The latest annual report from the Office of Student Conflict Resolution demonstrates the many ways in which OSCR continues to support a safe, just and peaceful university community while helping U-M students learn how to manage and resolve conflict in productive ways.
The report for the 2013-14 academic year details a slight decline in the overall number of reported violations of the U-M student code of conduct, but an increase in the number of reported violations involving alcohol and other drugs.
Part of the reason for the overall decline is that this is the first year that sexual misconduct violations are not part of the OSCR annual report. They are detailed separately in the Student Sexual Misconduct Annual Report.
Overall the number of reported violations of the student code, also known as the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, declined by 4 percent from 621 in the previous year to 600 in 2013-14.
The biggest area of increase came in the number of alcohol and other drug matters, which increased by 29 percent, rising from 404 incidents the previous year to 515 in 2013-14, says Stacy Vander Velde, OSCR associate director.
One of the factors contributing to the increase was that the 2013-14 academic year included the largest incoming class (only to be exceeded by the current academic year).
“Together with campus and community partners, such as University Housing, law enforcement agencies, University Health Service, and Counseling and Psychological Services, OSCR addressed the increased alcohol and other drug violations through an educational model of holistic wellness and community impact,” Vander Velde explains.
Although there was an increase in overall numbers, the number of repeat violations remained low, the report shows. Additionally, OSCR partners with campus partners to promote responsible choices throughout the year, including parent orientation, Vander Velde adds.
In the year ahead, she says the OSCR staff will remain focused on its ongoing campus outreach built around the OSCR commitment to building a safe and just educational environment for all students. This is accomplished through the education, prevention and response efforts pertaining to student conduct and conflict management.
