Student's Rights and Responsibilities

Student’s Rights and Responsibilities may serve as a policy statement for problems that develop between a staff member and a student.  Usually a conflict is the result of a simple misunderstanding of what is expected from the other person.  Direct communication between the student and the staff member will usually resolve these matters.  The following regulations incorporate a definition of Student's Rights and Responsibilities and both formal and informal means of the due process and conflict resolution.

STUDENT’S RIGHTS

  1. Right of access to scheduled class meetings and appropriate instructional and support services.
  2. Right to a syllabus describing course objectives; evaluation procedures; major course requirements such as term papers, book reviews, field trips and reports; and rules of attendance, grading, and conduct.
  3. Right to have instruction that begins promptly; is presented in a clear and concise manner; and provides relevant, structured activities consistent with the contact hour requirement of the course.
  4. Right to be treated in a humane, ethical, fair and unbiased manner, both in the classroom and in all communication and contact with the instructor.
  5. The concerned student should request an individual conference with the staff member involved to clarify and remedy the specific violation.  Start where the problem originated.
  6. If the matter is not resolved, the student may pick up a Conflict Resolution Form (in the Deans’ Offices) and request a conference with the appropriate supervisor.

STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Responsible for selecting a program of study that is consistent with his/her interests, skills and abilities.
  2. Responsible for selecting courses that are consistent with his/her program objective and readiness levels.
  3. Responsible for enrolling for a schedule of courses in accordance with the time and effort allocated to academic requirements.
  4. Responsible for being punctual and attending classes.
  5. Responsible for being attentive and for appropriately participating in class activities.
  6. Responsible for completing all class assignments as directed by the instructor.
  7. Responsible for consulting with the instructor as soon as possible if problems arise.
  8. Responsible for complying with official announcements.
  9. Responsible for seeking appropriate support services, to improve his/her level of academic achievement and to enhance the quality of college life.
  10. Responsible for behaving in a humane, ethical and unbiased manner both in the classroom and in all communication and contact with the instructor, other staff members and other students.

APPEAL PROCEDURES

A substantial violation of a student’s rights may be appealed in accordance with the following procedure:

Disciplinary Appeal

  1. The concerned student should request an individual conference with the staff member involved to clarify and remedy the specific violation.
  2. If the matter is not resolved, the student may request a conference with the appropriate supervisor.
  3. If the matter is a disciplinary problem and is not resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, the student may request a hearing with the Student Disciplinary Committee.  The Student Disciplinary Committee is an Ad-Hoc Committee consisting of two faculty members, two student representatives and a professional from the Advising Center. The student must present a written appeal to the Student Disciplinary Committee which sets forth the reasons for the appeal.  The student will be afforded an opportunity to state the appeal informally, or present information in support of the appeal, including mitigating circumstances.
  4. If the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, the student or staff member may request a conference with the Dean of Student Services.

Academic Appeal

  1. If the matter is an academic problem and is not resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, the student may request a hearing with the Academic Standards Committee.  The Academic Standards Committee is composed of three persons from academic faculty and two from vocational faculty.  The Director of Admissions & Records serves on this committee as a non-voting member and recorder.  The student must present a written appeal to the Academic Standards Committee that sets forth the reasons for the appeal. The student will be afforded an opportunity to state the appeal informally, or present information in support of the appeal, including mitigating circumstances.
  2. If the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, the student or the instructor may request a conference with the Dean of Instruction.

 

Steps 1, 2, 3, and 5 will normally involve the identification of the rights allegedly violated, specific circumstances and the presentation of evidence.

Steps 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 may involve a joint meeting with the instructor and student.