Pepperdine University boasts not only breathtaking views but also strives to maintain a safe environment for its students and faculty, Dean of Students Sharon Beard said. This is evident in the comprehensive measures undertaken by the University administration to uphold safety standards and communicate them effectively to the community.
One of the primary avenues through which Pepperdine ensures a secure environment is the dissemination of its Student Code of Conduct, Beard said.
“We have our Student Code of Conduct that is shared with students even before they start their first semester at Pepperdine,” Beard said. “It’s part of the New Student Orientation checklist that they are supposed to review.”
This proactive approach ensures students are informed about expected behaviors from the outset of their academic journey, Beard said.
Enforcement and Education
The Student Code of Conduct at Pepperdine University implements a comprehensive code applicable across its academic programs, emphasizing adherence to principles of honor, morality and integrity, according to the website.
The University encourages reporting of misconduct both on and off-campus with clear guidelines and channels provided for reporting violations. Additionally, the University underscores the importance of social media privacy while maintaining jurisdiction over student conduct to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment with disciplinary measures applied when necessary, according to the website.
Alcohol-related violations and instances, such as underage drinking, are handled with caution, Sofia Thure, senior George Page Resident Advisor (RA), said. Thure said RA interventions occur during routine checks or in response to residents’ reports.
Since Pepperdine is a dry campus, the University and DPS enforce strict policies prohibiting alcohol that have repercussions for both students and RAs found at parties with underage drinking, Thure said.
She said she communicated the Student Code of Conduct by having Basic Human Respect (BHR) meetings with each of her suites. This is a way to remind everyone of the rules and how to follow them, Thure said.
“These are the commitments and promises that we’re going to make to each other for the whole school year,” Thure said.
She said she has never had to report a student for underage drinking on campus. Juniors and seniors are expected to be familiar with the rules, Thure said.
When it comes to enforcing policies regarding alcohol and drug use, Beard said it’s important to emphasize education and awareness.
“Everyone usually knows what the alcohol and drug policy is on campus,” Beard said. “It’s very rare that someone comes to our office who’s been in violation of our alcohol or drug policy and isn’t aware of the policy.”
Beard said RAs communicate to students what the community standards are.
“Code of conduct isn’t really administered or addressed as much for upperclassmen; like, it is a huge deal in freshman housing 100%,” Thure said.
Beard said there are some demographic trends associated with Student Code of Conduct violations, particularly among first-year and sophomore students living on campus.
“The most obvious answer is those that are living on campus because they’re in our residential community,” Beard said.
There are efforts to address potential safety concerns among specific student populations and make sure RAs are proactive in maintaining student conduct.
Addressing Concerns
Last semester, DPS sent an erroneous email out to the community regarding theft and property issues, according to previous Graphic reporting.
Following this incident, IMC declined to be interviewed regarding this matter on behalf of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). This lack of communication raised questions among the community about transparency and accountability.
To increase transparency about safety and crime on campus, DPS has now added The Crime and Fire Log report on their website for all members of the Pepperdine community to be informed.
The University’s efforts to address specific safety concerns such as hit-and-run incidents, underage drinking and theft on campus can be found in the weekly DPS crime logs, an addition on the Graphic website.
“If it is a hit-and-run situation, and we [Office of Community Standards] are made aware of it, and we know we have evidence to support that that is what occurred, then, it would be handled just like any other violation of our Code of Conduct,” Beard said.
The Office of Community Standards demonstrates Pepperdine’s commitment to addressing safety issues promptly and effectively, according to their website.
Senior Ryan Marumoto said he has not witnessed any hit-and-run situations on campus, but he has heard they have occurred.
“In the [car] incidents that I heard about from friends, the people who hit them drove off,” Marumoto said.
Cultivating Trust and Collaboration
Many students on campus share the sentiment that leaving belongings out in Payson Library or public spaces is part of the safe Pepperdine culture, but theft still happens.
Thure said instances of theft in on-campus housing are addressed through interviews within the suite.
Sophomore Noelle Hickey said she feels Pepperdine’s campus is safe.
“I have a lot of trust with the people that go to school here,” Hickey said. “I do leave my bag unattended in the library that holds valuables such as my computer, phone, etc. It’s a safe place for students. I won’t go as far as to leave my car unlocked; however, I do know people that do as such, and nothing has ever been taken.”
There is a culture of trust among peers. Pepperdine fosters an environment where safety is a shared responsibility, and community members actively contribute to its preservation.
“We have more cases where items don’t get stolen, and that builds confidence within us,” Beard said. “You just have to be careful with your items and make sure that you [aren’t] just leaving them unattended at any time; that is the safest approach.”
Hickey said she sees belongings left unattended every day on campus.
“This is the first place I’ve experienced such a thing,” Hickey said. “I think there’s a sense of community belonging and trust in our peers at Pepperdine.”
In collaboration with campus entities such as Public Safety, Pepperdine continues to prioritize safety initiatives and refine its approach to maintaining a secure campus environment.
“We work closely with Public Safety to address specific safety concerns,” Beard said.
Beard said she and the Office of Community Standards welcome feedback from individuals or student organizations. Contact information can be found via the website.
Pepperdine prioritizes safety through proactive measures and ongoing collaboration within the community. It is crucial for all members to stay informed about safety protocols, report concerns promptly and support each other to foster a secure environment.
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Contact Victoria La Ferla via email: Victoria.laferla@pepperdine.edu or by instagram @vlf_insider
