Sidewalk to Newcomb Hall with trees in bloom

About Us

The Policy, Accountability, and Critical Events (PACE) unit of Student Affairs includes coordination and support of student disciplinary processes, policy and compliance, and critical incident/event response.

Mission

The PACE Unit advances the University’s mission to develop responsible citizen leaders by:

Supporting the student-run Honor and Judiciary Committees in their ownership and management of student conduct adjudication;
Promoting a student culture of self-governance, honor, respect, safety, and freedom;
Facilitating student conduct practices that are fair, transparent, and educational;
Developing and managing University policies that support student, Divisional, and University priorities;
Creating and executing emergency response plans that promote student safety and the ongoing delivery of mission essential functions; and
Reviewing and advancing relevant government legislation to support the student experience.

Core Functions

Accountability

PACE provides advising and support for the student-run Honor and Judiciary Committees who have agency authority from the Board of Visitors to investigate and adjudicate allegations of student misconduct. PACE also manages related processes and procedures supporting student conduct adjudication including interim suspensions and appeals, Contributory Health Impairments (CHI), disciplinary clearances, arrest disclosures, hazing investigations, and Title IX appeals. PACE collaborates closely with colleagues both inside and outside of the Student Affairs Division, including Care and Support Services, Housing and Residence Life, Student Health and Wellness, Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (including Title IX), Office of Threat Assessment, University Police Department, and Office of the University Counsel.

Critical Events

PACE provides Divisional oversight of planning and response efforts related to institution-level issues including active threats, severe weather, public health emergencies, protests/disruptions, and other incidents. The unit also supports planning and staffing for critical events including Wahoo Welcome, home football games, Final Exercises, and other large-scale planned activities on Grounds. Unit staff represent the Division on the University’s Critical Incident Management Team, Incident Assessment Group, and Severe Weather Assessment Team. Key partners include University Emergency Management and the University Police Department.

Policy (includes Compliance and Legislative Affairs)

PACE facilitates the development, revision, and implementation of University and local policies within the Division. Representing Student Affairs on the University’s Policy Review Committee (PRC), PACE evaluates all new and revised University policies for impact to students and the Student Affairs Division. PACE also proposes new and revised policies to the PRC and collaborates with colleagues across the University for review and input. The unit ensures annual updates to policy sections of the student handbook and manages the pre-enrollment module requirement for all incoming and returning students. In collaboration with the PRC, COO, Provost, and University Counsel, the unit provides review and interpretation of policy questions related to student and Divisional activities.

PACE coordinates review of proposed state and federal legislation for impact to the student experience and Divisional operations. The unit works closely with the University’s Office of State Government Relations and Office of Federal Relations to provide information and feedback. Additional work includes collaboration with University partners and student leaders to propose new or revised legislation. The unit also supports Divisional compliance with new requirements (e.g., Adam’s Law, Human Trafficking Awareness), including new/updated policies, practices, and/or procedures.