Second-year law student serves on Student Disciplinary Review Board
During his time at the University of Idaho, second-year law student Chris Schrette said he has witnessed a fair share of infractions to the Student Code of Conduct — yet he said he’s also seen the university push many students into what he believes were unfair punishments.
“(Students in violation) would be taken to the Dean of Students Office and be told, ‘You don’t want a hearing, you’ll be given a stiffer punishment — just accept this suspension,'” Schrette said.
Chris Schrette
That’s why Schrette said he applied for the position of student defender on the Student Disciplinary Review Board. He was appointed in September by ASUI President Nate Fisher and has subsequently sat in on fall semester disciplinary hearings.
The SDRB, according to Fisher, is a neutral entity on campus that handles and manages disciplinary violations pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct, such as academic dishonesty, alcohol-related violations and sexual violence. The board is made up of undergraduate and graduate students appointed by ASUI and faculty and staff members appointed by the Faculty Senate.
Fisher said Schrette was his first choice due to his undergraduate experience at UI. Schrette served as director of policy in ASUI and was involved in Greek life as an Interfraternity Council president.
“In years past, the student defender has not been very acquainted with the rest of ASUI ongoings,” Fisher said. “(Schrette) could be a good contributor as a law student.”
Schrette said his experience in UI’s law program has helped him become comfortable with the process, which resembles a typical judiciary. He said students have the opportunity to be cross-examined and make opening and closing statements. Now, he believes the process is even more equitable due to changes of disciplinary process and procedure made to the Student Code of Conduct last fall, which hadn’t been revised since the 1970s.
The revisions sought to slightly redefine the role of the SDRB — most noticeably, SDRB Chair Bob Stone said, by changing the name of the committee from the University Judiciary Council.
“The purpose of the revisions to ensure the image of the process was that it was educational — ‘judicial’ implies more of a legal role,” Stone said.
While in the past Schrette said students have been disciplined on the basis of allegations or criminal charges that had already been dismissed by local law enforcement, he believes the changes will offer a fairer and more transparent process for students — and that, he said, is what’s important.
“I enjoy representing student fairness and providing for student advocacy,” Schrette said. “It’s something lawyers do every day.”
Hannah Shirley can be reached at [email protected]