8 What the Front Desk Taught Me
Carlos Leonel Moreno
If you would have asked me on my first day of college what it meant to be a Wildcat, I probably would have given you a blank stare. As a first-generation Mexican American student at UA, I felt kind of lost and unaware of what I should be doing. I did not have a clue what I wanted to study, let alone understand what it meant to be a college student, so this blank stare carried through my first weeks as a student. It was not until I furthered my studies and began working at the Dean of Students Office that I understood what my rights and responsibilities were as a student. Specifically, working at the front desk of this office helped me uncover useful college information and understand Academic Integrity and other policies. Had it not been for this job, I probably would not have gained the knowledge I have now, because who really ends up reading all of the school rules?
One of the first things you will review in your introductory courses and during syllabus week is that very Academic Integrity policy. The purpose of it is to keep an honest and ethical academic environment, ensure that individuals are properly prepared, and to set guidelines to explore new ideas while acknowledging the work done by others. Any time a student cuts corners, like receiving unauthorized help, fabricating a document, failing to correctly cite, or simply cheating, that student acts academically dishonest. This type of behavior threatens the value of hard work, a student’s reputation, and the quality of a student’s degree. Although I had some understanding of the value of academic integrity, I can’t lie and say I was never tempted to cheat during my college experience.
My sophomore year I took a challenging biology course. The majority of the semester I struggled to understand the concepts I was being taught and I fell significantly behind. Towards the end of the semester, I believed I had no other option but to cheat. Luckily, I came to my senses and remembered that an academic integrity violation would have made my goal of going to graduate school nearly impossible. I decided I would much rather earn my grade of a 60% than risk getting caught for cheating. Cheating was just not worth it because the consequences for violating the Academic Integrity policy can range from loss of credit for the work involved to more severe sanctions like expulsion. Expulsion from the university is not only a permanent separation from the UA but from all three public Arizona universities.
The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to ensure that the university has a safe, respectful, and conducive learning and working environment for individuals of the campus community. The Dean of Students Office addresses any violations to the code of conduct. They do so by first letting students know there was a potential violation, then they give the opportunity for the student to respond to these allegations, and finally the Dean of Students Office determines whether it is more likely than not that a violation has occurred. Sanctions for a code of conduct violation are different depending on the severity of the violation, and can range from taking a workshop to expulsion.
It can be a learning experience when a student is held accountable for a code of conduct violation. My freshman year of college, I had a close friend who became caught up in the party scene. It became so severe that it started to become a health concern and eventually police were involved and charges were filed. I definitely think that this moment served as a wake up call for my friend because they had so much to lose if they continued the path they were on. I know from working at the front desk and through my friend’s experience that the UA is concerned for students’ well-being and keeping the campus community safe. The university wants to ensure that students not only have the tools to learn their limits, but the tools to make more educated decisions later on.
My front desk job has also helped me uncover some great pieces of information that I wish to share with all students: 1) the importance of meeting with your academic advisor. Not only will this keep you on track academically, but if anything arises (e.g. the need to retake a class) advisors are the most knowledgeable on what course of action to take. 2) Dean’s Excuses are only for university-sanctioned events and absences that are not university-related should be coordinated with your professor. If you are unable to contact your professor due to an emergency, an emergency notification can be sent out on your behalf. 3) don’t be scared to ask for academic or personal help when you need it. There are services on campus like tutors from the Think Tank, Counseling and Psych Services, Student Assistance for students in crisis, Disability Resource Center accommodations, and an array of cultural centers that provide support and community to their students.
It is surprising to me when I think that a front desk position could teach me so much about being a student. Understanding what it means to be a Wildcat came through my experience, my friends’ experiences, and even the students I saw walk into the office. This background fully shapes who I am now, and helped me succeed in my goals of graduating with two Bachelor of Science degrees and getting accepted into graduate school. More importantly, this background helped me learn that the college experience depends on what you make of it. If you understand your rights and expectations, explore what this campus has to offer, and enjoy your time as a Wildcat, it can bring you on great and unexpected journeys.
The dean of students, currently Kendal Washington White*, is the university administrator responsible for a variety of student life concerns. The Dean of Students Office is an organizational unit that supports student success and connects students to their faculty and administration. They advocate for you, help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a student, are a place where you can ask questions or express concerns, and can connect you to various resources for your success.
In Fall 2024, Chrissy Lieberman is the Interim Dean of Students.
The Code of Academic Integrity outlines your commitment to and responsibility for honest and ethical behavior as a member of the University of Arizona learning community. It includes what is expected of you as a scholar, what is defined as academic dishonesty and prohibited conduct, and how Code of Academic Integrity violations are processed on our campus.
The Student Code of Conduct is a policy that governs student behavior. Approved by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), the code defines what behaviors are prohibited by UA students. Violations of the Code of Conduct are investigated by the Dean of Students Office. While not the most riveting read, it is a good idea to understand the Code of Conduct to which you are held accountable, as well as the processes and student rights and responsibilities outlined by the Dean of Students Office.
About the author
name: Carlos Leonel Moreno
Carlos Leonel Moreno is a first-generation Mexican-American from Tucson, Arizona. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 2021, earning a Bachelor of Science in two areas: speech, language, & hearing sciences and literacy, learning, & leadership. He is currently working on a Master of Arts in educational psychology, with the hope of supporting the next generation of students and providing a more equitable field for students of color.
The dean of students, currently Kendal Washington White*, is the university administrator responsible for a variety of student life concerns. The Dean of Students Office is an organizational unit that supports student success and connects students to their faculty and administration. They advocate for you, help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a student, are a place where you can ask questions or express concerns, and can connect you to various resources for your success.
In Fall 2024, Chrissy Lieberman is the Interim Dean of Students.
The Code of Academic Integrity outlines your commitment to and responsibility for honest and ethical behavior as a member of the University of Arizona learning community. It includes what is expected of you as a scholar, what is defined as academic dishonesty and prohibited conduct, and how Code of Academic Integrity violations are processed on our campus.
The Student Code of Conduct is a policy that governs student behavior. Approved by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), the code defines what behaviors are prohibited by UA students. Violations of the Code of Conduct are investigated by the Dean of Students Office. While not the most riveting read, it is a good idea to understand the Code of Conduct to which you are held accountable, as well as the processes and student rights and responsibilities outlined by the Dean of Students Office.
