Student Rights and Responsibilities
Introduction
Our colleges and universities bear a special obligation to serve
as exemplars of respect for individuals. Such respect underlies the
trust relationship that is the foundation of our free institutions.
Such respect must also underlie the university-student relationships
if both are to progress. Such a relationship cannot thrive when
insufficient attention is given to the issue of students' rights and
responsibilities.
The Student Rights and Responsibilities rely heavily upon the
concept that the student-faculty relationship is a partnership that
is one of co-learning toward common objectives. The University
believes that our community of learning has an equal responsibility
to all of its members; indeed it cannot exist without the
contribution of each.
The following rights and responsibilities will mean nothing
unless a relationship of trust exists among the students,
administration, and faculty of California State University,
Fullerton.
Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge,
the pursuit of truth, the intellectual growth of their members, and
the general well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression
are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of
the academic community, students should be encouraged to develop
critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent
search for truth. Since freedom of inquiry and expression are
meaningless if freedom of expression does not include freedom to
act, the academic community must not only permit but should also
encourage all forms of action which do not interfere with the rights
of other individuals or groups or with the essential functions of
the academic community.
An academic community which fosters freedom may find itself in
conflict with other segments of society, for freedom stimulates the
passion for creation, experiment, and change. Only by choosing the
course that vigorously defines rights and freedom while maintaining
responsibilities can a university truly keep its pledge to the
scholars of the past and to those of the future.
The relationship between California State University, Fullerton
and its students must be viewed in the light of the function of the
university to transmit to its students the civilization of the past,
to enable them to take part in the civilization of the present, and
to contribute to the civilization of the future.
In this great pursuit, the student must be viewed as an
individual who is most likely to attain maturity as a critical
thinker, if left free to make personal decisions and to exercise the
rights, as well as shoulder the responsibilities, of citizenship on
and off the campus.
It is the policy of California State University, Fullerton to
create and maintain an environment that values diversity, respects
human dignity, is hospitable, equitable, and tolerant, and in which
all persons are free from all forms of invidious discrimination or
discriminatory harassment.
California State University, Fullerton challenges and summons its
students, faculty, staff and administration to promote a hospitable
and equitable learning environment for all persons; asserts that
tolerance for diversity shall be the norm for behavior on the part
of all who are present on the campus; discourages the use of
derogatory or disparaging language and other forms of expression;
and, particularly, condemns those who insult persons on the basis of
race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion,
creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or
veteran status.
This document provides a statement of general policy concerning
the rights and responsibilities of students. The rights enumerated
in this document are not to be interpreted as excluding other rights
commonly accepted in the academic community. The responsibilities
outlined in this document are not to be interpreted as the sole
responsibilities of a CSUF student. Other official university
documents such as the University Catalog, course schedule, and
student handbook also outline student responsibilities and rights.
Rights
1. Right of Freedom of Expression
- Every aspect of the educational process should promote the
free expression of ideas. Students are free to pass resolutions,
distribute leaflets, picket, circulate petitions, discuss, and
take other lawful action respecting any matter, which directly
or indirectly concerns or affects them, subject only to
reasonable time, place and manner considerations.
- Students have the right of freedom of speech and assembly.
They may publicly assemble to demonstrate support for or
opposition to causes or candidates. University control of campus
facilities shall not be used to prevent the free exchange of
ideas. The prescribed areas of public assembly shall not be
isolated from the natural gathering points of the University.
- Students free to invite and hear speakers of their choice.
- Students are free to express reasoned verbal exception to
the data or views offered in courses of study and to reserve
personal judgment as to the truth or falsity of what is
presented.
2. Right of Fair and Equal Evaluation
- Students have the right to a just measurement of their
performance by the professor. Instructors shall take no action
to penalize students because of their opinions or because of
their conduct outside the classroom. This right holds also for
such matters as confidential evaluations, consideration of
advancement to degree candidacy, and continuance in a major.
- Students shall have protection through orderly procedures
against prejudiced, capricious or arbitrary academic evaluation. The
method of grading by professors shall be made known to students.
Students can expect that faculty will be willing to explain and
discuss any grade, and students have the right to appeal any grade.
3. Right of Input into University Governance and
Instructional Programs
The functioning of the educational community requires an
awareness of mutual responsibility, understanding, trust, and
respect in order that all its members may actively contribute to the
development of policies and programs. This purpose shall be achieved
through continuous cooperation within the educational community.
- Students shall be free individually and collectively to
express their views on issues of institutional policy and on
matters of interest to the student body. Students are guaranteed
the right of participation in those aspects of university
governance which relate to the interests of the student body.
- Students shall have an active voice in (1) the making of
University policy and procedure affecting their co-curricular
activities or academic affairs, and (2) the formulation and
implementation of standards of student conduct.
4. Right of Free Association
Students are free to organize and join associations to promote
common interests. Affiliation with an extra-mural organization will
not disqualify a student organization from University recognition.
- Student organization leaders have the right to determine the
role of the faculty or staff advisor and to describe this role
in appropriate governing documents. Student organizations that
wish to access a certain level of privileges may be required to
have a faculty or staff advisor. However, it should be noted
that advisors will not be held responsible for organizational
activities over which they do not have authority or control.
- Institutional recognition will be granted to all student
organizations provided stated goals and proposed activities are
legal and consistent with University rules and regulations.
- Student organizations shall not be required to submit a list of
membership. A list of formal representatives of the organization is
required for informational purposes only.
- Student organizations shall be open to all students without
respect to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability,
or sexual orientation, except for religious qualifications, which
may be required by organizations whose aims are primarily sectarian.
Greek-letter social organizations are exempt from the gender
discrimination provision as per federal law.
- Student organizations may be held accountable for the individual
actions of their members if such acts are directly related to the
student organization or if other student organization members were
aware of the acts and did not take appropriate action to stop or
prevent them.
5. Protection Against Improper Disclosure
- Information about student views, beliefs, and political
associations which University employees acquire privately in the
course of their work as instructors advisors, and counselors
shall be considered confidential. Since improper disclosure of
this information could have a damaging effect to the environment
of free inquiry and expression necessary to quality higher
education, protection against improper disclosure of
confidential information regarding students is a professional
obligation of faculty members and administrative staff.
- Student records will be released only under legal compulsion
or the written request of the student involved. If records are
subpoenaed, the student shall receive the same information and
the name of the subpoenaing agency.
- Information from student educational records will be
considered confidential in accordance with the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
- When a student has been found responsible for a violation of
University standards through Judicial Affairs, a disciplinary record
(separate from the student’s academic record) will be maintained in
a confidential file in the Dean of Students Office, Judicial
Affairs, for a minimum of seven years. If a student is suspended or
expelled from the University, the file shall be kept permanently.
Probation and suspension are noted on the student’s academic record
during the term of the probation or suspension. A permanent notation
will be made on the student’s academic record if he or she is
expelled from the University. If a student is found not responsible,
all files will be purged.
Disciplinary records are considered education records under the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and as such can only be
released in accordance with those regulations.
6. Right of Use of Facilities and Resources
- Student organizations shall be provided access to the
campus' resources and facilities in accordance with the policies
and procedures specified in the Facility Use Manual and other
Campus Policy.
- Campus facilities will be made available to all recognized
student organizations on a non-discriminatory basis.
7. Right of Access to Relevant Education
- Students are entitled to an atmosphere conducive to learning
and to equitable treatment in all aspects of the teacher-student
relationship. Faculty must be mindful of the potential
intimidating effect in the unequal power relationship between
teacher and student. Faculty members shall not refuse to enroll
or teach students on the grounds of their beliefs or the
possible uses to which they may put the knowledge gained in a
course. The student shall not be forced by the authority
inherent in the instructional role to make particular personal
choices as to political action or his/her own part in society.
- Students have the right to expect appropriate instruction under
the guidance of the instructor at the times scheduled except in
mitigating circumstances. Repeated nonperformance or repeated lack
of preparation by the instructor violates this right.
Teaching plays a primary role in the advancement of learning.
Students have a vested interest in the nature and quality of
instruction; therefore, their evaluation of teaching shall be a
criterion considered in faculty promotion and tenure. Freedom to
teach and to learn implies that faculty members have the right to
determine the specific content of their courses within the
established course definitions, and have responsibility not to
depart significantly from their areas of competence or to divert
significant time to material extraneous to the subject matter of
their courses.
8. Right to Freedom of the Press
- It is the right and duty of the communications media on this
campus to present news, opinion, and editorial comment and to
provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas. At the same
time, individuals operating and individuals contributing to
these media are bound to recognize that these rights are to be
practiced within the limits of prevailing law, University
policies, and the canons of journalism.
- Students using media, such as broadcasting, film, and print,
including pamphlets, handbills and circulars are guaranteed freedom
from censorship.
Those originating communications should be left free to exercise
their own best judgment in the selection of materials. Neither a
faculty member nor an administrator should exercise veto power over
what may be disseminated.
9. Right of Due Process
- The student shall have the right of due process.
- Disciplinary actions against students are governed by the
Executive Order No. 628 Student Disciplinary Procedures for the
California State University.
- The student shall be considered innocent until proven responsible
for a violation of University Standards. The status of a student in
most cases will not be altered and disciplinary sanctions will not
be initiated until completion of the disciplinary process. However,
interim action may be initiated by the President, where there is
reasonable cause to believe that it is required to protect safety or
property and to ensure the maintenance of order.
- Activities of students may result in violations of the law,
and students who violate the law may incur penalties prescribed
by civil authorities. However, the University reserves the right
to review such incidents independent of action by civil
authorities, recognizing that the University’s authority and its
disciplinary process serve its educational mission and interest,
a function separate from action by civil authorities.
Responsibilities
A. The University
It is the responsibility of the University faculty and
administration to act in a manner which benefits the students at
California State University, Fullerton. It is also their
responsibility to uphold the rights of students and to obey the
letter and the spirit of such rights.
If any student has evidence a member of the faculty or
administration acts in a way which violates students’ rights as
addressed in this document, the student is urged to consult first
with the faculty/staff member, if appropriate. If necessary, the
student should then consult with the appropriate supervisors or
administrators at higher levels of responsibility. If the student is
not satisfied with the results of this consultation process, he/she
may request a hearing before the Student Academic Life Committee.
This Committee will make its recommendations on the merits of the
case and on subsequent actions to the appropriate Vice President(s).
It shall be the responsibility of the Office of the Vice President
for Student Affairs and the Dean of Students Office to disseminate
this policy. It shall be understood that these offices will develop
more specific guidelines and procedures to administer and monitor
the intent of this policy.
B. Students
Just as students have rights in the academic community, they also
have responsibilities. Students’ rights exist primarily to meet
their educational responsibilities.
All students are expected to be responsible for their own learning.
They therefore must be aware of university requirements and policies
concerning academic procedures including prerequisites for courses,
deadlines for withdrawing from class, etc. They should also consult
appropriate faculty and staff to assist in accomplishing their
academic goals.
In order to be current with policies and procedures, students have a
duty to keep their personal data with the University up to date.
Since the University exists within the framework of a larger
community which expects its members to conform to civil and criminal
laws without special privilege, students whose actions are reviewed
by outside authorities may be held accountable under both the
University’s jurisdiction and such other legal process.
1. Responsibilities: Right of Freedom of Expression
- Students’ are expected to exercise free expression in a context
of common sense and good judgment.
- Students’ actions should not interfere with the rights of others
or the function of the University.
- Students are expected to respect the intellectual views of
faculty and the reasoned process of academic debate.
2. Responsibilities: Right of Fair and Equal Evaluation
- Students are expected to evaluate faculty and student team
members fairly and responsibly. Anonymous evaluations must solely
focus on academic criteria and not on the basis of opinions and
conduct in matters unrelated to academic performance.
3. Responsibilities: Right of Substantial Input into the
Determination of University Governance and Instructional Programs
- a. Students have the responsibility to participate fully in
University governance, including serving on Campus Committees and
voting in ASI elections. In undertaking such responsibilities,
students must conduct themselves appropriately and abide by
established procedures.
b. Students who serve on university committees are expected to be
informed fully about their duties and relevant issues.
4. Responsibilities: Right of Free Association
- Student organizations’ goals and activities must be consistent
with University standards, policies, and legal requirements.
- It is the responsibility of student organizations to make clear
in their public expressions that they speak only for themselves.
- Student organizations may be held accountable for the acts of
their members if such acts are directly related to the student
organization or if members were aware of the acts and did not take
appropriate action to stop or prevent them.
5. Responsibilities: Protection Against Improper Disclosure
- Students have a responsibility to protect any student information
which they may receive in the course of any position at the
University.
- Students have a responsibility to keep confidential any
information that they may obtain that is protected under relevant
privacy law and policies.
6. Responsibilities: Right of Use of Facilities and Resources
- Student organizations and individual students must utilize
university facilities and resources in a responsible manner that
forwards the educational mission of the University.
- Student organizations and individual students may be held
financially responsible for any damage incurred by the use of
University facilities.
7. Responsibilities: Right of Access to Relevant Education
- Students have the responsibility to seek academic advisement
throughout their enrollment at the University.
- Students are expected to learn the material in each enrolled
class, and master the skills required to meet their educational
goals
- Students are expected to be adequately prepared for class.
- It is the responsibility of the student to meet appropriate
standards of academic performance and classroom conduct as stated by
the instructor.
- Students are expected to demonstrate competency in analytical and
critical thinking, as well as effective oral and written
communication.
- Students share responsibility for monitoring standards of
academic performance and classroom conduct conducive to the learning
process.
- It is the shared responsibility of students to uphold the
academic integrity of the university.
- Students may not interfere with or disrupt the learning and
teaching environment.
8. Responsibilities: Right to Freedom of the Press
- Students operating and contributing to campus media must
recognize that their rights must be practiced within the limits of
the law and the canons of journalism.
9. Responsibilities: Right of Due Process
- Students are expected to know and abide by the University’s
standards of behavior as articulated in the Student Handbook and in
related policy statements.
- In the University, as elsewhere, ignorance is not an acceptable
justification for violating University standards.
- Students are responsible for understanding their rights in
disciplinary matters and consulting with appropriate staff members.
In addition to the specific responsibilities arising in connection
with these rights, students bear a general responsibility to support
this institution's effort to maintain a spirit of free inquiry and
respect for the rights of others. This responsibility arises from
the fact that students are the present beneficiaries of that
traditional spirit and are best positioned to preserve, improve, and
transmit it to future generations. This responsibility imposes a
duty on students not only to refrain from conduct which obstructs
such effort of the institution but also to support those aspects of
institutional discipline designed to deter or prevent such conduct.
UPS 300.000
Effective: October 7, 2004
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