Students’ Rights
Students have a right through the Office of Student Affairs to be heard in matters that affect their rights and responsibilities.
Students have the right to take stands on issues, to examine and discuss questions of interest, and to support legal causes by orderly means that do not disrupt College operations or interfere with the rights of others.
Students have the right to freedom of expression by word or symbol as long as it does not materially or substantially interfere with the orderly operation of the College or with the rights of others. This right of expression protects neither criminal conduct nor lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct and expression.
College-authorized student publications and communications shall be guaranteed the rights inherent in the concept of "freedom of the press." All publications and broadcasts shall be subject to the canons of responsible journalism, including the avoidance of libel, avoidance of indecency or obscenity, undocumented allegations, and techniques of harassment and innuendo.
The Leadership Council and all student organizations approved by the Vice President of Student Affairs may meet on school premises provided they make arrangements in accordance with the rules and regulations for room and space reservation. Students and/or student groups may not make reservations in their name for outside groups or organizations to use College facilities.
Only the Leadership Council and student organizations approved by the Vice President of Student Affairs have the right to invite and hear any person of their own choosing for the purpose of hearing the person’s ideas and opinions. The President of the College or his or her authorized representative may cancel a speaker’s reservation where clear and present danger exists that the appearance would threaten the orderly operation of the College. The appropriate person will communicate such cancelation to the sponsoring organization.
Students have the right to due process when charged with an infraction. Due process includes a speedy hearing, the opportunity to face and question an accuser, the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses on their behalf, the right to have a faculty advisor of their own choosing present at all stages of the hearing and appeal, and the right to appeal.
Students have the right to have their academic and disciplinary records kept confidential subject to existing law. The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) applies to all schools that receive funding under an applicable program of the U. S. Department of Education. These rights transfer to the students or former students who have reached the age of 18 or who are attending school beyond high school. Schools may disclose, without consent, directory information, such as student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance; unless parents or students request that the schools not disclose directory information about them. The College will keep no official records that reflect any alleged political activity or belief of a student. No official records of students will be available to unauthorized persons within the school without the express written consent of the student involved, except under legal compulsion.