Document on Student Rights & Welfare 10|Page www.kutztown.edu/thekey 4. Due Process A. Introduction Educational institutions through the regulation of the use of their facilities and the setting of standards of conduct and scholarship of students have an inherent responsibility in carrying out the educational purposes of their charter. The principles of civility, example, and due process will be followed. Proper safeguards will be provided to protect individual or group rights of students from the imposition of unjust penalties. Any student or student organization charged with violating a University regulation shall have the right to be heard by the appropriate hearing authority. All such bodies shall follow the basic procedures of due process defined and set forth in the Student Code of Conduct and related policies published in the student handbook, The Key at www.kutztown.edu/thekey. B. Rights 1. University students have the same constitutional freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and right of petition as other citizens enjoy and are subject to the same civil laws and due process as other citizens. 2. Illegal activity by students, whether on or off-campus, subjects the individual to prosecution by civil authorities. The principle of Dual Jurisdiction may apply in some disciplinary matters where a student is charged (1) by law enforcement agencies of violating a civil or criminal law, and (2) by University officials for violation of a University regulation on-campus or off-campus when behavior represents a substantial university interest and/or poses a threat to the health, safety, or well-being of the university or its members. C. Ethical Standards of Hearing Authorities As a part of the larger community, Kutztown University acknowledges the laws of the land and expects its members to adhere to them. While affording aid to its members in difficulties with the law, the University provides no immunity from the consequences of illegal acts. As an academic community the University has a special interest in the prevention of certain conducts, which are detrimental to its efforts to facilitate responsible inquiry and educational growth. Conduct regulations are listed in the student handbook, The Key. Hearing authorities, conduct boards, appeal boards and their members exist to serve the university community. To function effectively they are responsible for adhering to standards detailed in the Student Code of Conduct. 5. Student Media A. Student Communication Media are a valuable aid in the dissemination of information as well as establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and of intellectual exploration on the campus. They are a means of bringing student concerns to the attention of the faculty and the institutional authorities and of formulating student opinion on various issues on the campus and in the world-at-large. B. It shall be the responsibility of the Student Communication Media Advisory Board to provide assistance to all campus communication organizations and to encourage the freedom of expression, integrity and aesthetic values in campus communications.
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