Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Student Bill of Rights
We, the Student Government Board of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, on behalf
of the student body which we represent, in order to encourage free thought, ensure just
treatment of students, and promote exceptional opportunities of learning in higher
education, hereby establish this Student Bill of Rights.
Section I: Academic Rights
A. Timely Graduation: Students shall have the right to be provided a program when
feasible for specified majors that will enable them to complete their undergraduate
studies in four years.
B. Syllabi: Students have the right to be provided with a list of course requirements and
grading procedures in a comprehensive syllabus. The syllabus shall follow all
University and departmental standards and guidelines. A professor wishing to change
their syllabus shall have the right to do so, so long as they provide the students with
reasonable notice.
See Kutztown University Policy ACA 036, Course Guides for more detailed information.
C. Faculty and Advisor Availability: Students at Kutztown University have a right to
meet with their professors and academic advisors; faculty and advisors shall maintain
regular office hours at reasonable times. Students shall be able to make appointments
with professors and advisors should those regular office hours conflict with their
schedule.
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See Agreement between APSCUF and PASSHE, Article 4, Duties and Responsibilities of
Faculty Members for more detailed information.
D. Course and Program Selection: Students shall have the responsibility for course
and program selection as well as meeting academic requirements for graduation.
See Kutztown University Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 2 for more detailed
information.
E. Evaluations: Students shall have the right to periodic evaluations of services
rendered to them by the University. These shall include (but not be limited to) the right
to periodically evaluate instructors and academic advisors.
See Agreement between APSCUF and PASSHE, Article 12, Performance Review and
Evaluation of Faculty for more detailed information.
F. Expression in the Classroom: Students have the right to orderly expression in the
classroom without penalty.
See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 2 for
more detailed information.
G. Fairness in Grading: Students at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania have the
right to be graded wholly without bias. In addition, students have a right to a course
grade based on the instructor’s judgment of demonstrated performance in the course. A
student may appeal a grade that was not fairly determined via the Grade Appeals
Board.
See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Students Rights & Welfare, Article 2 &
Kutztown University Policy ACA 047, Grade Appeal, for more detailed information.
H. Privacy in the Classroom: Students have the right to protection against
unprofessional disclosure by an instructor concerning their grades, beliefs, political
association, health, or character.
See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 2 for
more detailed information.
Section II: Rights Regarding Student Life
A. Student Government: Students shall have the right to a student government of
council governed by a constitution drafted by the students. The leadership of this
council shall have the right to meet regularly with the University President, Deans of
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Colleges, and other administrative leaders.
See the Constitution of the Student Government Association of Kutztown University & the ByLaws of the Student Government Board of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania for more
detailed information.
B. Military and Veteran Friendly: Students who are U.S. military veterans or are
personnel attending Kutztown University of Pennsylvania shall be treated with the
utmost honor and respect. Kutztown University shall make accommodations to military
scheduling and employment in service to our country.
See Kutztown University Policy ACA 082: Veteran and Active Duty Military- Course
Scheduling for more detailed information.
C. Quality Housing: Students have the right to safe, quality housing to every student
living on-campus. Kutztown University Housing, Residential Life, and Dining Services
shall respond to resident concerns in a timely manner.
See the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Key, Chapter 4, Residence Hall Policies for more
detailed information.
D. Freedom from Censorship: Kutztown University of Pennsylvania identifies that its
students have the right to publish articles in student journals and newspapers and be
free from censorship in those publications. Students have the freedom to express
themselves in their publications or fear of recrimination or punishment so long as those
students adhere to ethical, journalistic, and legal standards. Responsible and accurate
journalism is demanded of all students who publish in a student newspaper or other
media outlet. To those students who would bring harm to the University by publishing
misinformation maliciously or in haste, this right shall be forfeited.
See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 6:
Communication Media for more detailed information.
E. Due Process: Students at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania have the right to a
judicial hearing before a judicial board to determine possible violations of the Code of
Student Conduct. The Key contains the Code of Student Conduct, Student Judicial
Programs, and Judicial Procedures.
See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 4:
Due Process for more detailed information.
F. Freedom of Association: Students at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania are free to
organize and join associations to promote their common interest, as appropriate.
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See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Document on Student Rights & Welfare, Article 1:
Freedom of Association, Expression, and Inquiry for more detailed information.
G. Privacy of Student Records: Students maintain privacy rights in exercising control
over what information or data about themselves retained by Kutztown University of
Pennsylvania may be disclosed in accordance with the Family Education Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.
See Kutztown University Policy STU 033, Policy on Confidentiality of Student Records for
more detailed information.
H. Use of a Preferred Name: Students have the right to use a preferred first/given name
in University documents and process except where the use of the official legal name is
required by University business or legal obligation.
See Kutztown University Policy STU 036, Student Preferred Name for more detailed
information.
I. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities have the
right to reasonable accommodations to allow them to undertake academic tasks
essential to programs of instruction. Accommodations are to be provided to students
with disabilities in the areas of identification, admissions, housing, and selection of
courses, documentation, and academics.
See Kutztown University Policy DIV 004, Services for Students with Disabilities for more
detailed information.
J. Respect for Diversity and Cultural Differences: Students reserve the right to an
environment free of unlawful discrimination based on an individual’s sex, race,
ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity,
gender expression, or veteran status. Additionally, students reserve the right to an
environment free of harassment as well as sexual harassment.
See Kutztown University Policy DIV 008, Anti-Discrimination Policy and Procedures,
Kutztown University Policy DIV 007, Sexual Harassment, Kutztown University Policy DIV
009 Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures for more detailed information.
K. University Governance Committees: The students shall have the right to send
representation to major University governance committees. All of the students serving
on these committees shall be appointed by the Student Government Board of Kutztown
University.
See Kutztown University Governance at www.kutztown.edu/aboutku/administration/governance.htm for more detailed information.
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L. Health Services: Student shall have the right to quality health care and health
education to students who have paid the semester health center fee.
See Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Key, Chapter 4, Health and Wellness for more
detailed information.
To deprive a student of any of these rights is to undermine the very essence and
purpose of higher education. Students seek out opportunities to better themselves and
mold together their future. To do that, students must be allowed to reach their own
conclusions in a fair and unbiased environment where they feel comfortable to express
their own opinions.
Provisions provided in this Student Bill of Rights shall not supersede or replace current
university policies and procedures.
This document shall be reviewed and/or revised by the Kutztown University of
Pennsylvania Student Government Board on an annual basis.
Effective Date: March 29, 2016
Last Review:
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