On Wednesday, March 5, students were notified that revisions had been approved by the University Council to the Code of Conduct, found within the Student Handbook.
The revisions to the Code of Conduct expand opportunities and protections for students. This includes greater options for students when appealing disciplinary action and a new alternative resolution option which may be used in lieu of a formal disciplinary process when appropriate.
Some changes were necessary because on January 9, 2025, a federal district court in State of Tennessee v. Cardona ruled that the 2024 Title IX regulations passed by the previous White House administration were invalid and issued a nationwide injunction. To ensure our campus remains compliant with federal law, the revised Code of Conduct reverts our campus Title IX policies to their previous iteration to fully align with the 2020 Final Rule.
Protections and supports for transgender students at SUNY Oswego remain in place. Discrimination based on gender and gender identity continues to be against the Code of Conduct and against current NY State and federal civil rights laws, one being the NY State GENDA act that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and expression. The GENDA act requires, for example, access to gender-neutral restrooms. It also outlines that it is illegal in NY State to refuse someone access to a single-sex restroom or other single-sex facility based on their gender identity. Bathroom access is not in the Code of Conduct and has not changed. The chosen name policy is in the Code of Conduct and continues to be in place.
Redundancies have been removed from the Code, directing viewers to access full-length policy information directly from the University’s website. In addition, several sections have been updated to enhance clarity on the Code’s university-wide application to student organizations, groups, and teams.
Furthermore, the following policy sections have been added or revised:
- Section C. Assaults, Threats, Endangerment and Harassment, revised
- Section G. Property Violations, revised
- Section J. Violation of University Policies, Procedures, and Rules, revised
- Section N. Drug Policy, revised
- Section O. Bribery, Collusion or Complicity, newly added
- Section Q. Invasion of Privacy and Appropriation of Identity, newly added
For questions regarding the scope or impact of these changes, please contact Brandon Bennett, Director of Student Conduct at brandon.bennett@oswego.edu.
For questions about protections for transgender students, please contact Lisa Evaneski, Title IX Coordinator at lisa.evaneski@oswego.edu.