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PROENZA, TRUSTEES WANT CHANGES

UA President Says Independent Commission Will Evaluate Disciplinary Procedures

University of Akron president Luis Proenza presented his plan to review law enforcement and student disciplinary policies at Wednesday's board of trustees meeting.

Proenza said an independent commission of community and campus leaders will be established to evaluate the procedures.

The media and community questioned campus policies after the mother of former graduate student Charles Plinton blamed the university for her son's Dec.  12 suicide.

"We hold ourselves to the highest standards of fairness, transparency and service to students," Proenza said.  "We must take this opportunity to examine all practices that have been called into question by our students, faculty, staff and community members."

Proenza appointed the Rev.  Ronald Fowler, pastor of the Arlington Church of God, to chair the independent commission.

Proenza said Fowler was chosen because of his high stature in the local community.  "The Rev.  Fowler was selected to chair the commission because of his standing as a community leader of high integrity, his knowledge of higher education through his many years of service as a member of Anderson University's board of trustees and his commitment, service and excellence," Proenza said.

Proenza will choose additional commission members soon.

"I am working with our board of trustees to finalize the charge to this commission," he said.

Details about the commission will be released soon, although Proenza did not give a date.  "We want to offer the best possible processes, and I believe this is an important step in that direction," Proenza said.