Student Judicial Policies and Procedures

1. Preamble

Underlying discipline lies a reason and a right to discipline, and underlying that, a function to serve and a responsibility to perform. The charters of our public and private colleges and universities have broadly authorized these duties to the institution of higher learning. While the law protects this authorization, it limits it as well.

As a citizen of the academic community, a student remains no less a citizen of the larger community. Those guarantees of a democratic society which guard the civil rights of all its members do not cease at the confines of the campus. Institutions too are as subject in their actions to constitutional restraint as are individuals. Equal protection, freedom from arbitrary action, academic freedom, and due process are not privileges to be conferred at will, but are principles which are basic to the very purposes of the University’s existence. It is upon these principles that the case for a campus judicial procedure rests. It is from these concepts that such a system can draw strength to lend credence to those goals of the institution that lead to the development of higher values and sounder citizenship among its students. The history of liberty has largely been the history of procedural safeguards. The University is no place to impede the progress of liberty.

 Last Updated On: 8/19/07