Scope
Students
Policy Statement
1. SPEECH/EXPRESSION/PRESS
Students have the right to express themselves freely on any subject provided they do so in a manner that does not violate the Code of Student Conduct. Students, in turn, have the responsibility to respect the rights of all members of the University to exercise these freedoms.
2. NON-DISCRIMINATION
Students have the right not to be discriminated against by any agent or organization of Syracuse University for reasons of age, creed, ethnic or national origin, gender, disability, marital status, political or social affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, or any other protected class as described by law. In their individual roles as members of student organizations, students have the responsibility not to discriminate against others.
3. ASSEMBLY/PROTEST
Students have the right to assemble in an orderly manner and engage in peaceful protest, demonstration, and picketing, which does not disrupt the functions of the University, threaten the health or safety of any person, or violate the Code of Student Conduct.
4. RELIGION/ASSOCIATION
Students have the right to exercise their religious convictions and associate with religious, political, or other organizations of their choice in University facilities, provided they do so in a manner that respects the rights of other members of the community and complies with the Code of Student Conduct. Students have the responsibility to respect the rights of other members of the University community to free exercise of their religious convictions and to free association with organizations of their choice.
5. PRIVACY/SEARCH/SEIZURE
Students have the right of privacy and to be free from unreasonable searches or unlawful arrest on University property and within their campus residences. Students have the responsibility to respect the privacy of other members of the University community in their person and in their place of residence.
6. ACADEMIC PURSUITS
Students have the right to accurate and plainly stated information relating to maintenance of acceptable academic standing, graduation requirements, and individual course objectives and requirements. Students can expect instruction from designated instructors at appointed class times and reasonable access to those instructors. Students have the responsibility to attend class and know their appropriate academic requirements.
7. QUALITY ENVIRONMENT
Students have the right to expect a reasonably safe environment supportive of the University’s Mission and their own educational goals. Students have the responsibility to protect and maintain that environment and to protect themselves from all hazards to the extent that reasonable behavior and precaution can avoid risk.
8. GOVERNANCE/PARTICIPATION
Students have the right to establish representative governmental bodies and to participate in University governance in accordance with the rules and regulations of the University. Students who accept representative roles in the governance of the University have the obligation to participate responsibly.
9. FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS
Students have the right to fundamental fairness before formal disciplinary sanctions are imposed by the University for violations of the Code of Student Conduct-as provided in the published procedures of the University’s Student Conduct System or other official University publications. Students have the right to written notice and the opportunity for a hearing before any change in status is incurred for disciplinary reasons unless a significant threat to persons or property exists.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY
Students have the right to access and control access to their education records as provided in the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, also known as the “Buckley Amendment.” These include the rights to review and challenge the content of educational records, to control disclosure of personal and academic information to third parties, and to limit the routine disclosure of all or some information defined as “directory information” by the act.*
*The above statement is also true for international students and scholars, except where specified by the legislation, rules, and regulations governing the particular visa status.
Policy Administration
Links to Procedures and Related Information
Amended: October 2005