responsibility for their actions.

The College is developing an unprecedented conduct code.

Under it, students will develop the guidelines for appropriate behaviour and mete out disciplinary procedures.

And the development of the code represents the first time in the College's history that a student will chair the committee.

Illetha Morris, who was the student council secretary, will develop the code of conduct with Dean of Arts and Science co-chair Roy Wright.

The conduct code will essentially represent "the students' contract with the institution'', according to recently-appointed vice president Donald Peters.

"We want to treat the students like young adults,'' said Dr. Peters. "If we treat the student with respect, we are confident that they will respect the institution.

"We want the students to focus on their own behaviour and take responsibility for their own actions.'' Dr. Peters used the example of a student breaking a window, and explained that under current university policy the student would be suspended.

Under the new code, the student will be called before a student judiciary system and will be punished by procedures to be established in the code.

If the student does not agree with the judgment, he or she can appeal for administrative review.

Dr. Peters said the code will consist of a handbook issued to each student.

"We are using examples from conduct codes already established in the US and Canada so that we don't re-invent the wheel,'' he explained.