Student Rights and Responsibilities
I. The Right to Learn
Within the limits of its facilities, Southern New Hampshire University is open to all applicants who are qualified according to its admission requirements.
Students who accept admission are obliged to fulfill academic and administrative requirements of the university. Under no circumstances will an applicant be denied admission because of race, ethnic background, gender, age, sexual preference or disability.
Students are free to pursue their educational goals. Appropriate opportunities for learning in the classroom and on the campus are provided by the university.
Discussion and expression of all views relevant to the subject matter are permitted in the classroom, subject only to the responsibility of the instructor to maintain order and meet time restrictions.
Students must refrain from any action that would deny their fellow students the right to enjoy the benefits of university programs.
The evaluation of student performance in academic work shall not be prejudiced.
II. Rights With Respect to Standards of Conduct
Students have the right to support any cause or organization that does not disrupt the orderly functioning of the university.
Disciplinary action shall be taken only with regard to conduct that adversely affects the university community’s pursuit of its objectives or to conduct that does not conform to the laws of the State of New Hampshire.
III. The Rights to Share in Policy Making
Students have the collective right to share in the making of university policy that generally affects their social or academic affairs. This collective right is expressed through the Student Government Association and student membership on other decision-making committees.
IV. The Right to Speak
The cornerstone of any educational institution is the right to free speech. Should that right be denied to any member of the university community, the educational process is impaired. While having the right to free speech, each student must respect the personal rights of other students, faculty, and administrators by avoiding willful or malicious statements or incivilities so grave as to impair the ability of students or educators to perform their duties effectively.
V. The Right of Association
Students are free to organize and join associations to promote their common interests and to make reasonable use of university facilities. This right may be limited only to preserve the openness of the university. The university will withhold the use of facilities from any association that infringes on the rights of others by obstructing their study or self-expression.
VI. The Right to Listen
Students are allowed to invite and to hear any person of their own choosing for the purpose of learning the speaker’s ideas and opinions. The university will not use its control over facilities as a means of censorship.
VII. The Right to Privacy
Southern New Hampshire University students have the same rights as any other citizen, with regard to privacy. None of these rights are surrendered upon becoming a member of the academic community. The university has no right to give consent to local or state officials to search a student’s room. However, it has a responsibility to assist in the serving of a subpoena or warrant.
VIII. Privacy of Student Records
The policy and the procedures concerning the privacy of student records maintained by Southern New Hampshire University are in large measure governed by the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The university’s policies and procedures are posted by the Office of the Registrar.
Except when requested by a student or required by federal or state regulations, an educational record will not include information concerning race, religion, nationality, political or social views, or memberships in organizations. Directory information (name, address, telephone numbers, major, etc.) may be released or published. State agencies and other educational agencies, doing surveys and studies for the university will ordinarily have access to a student’s record without the written consent of the student concerned. One exception provides that parents have the right to view and to have copies of their child’s educational record without their child’s consent providing that the child is dependent upon the parents for federal income tax purposes. A student may waive the right of access to recommendations for admission to the university, for employment on file with the university, and for some honor or honor society. The university may not require a student to waive this right nor may the student’s status at the university depend upon his waiving this right.
IX. The Right to Procedural Fairness
Pending action on any social or disciplinary charges, the status of students shall not be altered, nor their rights to be present on campus and to attend classes suspended, except to protect the health or safety of students or staff, or to safeguard university property. Only the vice president for student affairs or his designee may direct provisional suspension.
X. Searches, Arrests and Related Processes
The university cannot prevent civil law enforcement agencies from performing their official duties within the university community. It is not a sanctuary for students who may violate the law. The university will assist proper law enforcement agencies in the pursuit of their duties.
- Service of Warrants or other Papers
Whenever law enforcement agents, process servers or other legally authorized individuals are required to serve official papers or enforce arrest or search warrants, the university will cooperate in order to minimize interference with campus activities and to protect all persons. - Search Incidental to Arrest
As prescribed by law, the arresting officers may conduct limited searches of the area where an arrest is made without a specific warrant and property may be seized. - Search Incidental to Enforcement of University Policy
When duly authorized university personnel are involved in the enforcement of university rules, limited searches of university owned property may result and prohibited items may be confiscated.