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POLICY 04:02:02

RIGHTS, FREEDOMS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

Pellissippi State Community College embraces the following excerpts from the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students.

PREAMBLE
Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of the academic community, students should be encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth.

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. Students should exercise their freedom with responsibility.

The responsibility to secure and to respect general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn is shared by all members of the academic community. The purpose of this statement is to enumerate essential provisions for students’ freedom to learn.

IN THE CLASSROOM

The professor in the classroom and in conference should encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression. Student performance should be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.

  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.
  3. Protection Against Improper Disclosure
    Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations which professors acquire in the course of their work as instructors, advisers, and counselors should be considered confidential. Protection against improper disclosure is a serious professional obligation. Judgments of ability and character may be provided under appropriate circumstances, normally with the knowledge and consent of the student.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Pellissippi State Community College students have certain responsibilities to uphold as part of their membership in the academic community. These include the following:

  • Students are responsible for their own academic success. This includes maintaining academic integrity and taking advantage of academic support services provided by the College.
  • Students are responsible for conducting themselves in an appropriate manner while in the classroom, on campus, and in their communication with other members of the college community. This includes being respectful of others and refraining from disciplinary offenses as outlined by Pellissippi State Policy 04:02:01: Student Conduct & Disciplinary Sanctions
  • Students are responsible for following College policies relevant to them.
  • Students are responsible for meeting deadlines. This includes meeting deadlines in the classroom and meeting deadlines published by the College.
  • Students are responsible for reading all communications sent to them by the College. This includes all forms of electronic and written communication.

If students believe their rights have been violated, they may file a written complaint. See policy 00:03:00 Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination in Education and Employment to information regarding filing a discrimination or harassment complaint. Other complaints can be filed online at www.pstcc.edu.

Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, August 8, 2005
Editorial Changes, April 30, 2009, July 1, 2009
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Staff, April 12, 2010
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, April 12, 2010
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, March 28, 2016
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., March 28, 2016
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, June 27, 2022
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., June 27, 2022