Turning an eye on student conduct policies is an intentional refocusing on the underlying networks of policies. Current practice tends to incorporate equity and inclusion practices into the day-to-day work of student conduct. However, we rarely interrogate the policies themselves. As a result, these policies remain an oppressive set of barriers to incorporating true equity into our work. Exposing the ways that policies reinforce white power can bring student conduct practice and praxis into alignment with policies. This alignment can then give student conduct administrators the ability to engage in truly equitable change. Because these policies are the underlying frameworks for institutional practice (i.e. when administrators say “well our policy says…”), revising them can yield equitable practice on our campuses. The result can also offer insight into revising other institutional policies, all with an eye towards creating change for our BIPOC students. This presentation will discuss the application of my (Zanotto, 2023) dissertation model for liberatory student conduct development in the revision of a code of student conduct.

Presenter Bio

Dr. anton ward-zanotto (He/Him/His) anton is the Assistant Dean of Students at Seattle University. anton earned a Doctorate from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, a Master of Education degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs from Indiana University, Bloomington, and Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Bachelor of Science in Commerce degrees from Santa Clara University. His research interests include studying the role of institutional policies in reinforcing systems of power. As Assistant Dean of Students, anton oversees the Student Conduct & Integrity Formation program, provides direct support to students across campus, and supports staff and faculty navigating difficult situations or conversations.