Student Bill of Rights

Transcription

1 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Student Bill of Rights We, the Student Government Board of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, on behalf of the student body which we represent, in order to encourage free thought, ensure just treatment of students, and promote exceptional opportunities of learning in higher education, hereby establish this Student Bill of Rights. Section I: Academic Rights A. Timely Graduation: Students shall have the right to be provided a program when feasible for specified majors that will enable them to complete their undergraduate studies in four years. B. Syllabi: Students have the right to be provided with a list of course requirements and grading procedures in a comprehensive syllabus. The syllabus shall follow all University and departmental standards and guidelines. A professor wishing to change their syllabus shall have the right to do so, so long as they provide the students with reasonable notice. See Kutztown University Policy ACA 036, Course Guides for more C. Faculty and Advisor Availability: Students at Kutztown University have a right to meet with their professors and academic advisors; faculty and advisors shall maintain regular office hours at reasonable times. Students shall be able to make appointments with professors and advisors should those regular office hours conflict with their schedule. 1 K u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y S t u d e n t B i l l o f R i g h t s

2 See Agreement between APSCUF and PASSHE, Article 4, Duties and Responsibilities of Faculty Members for more D. Course and Program Selection: Students shall have the responsibility for course and program selection as well as meeting academic requirements for graduation. See Kutztown University Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 2 for more detailed information. E. Evaluations: Students shall have the right to periodic evaluations of services rendered to them by the University. These shall include (but not be limited to) the right to periodically evaluate instructors and academic advisors. See Agreement between APSCUF and PASSHE, Article 12, Performance Review and Evaluation of Faculty for more F. Expression in the Classroom: Students have the right to orderly expression in the classroom without penalty. See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 2 for more G. Fairness in Grading: Students at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania have the right to be graded wholly without bias. In addition, students have a right to a course grade based on the instructor s judgment of demonstrated performance in the course. A student may appeal a grade that was not fairly determined via the Grade Appeals Board. See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Students Rights & Welfare, Article 2 & Kutztown University Policy ACA 047, Grade Appeal, for more H. Privacy in the Classroom: Students have the right to protection against unprofessional disclosure by an instructor concerning their grades, beliefs, political association, health, or character. See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 2 for more Section II: Rights Regarding Student Life A. Student Government: Students shall have the right to a student government of council governed by a constitution drafted by the students. The leadership of this council shall have the right to meet regularly with the University President, Deans of 2 K u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y S t u d e n t B i l l o f R i g h t s

3 Colleges, and other administrative leaders. See the Constitution of the Student Government Association of Kutztown University & the By- Laws of the Student Government Board of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania for more B. Military and Veteran Friendly: Students who are U.S. military veterans or are personnel attending Kutztown University of Pennsylvania shall be treated with the utmost honor and respect. Kutztown University shall make accommodations to military scheduling and employment in service to our country. See Kutztown University Policy ACA 082: Veteran and Active Duty Military- Course Scheduling for more C. Quality Housing: Students have the right to safe, quality housing to every student living on-campus. Kutztown University Housing, Residential Life, and Dining Services shall respond to resident concerns in a timely manner. See the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Key, Chapter 4, Residence Hall Policies for more D. Freedom from Censorship: Kutztown University of Pennsylvania identifies that its students have the right to publish articles in student journals and newspapers and be free from censorship in those publications. Students have the freedom to express themselves in their publications or fear of recrimination or punishment so long as those students adhere to ethical, journalistic, and legal standards. Responsible and accurate journalism is demanded of all students who publish in a student newspaper or other media outlet. To those students who would bring harm to the University by publishing misinformation maliciously or in haste, this right shall be forfeited. See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 6: Communication Media for more E. Due Process: Students at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania have the right to a judicial hearing before a judicial board to determine possible violations of the Code of Student Conduct. The Key contains the Code of Student Conduct, Student Judicial Programs, and Judicial Procedures. See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 4: Due Process for more F. Freedom of Association: Students at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania are free to organize and join associations to promote their common interest, as appropriate. 3 K u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y S t u d e n t B i l l o f R i g h t s

4 See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 1: Freedom of Association, Expression, and Inquiry for more G. Privacy of Student Records: Students maintain privacy rights in exercising control over what information or data about themselves retained by Kutztown University of Pennsylvania may be disclosed in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. See Kutztown University Policy STU 033, Policy on Confidentiality of Student Records for more H. Use of a Preferred Name: Students have the right to use a preferred first/given name in University documents and process except where the use of the official legal name is required by University business or legal obligation. See Kutztown University Policy STU 036, Student Preferred Name for more detailed information. I. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodations to allow them to undertake academic tasks essential to programs of instruction. Accommodations are to be provided to students with disabilities in the areas of identification, admissions, housing, and selection of courses, documentation, and academics. See Kutztown University Policy DIV 004, Services for Students with Disabilities for more J. Respect for Diversity and Cultural Differences: Students reserve the right to an environment free of unlawful discrimination based on an individual s sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or veteran status. Additionally, students reserve the right to an environment free of harassment as well as sexual harassment. See Kutztown University Policy DIV 008, Anti-Discrimination Policy and Procedures, Kutztown University Policy DIV 007, Sexual Harassment, Kutztown University Policy DIV 009 Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures for more K. University Governance Committees: The students shall have the right to send representation to major University governance committees. All of the students serving on these committees shall be appointed by the Student Government Board of Kutztown University. See Kutztown University Governance at for more 4 K u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y S t u d e n t B i l l o f R i g h t s

5 L. Health Services: Student shall have the right to quality health care and health education to students who have paid the semester health center fee. See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Key, Chapter 4, Health and Wellness for more To deprive a student of any of these rights is to undermine the very essence and purpose of higher education. Students seek out opportunities to better themselves and mold together their future. To do that, students must be allowed to reach their own conclusions in a fair and unbiased environment where they feel comfortable to express their own opinions. Provisions provided in this Student Bill of Rights shall not supersede or replace current university policies and procedures. This document shall be reviewed and/or revised by the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Student Government Board on an annual basis. Effective Date: March 29, 2016 Last Review: 5 K u t z t o w n U n i v e r s i t y S t u d e n t B i l l o f R i g h t s