LCSC | Student Affairs

Student Handbook: Student Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights & Responsibilities | Disciplinary Structure | Code of Conduct | Sanctions

I. Student Rights and Responsibilities

Individual Rights

Students have the right to exercise their full rights as citizens without interference or fear of College disciplinary action.

Discrimination

Students have the right to be free from unlawful discrimination in College programs and activities. Affirmative action policies designed to eliminate discriminatory practices have been instituted. The College will not exclude any person from participating in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. Incidents of alleged discrimination committed by one student toward another fall under the provisions of this Code of Conduct, see the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Incidents which allegedly involve discrimination of a student by a member of the College staff fall under the jurisdiction of the Campus Affirmative Action Officer (Human Resources).

Sexual Harassment

Students have the right to be free from unlawful sexual harassment on College property or off College property during a College related activity. Lewis-Clark State College will not tolerate sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is generally defined as unwelcome sexual advances, including requests for sexual favors and the verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, especially when submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of a student's education or employment. Incidents of alleged sexual harassment committed by one LCSC student toward another fall under the provisions of this Code of Conduct, see the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Incidents which allegedly involve sexual harassment of a student by a member of the College staff fall under the jurisdiction of the Campus Affirmative Action Officer (Human Resources).

Racial Harassment

Students have the right to be free from unlawful racial harassment on College property or off College property during a College related activity. Lewis-Clark State College will not tolerate racial harassment. Racial harassment generally includes any behavior, physical or verbal, that victimizes or stigmatizes an individual on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, or national origin. For a further discussion of racial harassment see section number five (5) under Code of Conduct. Incidents of alleged racial harassment committed by one LCSC student toward another fall under the provisions of this Code of Conduct, see the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Incidents which allegedly involve racial harassment of a student by a member of the College staff fall under the jurisdiction of the Campus Affirmative Action Officer (Human Resources).

Academic Affairs

Students have the responsibility for selecting a major field of study, for choosing an appropriate degree program within the discipline, for planning class schedules, and ultimately for meeting the requirements for his/her degree. The College will provide advisors to assist students in academic planning, but students are responsible for obtaining copies of appropriate academic bulletins and being thoroughly familiar with all academic requirements which must be met for a degree.

Students also have the responsibility to take advantage of the educational opportunities presented by the College, to participate in the learning process in a serious and conscientious manner, and to respect the rights of other members of the College community.

Students have the right to have College classes conducted under the following provisions:

1.     Faculty will maintain clear connections between advance descriptions of courses and actual content.
2.     Faculty will clearly state course goals, testing, and grading which should   be intellectually justifiable.
3.     Faculty will plan and regulate class time with an awareness of its value for every student and will meet with classes regularly.
4.     Faculty will be available to students and will announce and maintain liberal office hours convenient to students.
5.     Faculty will model respect for each student as an individual, regardless of race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or veteran status.
6.     Faculty will strive to generate respect and understanding for academic freedom by students and at the same time protect students from irrelevant and trivial interruptions or diversions.
7.     Faculty will insure students the right to raise relevant issues, doubts, or alternative opinions during classroom discussion without concern for academic sanctions.
8.     Faculty will be sensitive to students personal or political beliefs expressed in a private manner in connection with course-work.
9.     Faculty will not disclose student grades or class standing in a classroom situation without the student's permission.

Student Affairs

Students have the right to a clear statement of their basic rights, responsibilities and Code of Conduct. They have the right to assist in formulating College policy by representation on various College committees. Students also have the right to be represented by a student government. Other student rights and responsibilities outside the classroom include:

1.     Students may form, join, and participate in groups which promote the common intellectual, religious, social, economic, political, recreational or cultural life of campus. The College believe group activities to be a positive educational vehicle and recognizes the right of student groups to discuss, express opinions, to assemble, write, and publish within state and federal constitutional guarantees and laws.

2.     A student group may be authorized to use College facilities if its officers and a majority of its members are currently enrolled at Lewis-Clark State College.

3.     Students and student groups are free to engage in peaceful and orderly protests and demonstrations which do not disrupt functions of the College, subject to reasonable assumptions concerning time, place, and manner. In all cases the educational purpose and process of the College must not be disrupted by protests and demonstrations.

4.     Students who publish student publications under College auspices have the right to be free from unlawful censorship.   However, students who publish such documents must observe the recognized canons of responsible journalism, including the avoidance of libel, indecency, undocumented allegations, attacks on personal integrity, and the techniques of harassment and innuendo. Student editors and managers may not be removed because of general faculty, administrative, student or public disapproval. They may be suspended or removed from their positions for proper cause by the committee responsible for their appointment.

5.     Students who publish student publications which are not sponsored or financially supported by the College may distribute the publications to students on College property subject to reasonable assumptions concerning time, place, and manner of distribution.

6.     Students have the right to have access to education records maintained by the College concerning the students. The students may review their own records and challenge the accuracy of the records.   Students have the right to have the educational records maintained on a confidential basis with only those College employees with a legitimate need to know having access to student educational records. For further information see the full policy on student records.