Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: www.pace.edu Students staff and faculty likely met in a conference room like this at Pace University so that both campuses could discuss the revision of the Guiding Principles of Conduct and the Student Handbook.

Pace's New York City campus, this year especially, has been a forum for the debate of freedom of speech. Recently, students have been working with staff and faculty members to revise parts of the Student Handbook which are seen to limit the level of free speech allowed on this campus. Now it is time for the rest of the Pace community to voice their opinions.

In the middle of last week, Pace's portal website listed a link to the changes proposed by the Student Handbook Committee. All totaled, there were suggestions for revision on 13 of the 26 guiding principles as well as revisions to three general statements made within the handbook.

One student on the committee, Reggie Thomas, President of the New York City Student Government Association (SGA), felt that the review served more than one purpose. It not only enabled NYC students' concerns to be dealt with, but it also "turned out to be a good opportunity to review the policies as a whole in order to ensure the rights of students were protected."

Currently there are ten staff and faculty members on the committee for revising the Student Handbook and Director of Student Affairs, Darnita Killian, is chairing the committee.

Thomas pointed out that in the revision process, "non-student members on the committee were very open and… understanding of our views. This was a clear example of how students, faculty, and staff can work with one another."

The initial plan was to have ten students involved as well, but only six students make a regular contribution, four from the New York City campus and two from Pleasantville. The committee hopes that the releasing of their changes will encourage other students to add their contributions.

Now the Pleasantville student government, Student Association (SA), and all within the Pace community have been asked to review the proposed changes and make comments. SA will likely deal with the topic at their next meeting, Fri., April 13 at noon in Gottesman room.

All comments should be directed toward the chair, Darnita Killian, by April 20 so that she might bring it to the committee in a timely fashion. Student comments can also be brought to SA and submitted through the Pleasantville student governance.

"The proposed changes are not written in stone," concluded Thomas. Student governments on both campuses are encouraging students to get involved with the process of feedback and revision.

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