Kerry Guerard was appointed director of Student Rights and Community Standards this week. She takes on the role officially after having served as interim director.
In an email to The Brandeis Hoot, Guerard said she has loved her experience with the office thus far.
She continued, saying, “It was a unique experience to be able to work in a position for a few months prior to applying for the position. Having served as the interim, it made me absolutely certain that I wanted to take on the role more permanently.”
Her position is with Department of Student Rights and Community Standards (DSRCS), a branch of the Dean of Students Office. The mission of the DSRCS is “to educate the campus about issues central to the mission of the institution and to react to inappropriate behavior in a fair and responsive manner,” according to the department’s website.
Guerard will adjudicate disciplinary cases, educate students on the conduct process and also serve on the Title IX Committee and the Care Team, according to a press release.
The DSRCS also releases Brandeis’ Rights and Responsibilities handbook, through the efforts of the Student Conduct Board, which is comprised of both faculty and students. Currently, the office is accepting applications for the Board and suggestions for the 2015-16 edition.
Guerard said she plans “to evaluate the Rights and Responsibility and get feedback from the community about the process. We have a form that we are advertising through various listservs, working with different groups and direct communication with various individuals.”
Guerard affirms she is excited to continue her work at Brandeis, stating, “I really have enjoyed getting to know the Brandeis community, and I am looking forward to becoming a bigger part of the community.”
Dean of Students Jamele Adams wrote in a press release, “Kerry is a great fit for Brandeis, and our students will benefit from her experience, her ability to thoughtfully assess student-related issues and her vision for how to best and fairly respond to student conduct cases.”
Guerard received her undergraduate degree from Fitchburg State College and completed a master’s in higher education leadership and administration at Jones International University. Guerard’s past roles include interim assistant dean of students at Suffolk University, assistant director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities at North Carolina Central University and director of judicial affairs and orientation at Muskingum University.
