A new policy dictates all students must report their arrests to the University, and campus leaders are angry that the administration hasn’t notified students.

“I am incredibly frustrated by the fact that this policy passed without a single student being notified,” said Student Government Association President Connor McCarthy. “I hadn’t heard a word before seeing it in The Red & Black on Friday morning.”

Brad Valentine, president of the Interfraternity Council, said the same happened to him.

“Unfortunately, the first time the Interfraternity Council was made aware of this issue was from a publication in The Red & Black. Since that time, numerous members of the IFC have raised concerns regarding the new policy,” he said.

McCarthy and Amanda Ruckel, executive director of University Judiciary, met with Rodney Bennett, vice president of student affairs, to express their concerns.

“I e-mailed Vice President Bennett on Friday and carbon copied the senior administration, and from what I gather, the senior administration received my response well,” he said.

“They are apologetic about not notifying students, but regardless, this has been passed and we have to figure out how to change it because the student voice has to be heard.”

Bennett declined to comment on specifics of the policy.

“I’m spending time drafting a way to communicate what the policy is and how it will affect students,” he said. “I’m trying to do that as quickly as possible. I know there is anxiety surrounding the issue and I don’t want anyone to have undue heartache.”

Valentine and Kathleen Robinson, president of the Panhellenic Council, said many students have come forward with concerns.

“We are in discussions to fully understand the implications of these changes,” Robinson said. “At surface level, our concern is that it appears there was no student input into this decision. We are continuing to explore the issue along with the leadership of other student organizations.”

Valentine said he hopes “to ensure student concerns about the policy are raised with the University’s administration.”

Kim Ellis, associate dean for the Office of Judicial Programs, also would not define specifics.

“The only thing we can say is there is a policy that’s been approved,” a judicial programs spokeswoman, who refused to give her name, said on Ellis’ behalf.

McCarthy said he is opposed to the policy and wants it revoked.

“It’s completely unacceptable to make a policy like this without asking for student input,” he said. “Otherwise, my position as president of SGA becomes an administration puppet. If I can’t do anything or express my concern, why do I even have the title?”

McCarthy and Ruckel will meet with Provost Arnett Mace on Wednesday.

“I have several problems with the policy,” McCarthy said. “The first offender program in Georgia expunges criminal record, but if this policy occurs, the documentation would be on the books for UGA and thus for the state of Georgia.”

“Also, rational students are not going to report arrests that occur outside of Athens-Clarke County. Whether or not I condone that, it’s just not going to happen,” he said. “We’re creating a culture of liars, and that’s not something we need to ingrain.”

“Finally, this policy contradicts the spirit of the Fifth Amendment rights of freedom from self-incrimination,” he said.

Ruckel said although Bennett has apologized, University Judiciary has concerns about how the policy will affect students.

“When the policy was proposed, there wasn’t a mode of implementation,” she said. “That’s going to have to be determined with the staff of the Office of Judicial Programs. We have to work to make sure the policy is fair and gets implemented consistently.”