Commission on Regulatory Procedures and Trinity College Council records

The Commission on Regulatory Procedures originated from a May 1968 faculty resolution in an effort to change the way Trinity College managed its disciplinary procedures and governance after a student sit-in took place in the administration building in April. The commission consisted of twelve members--three representatives each--from the trustees, the faculty, the administration, and the student body. Its assignment was to develop specific recommendations for the implementation of new disciplinary and judicial systems at Trinity College. The commission met four times over the summer of 1968, with a final report of recommendations delivered to Trinity College President, Theodore Lockwood, on August 28 for acceptance by the four constituent bodies.

After having been invited to attend the July 2 commission meeting, President Lockwood called for the creation of a separate advisory body which would discuss important matters before the whole college--Trinity College Council--and which would include four faculty members, four members of the administration, and four student representatives. President Lockwood believed the council would be beneficial to the development of a program for legislative improvement and coordination. Trinity College Council had its first meeting on September 11, 1968.

In 1970, a new Trinity College Council consisted of 22 members, including eight students, eight faculty members, two alumni, two administrators, one staff member, and one parent. Its major project at that point was the revision of the student handbook. By the 1973-1974 academic year, activities of Trinity College Council had waned, and some questioned its continued feasibility and existence. President Lockwood, however, remained convinced of the council's importance, citing its "unique capacity to sense and to raise issues of major and general significance to the College." He believed the council was able to effect change more rapidly on campus than other groups, especially with its special connection to his office. Mention of the Trinity College Council in the student handbooks ceased with the 1975-1976 academic year.

In 1978, President Lockwood rallied for the renewal of the Trinity College Council as a response to a Student Government Association (SGA) petition calling for better communication between students and the administration. Though some supported this idea, others debated the nature of the function of the council and its jurisdiction, and ultimately the SGA did not agree to resurrect the Trinity College Council.