Student's Rights

On June 5, 1968, the Community College of Philadelphia Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a set of principles to guide the College in its development of policies and procedures relating to rights and responsibilities of students. Taken, in part, from the "Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students" developed, initially, by the American Association of University Professors, the Association of American Colleges, the United States National Student Association, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and the National Association of Women Deans and Counselors, the College put forth, in spirit and content, those basic tenets which protect the rights of students. They include:

Freedom of Access to Higher Education
The admissions policies of the College clearly state the characteristics and expectations of students which are considered relevant to success in the institution's programs. All facilities and services of the College are open to all enrolled students.

Freedom in the Classroom
Students are responsible for learning the content of the courses in which they enroll, though they should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and reserve judgment about matters of opinion.

Students are responsible for maintaining those standards of academic performance required by each course in which they are enrolled. Students should have protection against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation.

Students' views, beliefs, and political associations which are acquired by faculty members in the course of their work as instructors, advisors and counselors should be considered confidential.

Freedom of Inquiry and Expression
Students and their organizations are free to examine and discuss all questions and issues of interest and inquiry to them and to express their opinions publicly and privately. Such freedom does not permit student groups to disrupt the orderly processes of the educational environment. The actions of student groups should be clearly delineated from the activities and responsibilities of the College.

Freedom of Association
Students are free to form groups and organizations that appeal to the interests of a variety of students. Student groups and organizations must be open for membership to all Community College of Philadelphia students in good standing. Official College organizations must be sanctioned by the College by having met all of the requirements established by the Office of Student Activities.

Right to Due Process
A student charged with misconduct must be informed of the nature of the charges in writing, be given copies of any documents related to the charges, and be given the opportunity to refute them. The College must not be arbitrary in its decisions to discipline students and must always provide the opportunity for students to appeal any disciplinary sanction. When disciplinary decisions are rendered, students must be provided with procedural guidelines for appeal. Whenever possible, except for reasons related to the mental or physical safety or well being of the student or others on the campus, a student's status, including the right to attend classes, participate in College activities, or use College facilities, should not be altered pending disciplinary action.