Policies + Procedures — Student Policies — Student Body Bill of Rights

3.10 Student Body Bill of Rights

I. Purpose

To ensure that students are afforded fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and association, protection against improper academic evaluation and disclosure, and a guarantee of due process in disciplinary hearings.

II. Scope

Applicable to all students.

III. General

Bucks County Community College values a culture of learning that encourages respect for the individual, freedom of inquiry, open-minded civil discourse, an appreciation of diversity and an understanding of world cultures, and responsible citizenship. The following Bill of Rights outlines the fundamental elements of student involvement and conduct within the college community.

Access to Higher Education – see policy 3.1 Admissions
Student Records – see policy 1.19 FERPA
Classroom Settings
Student Rights
1. Protection of Freedom of Expression. Students should be free to take reasoned
  exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.
2. Protection against Improper Academic Evaluation. Students should have protection through orderly procedures against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation. At the same time, they are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. See related policy 2.11, Grade Challenges.
3. Protection against Improper Disclosure. Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations that professors acquire in the course of their work as instructors, advisers, and counselors should be considered confidential unless threat of harm to self or others exists. Judgments of ability and character may be provided under appropriate circumstances (for example, a reference letter for employment) normally with the knowledge and consent of the student.
Non-classroom Activities

Bucks County Community College supports the following rights of students with regard to non-classroom activities.

Student Rights
1. Freedom of association / freedom to exercise citizenship rights. Students have the right to organize and join associations to promote their common interests. Students must follow college guidelines for clubs and organizations to be officially recognized by the college. Students have the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly as long as it does not interfere with the learning environment and other normal activities of the college.
2. Freedom of inquiry and expression in student organizations. Students have the right to examine and discuss questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately as long as others' rights are not violated in the process.
3. Freedom of responsible expression in student publications. Students involved with student publications have the right to editorial freedom, including freedom from censorship; however, students also have the responsibility to uphold the practice of responsible journalism.
4. Guarantee of due process in disciplinary proceedings. Students have the right to a fair hearing when charged with a violation of college policy. See Policy 3.9 Student Responsibilities for Conduct for details.
5. Freedom to participate in student governance. Students are encouraged to express their views on issues of institutional policy and on matters of general interest to the student body. The college provides such opportunities through the Student Government Association and through participation on college governance committees.