The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Media Credit: Grace Woodard [Click to enlarge]

One of the many new faces you may see on campus this year is that of Sarah Klucker, Saint Louis University's new Student Conduct Officer.

She has replaced Terisa Remelius, Ph. D., who acted as the University's judicial affairs officer through the end of the 2004-2005 school year. Since then, the Department of Judicial Affairs has been combined with the Department of Housing and Residence Life and renamed the Office of Student Conduct.

Before arriving at SLU, Klucker worked for the University of Kentucky in residence life. Upon moving to St. Louis, she worked at a law firm until finally applying for her current job. Why the switch?

"It keeps me young" she jokes, adding that she loves working with college students.

Klucker commented that observing students' personal growth from their freshman to senior years is a particularly rewarding aspect of the job.

While Klucker brings new vibrancy and skills to SLU, she is also looking forward to learning a lot in return. She has already found that working at a private, Catholic institution brings new challenges and growth opportunities that differ from secular environments.

Although Klucker has only been here a few weeks, her schedule is already full. Nearly every student conduct issue goes through her office at some time or another. She monitors these through a database, keeping on top of daily incidents. In addition, she corresponds closely with the Department of Public Safety, as well as supervises and trains the University's three hearing boards.

In the future, Klucker anticipates that some of her work may involve implementing any necessary policy modifications.

A quick overview of the Student Conduct Board program may acquaint students with the aim and mission of the program. Essentially, there are three hearing boards that address issues of student conduct. One of these, the Student Conduct Board, is comprised entirely of SLU students.

The objective is to grant SLU students their right to have their conduct evaluated by their peers.

Klucker explained that having fellow students on a conduct board adds valuable insight and perspective that administrative officials may not necessarily have.

Rather than acting parental or retributive, these student justices help to foster a community of mutual respect and partnership by working collaboratively with students to identify their rights and responsibilities.

By developing this "give and take" relationship, Klucker truly hopes that students will become even more educated about the rights and responsibilities impacting their daily life. She realizes that students may be scared or angry when initially confronted about their conduct, and she hopes that her work will combat any misconceptions or illusions students may have.

While there are currently five justices on the Student Conduct Board, there are also four vacancies.

Klucker encouraged students who are sophomores or older to learn more about these positions and, if interested, consider getting involved.

She said that, unless students become actively aware of the University conduct system and the privileges it affords them, they are short-changing themselves.

Article Tools