Center offers awards for showing integrity

By BETH COSTIGAN
Reporter

Write-ups, fees and probation are no longer the only documentation Creighton’s judicial system is dishing out.

Ever since Darrell Goodwin landed the title assistant director for Student Integrity at the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year, he has tried to communicate a new message to the student body by transforming the Office of Judicial Affairs into the Center for Student Integrity. Although the Center for Student Integrity will remain the primary instigator for judicial reprimand, Goodwin wants to refocus on those who are positively contributing to Creighton’s campus.

Several new programs will help shift the focus of Creighton’s judicial system to a more optimistic approach. For the first time, people who display integrity on Creighton’s campus will receive awards from the Center for Student Integrity at the Division of Student Services awards dinner April 18 in the Skutt Student Center Ballroom.

Three awards will be given to the most deserving undergraduate student, graduate student and faculty member.

Goodwin also began book discussions. Each semester, a group of students will study a different code of conduct by reading a book that illustrates its purpose.

This semester, “Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” by Beverly Daniel Tatum, will be used to evaluate Code of Conduct 2: “Respect and promote the dignity of all persons.” Those interested meet every other week to reflect and discuss.

“These activities that we are sponsoring give students the opportunity to interact with the Center for Student Integrity without violating policies,” Goodwin said.

Dusten Crichton, resident director of Swanson Hall, said it will be a good opportunity to move away from the negative connotations of the judicial system. He said focusing on optimism is an excellent way to start redeveloping the judicial system.

“Integrity, for me, is a major part of life,” he said. “[It] is an awareness of what is right and wrong, and choosing to do what is right, regardless of its negative or positive consequences.”

Crichton said he believes institutions such as Creighton take a while to build and strengthen.

“Creighton works well because of the Jesuit belief that there is a moral right. The Center for Student Integrity upholds that right.”

Students and faculty are encouraged to nominate their peers. Nomination forms are available in the Center for Student Integrity, Brandeis 111, and are due Sunday.