Student Rights and Responsibilities

The California Education Code provides that, “The board shall have the power to adopt such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, as are necessary for its own government and to enable the board to carry out all powers and responsibilities vested in it by law” (Section 71020). The Board of Trustees has prescribed the following rules relating to students. These rules shall apply to each of the colleges of the District. Each College President shall be responsible for the development of procedures required on that campus to assure that these rules are in effect on that campus.

ACADEMIC FREEDOM POLICY: A college community, consisting of faculty, students, and administrators, under the authority of the Board of Trustees, has as its primary purpose the realization of the students’ growth and development through the dissemination and application of knowledge. Because it is only in the open exchange of ideas that this purpose can be achieved, students are encouraged to study any and all issues and problems. Freedom to think, read, question, and speak are necessary to the college community, but such freedoms must be exercised within the rules established under the general policies of the Board of Trustees.

STUDENT CLASSROOM RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Students enrolled in a course accept the instructor’s authority in all matters pertaining to classroom instruction and individual academic performance.

Students have the right to:

  • Know the instructor’s standards for academic evaluation and classroom conduct.
  • Challenge, with normal courtesy, faculty statements of opinion.
  • Receive professional evaluation of their academic performance.
  • Expect professional treatment of their views, beliefs, or polit­ical associations.
  • Have reasonable access to members of the faculty on campus.

Students enrolled in a course accept the responsibility to:

  • Seek diligently to achieve the instructional objectives of the course.
  • Practice honesty and respect the rights of others.
  • Meet instructional and conduct standards

*Students who violate the rights of other members of any class shall be subject to removal or suspension from that class.

CAMPUS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Students have the right to:

  • Participate in the formulation and application of college policy which affects them in accordance with procedures established on each campus under the general policies of the Board.
  • Petition to organize interest groups pursuant to college and Board policies.
  • Join student associations approved pursuant to college and Board policies.
  • Invite and hear speakers as defined in the campus speakers policy.
  • Students who violate the rights of chartered organizations shall be subject to the rules and regulations as published and distributed on each campus.

Campus publications boards, or their equivalent, shall have the authority and responsibility for all college publications. Their authority and responsibility shall include, but not be limited to, providing written clarification of the role of student publications and the standards to be used in their evaluation. These standards shall be within the canons of responsible journalism and the limitations on control of their operations as established by the faculty advisor.