Trendspotting: Campus Judicial Programs Becoming Less Legalistic

For many college students, a charge of misconduct (academic or otherwise) is their first taste of a judicial proceeding. Ombuds often serve as a resource for confused and concerned students. Now, college administrators are hoping to change the legalistic nature of their judicial processes. The Association for Student Judicial Affairs has changed its name to the Association for Student Conduct Administration, reflecting updated nomenclature on many campuses. The recent survey by the association indicates that that institutions are scaling back on some criminal due-process procedures and using more mediation and similar techniques to settle disputes. (ASCA/ASJA Survey; Chronicle of Higher Ed, subscription required.)