STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS

Effective: August 15, 2024

Purpose: To outline the rights of students of the University

Scope: The policy applies to all University students campus wide.

Responsible Office: Enrollment Management and Student Success

Policy Statement: Viewing the University as a community, the Associated Students of Emporia State University believe that the entire community should share the responsibility for shaping standards of conduct and the character of services to be provided.

It is recognized that students, as members of this community, must conduct themselves in a manner which does not violate the rights and freedoms of others. All members of this community, student, faculty, and staff of Emporia State University, have the responsibility to uphold the principles within this statement policy.

With this understanding, this policy establishes a Bill of Rights for students.

Article I Rights of the Individual

Section 1.

The rights enumerated herein, shall not be construed as to nullify or limit any other rights possessed by students.

Section 2.

Any individual shall have the right to be admitted to Emporia State University in accordance with University admissions policy without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, handicap or disability, status as a Vietnam Era Veteran, or sexual orientation.

Section 3.

A student shall be exempt from disciplinary action or dismissal from the University except for academic failure, failure to pay a University debt, or violation of a student or University policy, rule, or procedure. Policies, rules, and procedures shall be established and clearly stated prior to any charge of violation. The University shall have no legal authority over a student when the student is outside the University’s jurisdiction. A student shall be subject to local, state, and federal regulations.

Article II Rights of the Student

Section 1. Academic Rights

1.1  The student has the right to legitimate classroom discussion and to recommend consideration of alternative opinions to those presented in the classroom.

1.2  The student has the right to appropriate use of University facilities in pursuing an academic career.

1.3  The student has the right to entrance to any academic field of study available at the University in accordance with the requirements of the academic program of that field.

1.4  The student has the right to have an instructor present within reasonable limits, during all designated class meetings.

1.5  The student has the right to remain enrolled in a course for its duration, in accordance with syllabus policy, as long as academic dishonesty is not involved and as long as other students' rights are not violated.

1.6  The student has the right to evaluate individual courses and faculty according to procedures established by the academic units/divisions.

1.7  For purposes of granting academic credit, the student will be evaluated on the basis of knowledge and academic performance, and not on the student's personal or political beliefs.

1.8  The student shall have the right, if dissatisfied with a grade in a class and if satisfactory negotiations with the instructor are not accomplished, to be referred to the academic appeals policy available in the Associated Student Government office.

Section 2. Campus Community

2.1  The student has the right to have access to all rules, rates, and regulations deriving from contractual agreements with the University before signing any contract. Contracts shall be written in a language University students can readily understand.

2.2  While on campus the right of privacy against unauthorized search and seizure will be protected as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. However, students are bound by policies stated in contractual agreements that they sign (i.e., leases, residence hall contracts, and other University policies).

2.3  Students have the right to invite and hear speakers of their choice on subjects of their choice. Approval will not be withheld by the University officers for the purpose of censorship.

2.4  Students have the right to have their views and welfare considered in the formation of University policy, through consultation by or representation on University committees which affect students as members of the University community.

2.5  Associated Student Government, through the actions of the Student Senate, shall have the right to be informed and the right to express the concerns of students on any proposed changes of University policies on fees.

2.6  Recognizing that freedom requires order, discipline, and responsibility and further recognizing the right of all faculty and students to pursue their legitimate goals without interference in accordance with University policy, students are free to assemble, to demonstrate, to communicate, and to protest.

2.7  Students shall not be denied equal employment opportunity on account of age, race, color, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, handicap or disability, status as a Vietnam Era Veteran, or sexual orientation. Students have the right to be interviewed on campus for any position for which they meet the qualifications specified by any prospective employer permitted to recruit on campus.

2.8  The established policy of the Board of Regents of the State of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religious faith, or national origin within the institutions under its jurisdiction. All fraternal and campus-related organizations shall follow this policy for the selection of their members, except the prohibition against sex discrimination shall not apply to social fraternities and sororities which are excluded from the application of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.).

Section 3. Organizations

3.1  Students are free to form, join and participate in any group for intellectual, religious, social, economic, political, or cultural purposes.

3.2  Students have the right, individually or in association with other individuals, to engage in off-campus activities, provided they do not in any way purport to represent the University.

3.3 Students are free to use Memorial Union facilities for meetings or organizations, recognized by Associated Student Government, subject to uniform policies, rules, and procedures governing the use of the facility.

Section 4. Publications

4.1 Publication and dissemination of student views will be free from censorship as long as these are not represented as the views of Emporia State University.

4.2 Official publications of the University, The Bulletin and the Sunflower, shall obey the provisions set forth in the Constitution of the Student Publication Board.

4.3 A student or student organization has the right to publish and distribute written material on campus without the approval of the administration unless University facilities are used; further, the administration shall make no effort to suppress such publications unless such distribution disrupts the regular and essential operation of the University.

4.4 Publications shall not bear the name or logo of the University or purport to issue from it without University approval.

Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.

Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Enrollment Management and Student Success.

[Student and Student Life procedures - coming soon]

Related Policy Information: [coming soon]