orientation? What resources exist? This PowerPoint presentation is designed to provide campus leaders and those who handle discipline a format for which to educate faculty and staff on the nuances and responsibility of clear communication to students prior to any incident on the consequences of inappropriate behavior in the classroom and on campus. It is felt that the more folks understand about student discipline and the means to carry out at all levels, the better a campus will be to address more serious issues and stop problems before them become major incidents. We hope this PowerPoint presentation will be a starting point for that effort on your campus.
By Carsbia Anderson and Edward J. Shenk, Ed.D.

Student Mental Health Issues Abstract
What are the legal controls for Student Mental Health Issues? How do you address these issues on campus and in the classroom? What are the campus processes and what is needed? The presenters suggest ways to address the "complicated management of risk and safety as college leaders attempt to understand the vast array of student's psychological disabilities as they effect the student, the college and the community."
By Denise Swett, Ed.D. and Jess Miller

Internet Discipline
How is Internet Discipline identified? What are the legal constraints as related to free speech? How are the rules and regulations for campuses communicated? Is there a nexus to the home computer for violations? The presenters delve into the challenges of the Internet as student populations expand the use of this dynamic tool.
By Katherine A. Dey and Jean Han

Disruptive Behavior and Expulsion Issues
How is disruption defined? What constitutes disruption in the classroom and on campus? How is expulsion addressed? Can an expelled student move to another campus? Based on the input from the participants, a list of tips, tools and techniques are suggested to improve the management of student discipline on campus.
By Ron Travenick and Audrey Yamagata-Noji, Ph.D.

 

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About the Author

Edward J. Shenk, Ed.D.
Vice President of Student Services, Retired
Napa Valley College, California

Associate Professor/Program Director
Graduate Program in Education/Leadership Management
Alliant International University, California

With close to 36 years in educational administration, Dr. Ed Shenk has been a highly visible leader within California Student Services for many years. Dr. Shenk joined the faculty of the Graduate School of Education for Alliant International University in July, 2005 and began a full time assignment in 2006. He served on the executive board of CCCCSSAA (California Community College Chief Student Services Administrators Association) for fourteen years and was president of the organization in 1991-92. He represented the field by serving on many statewide committees and special task forces. He became an active member in NASPA in 1994. He served as the national chair for the NASPA Knowledge Community, Community & 2 year Colleges (2004-06) and the community college representative on the Northern Executive Council for NASPA. He is also a Board member on the California ACT Advisory Council.

Having a special interest in student discipline, leadership, quality service and professional development, Dr. Shenk was instrumental in initiating the Student Services Training Institute in 1991. Hundreds of California student services professionals have participated. He is a frequent facilitator, trainer, and speaker at local colleges and for statewide and national organizations. Most recently, he was a presenter at the NASPA National Conference in Tampa, Florida. He was recognized as the Outstanding Dean in NASPA’s Region 6 in 2002.

He began is administrative career in community colleges as a clerk-typist in 1970 and later as the first EOPS director at Grossmont College. Ed then moved to Napa Valley College where he was an administrator from 1975–2005. At NVC, he served as the Chief Student Service Officer on campus beginning in 1981 and held the position of Vice President, Student Services since 1987 to his retirement in December, 2005. His administrative assignment included responsibility as the Affirmative Action Officer and membership on the District-Faculty negotiations team. He worked with all aspects of the college and was a key advisor for three presidents at the college.

Throughout this time he continues to be active in the community as a Napa Chamber of Commerce board member/ committee chair, Ambassador and past president, Napa City-County Library Foundation board member, Napa County Hispanic Network board member, and Youth Soccer Coach. In 2002, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Napa County Hispanic Network and was tapped to serve on the Napa County's Airport Advisory Commission. He was selected to be the Napa County Hispanic Network President for 2006-08.

Dr. Shenk attended San Diego State University where he received a B.A. in History and an M.P.A. in Public Administration. He earned his Ed.D. in Higher Education from the University of Oregon. His dissertation focused on the Impacts of Proposition 13 on the Missions of the California Community College. His wife, SueDee, is the Executive Director of Napa Valley Community Housing, a builder and manager of affordable housing in the Napa Valley. They have two grown sons. Living in the Napa Valley for over 30 years, Dr. Shenk enjoys wine, travel and bocce ball. He does attempt to play golf.

Email: eshenk@alliant.edu