The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards released a summary of conduct statistics for the 2020-21 academic year in a Tuesday email sent to undergraduate students by Jeanna McCullers, senior associate dean and director of the OSC.
The report states that there were 3,627 cases reported to the office last year and 1,771 total resolutions. There was a “significant increase in the volume of cases and resolutions issued” due to COVID-19, the email said.
There were 1,703 reports related to violations of the Duke Compact, and most were resolved through “educational, developmental and reflective conversations,” according to the email. This is due to OSC’s shift to “adaptable resolution practices,” which address harm and accountability without resulting in an externally reportable disciplinary record.
Adaptable resolutions may be applied to all conduct matters including sexual misconduct, according to the email. (This does not preclude students from pursuing a formal resolution under the University’s current Title IX policy.)
Of the remaining reports that were classified as “major subject matters,” 390 were related to academics and 16 were related to bias.
The email from OSC also highlighted the Honor Council and the 2021-22 Student Conduct Board, the latter of which was expanded to include graduate and professional students during the 2020-21 academic year.
The message also contained the most recent version of the Community Standard guide, which will get a complete overhaul within the next year, and reminders to adhere to the undergraduate COVID-19 policy plan.
“Please note that the University's updated masking guidance requires masks on the Duke campus in all indoor locations and outdoor locations, unless you are exercising alone, eating or drinking, or otherwise not around others,” the email reads. “This guidance includes all areas of residence halls except your assigned room, and all indoor spaces from classrooms and labs to study spaces in the library or Campus Center buildings.”
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Nadia Bey, Trinity '23, was managing editor for The Chronicle's 117th volume and digital strategy director for Volume 118.