Introduction

The mission of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities is to advance student learning and development and a campus culture of respect and responsibility. We promote a community of acceptance and accountability by supporting and empowering students and campus partners to uphold the mission of Pacific Lutheran University. 

In conjunction with the University’s commitment to holistic student development, the processes conducted by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities works to assist students in

  1. developing a personal set of values and ethics;
  2. managing emotions;
  3. making decisions and following through on commitments;
  4. becoming independent;
  5. recognizing interdependence; and
  6. accepting the consequences of personal actions and decisions.

There are times when incidents of reported misconduct may warrant a review by members of the university community. Conduct proceedings are neither an end in themselves nor the primary means of developing responsible student conduct. Student development is more likely to take place through education and example than through disciplinary measures. Nonetheless, there will be occasions when the university will assert its disciplinary authority for the safety and well-being of the university community.

The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) seeks to provide fair and equitable processes for reviewing and responding to incidents. In addressing disciplinary concerns, PLU’s Student Conduct processes support the concept of community review and implements this through “Review Meetings.” This means that situations that violate university policies, rules, regulations, and standards will be reviewed by trained members of the PLU community. SRR also partners with parents and guardians when necessary, in order to assist in student development. 

SRR procedures have been developed with the goal that all students involved in any disciplinary matter are treated in an equitable and consistent manner. Inherent in SRR processes is an element of flexibility that enables the university to address core issues of behavior. Since each student is an individual, and no two incidents are alike, each incident will be handled individually. PLU reserves the right to modify procedures and sanctions in individual cases and with individual students when, in PLU’s sole discretion, such modification is in the best interest of the university community. Each person may not receive the same sanction for a similar policy violation, but each sanction given will be within a general framework of consistency and fairness.