Student Rights and Responsibilities
A document titled, Student Rights and Responsibilities, specifies the relationship between students and the University. It can be accessed on the University of Kentucky Student Affairs Web Page and print copies can be requested from the Office of the Dean of Students in 513 Patterson Office Tower, the Office of the Ombud in 109 Bradley Hall, the Student Government Association Office in 120 of the Student Center and from the William T. Young Library. Student Rights and Responsibilities consists of five parts, which are briefly described below.
PART I – The Code of Student Conduct: Rules, Procedures, Rights and Responsibilities Governing Non-Academic Relationships
This section, adopted by the Board of Trustees, states the rules, procedures, rights and responsibilities governing non-academic relationships between the University and students enrolled on the Lexington Campus, the Medical Center and Lexington Community College.
It defines the rights students have, in general, and the procedures the University must follow in bringing charges for prohibited behavior and for invoking disciplinary sanctions. A detailed description of punishable offenses begins on page one of the Code of Student Conduct.
An abbreviated list of these offenses follows:
Prohibited offenses include: disrupting University operations and the rights of others; use, possession or distribution of alcohol or other dangerous drugs; abusive, drunken, violent or excessively noisy behavior; indecent, obscene behavior or the distribution of obscene matter; the threat or commission of physical violence; violation of local, state or federal law; unauthorized use of University facilities or property and failure to depart when lawfully ordered to leave; failure to comply with directions of University officials acting in the performance of their duties; falsely altering or using University records or documents; hazing, which includes actions on or off-campus, that intentionally or recklessly produce mental or physical discomforts/embarrassment, harassment or ridicule; passing a worthless check to the University; stealing or possessing stolen property on University property; possessing a gun or other deadly weapon on campus; destroying or defacing public or private property on campus; giving false testimony or false evidence in a University hearing; bribing anyone; harassing anyone on University property; unauthorized access or misuse of University computers; engaging in organized gambling activities; and violation of the University’s alcohol policy or other published regulations and policies.
In addition to prohibited behavior the Code of Conduct specifies the procedural due process to which individual students and groups are entitled and sanctions that can be imposed when individuals or student organizations are found responsible for a University offense. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students Office to seek information and clarification about the Code of Student Conduct and how it is interpreted.
PART II – Selected Rules of the University Senate Governing Academic Relationships
This section contains the rules that govern academic relationships. Included among the topics covered are: admission, registration, grades and marking systems, withdrawal, class absences, examinations, academic probation and suspension, residence requirements, requirements for graduation, academic records and the role of Academic Ombud who helps to resolve problems between faculty and students. Academic offenses are adjudicated by instructors, department heads, and college deans in the involved academic unit.
PART III – Regulations Governing Time, Place, and Manner of Meetings, Demonstrations, and Other Assemblies
This section describes the time, place, and manner in which planned or spontaneous demonstrations, meetings or assemblies may be conducted in specified areas on the campus. Spaces that can be reserved, prohibited locations, and free speech areas are also listed. Individuals and groups who are planning activities of this type should seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office.
PART IV – University of Kentucky Alcohol Policy
This policy states that alcohol use by students and student organizations is prohibited on campus with the exception of a few specified facilities. Laws and policies that govern alcohol use are strictly enforced on and off campus. Individuals and groups that violate campus alcohol regulations and local laws can be charged under the Student Code and by off-campus law enforcement agencies.
PART V – Student Records
This section describes student records maintained by the University. Included is detailed information about access to records and student rights regarding their records.
Violations of law and The Code of Student Conduct: Students may be accountable to both civil authorities and the University for acts that constitute violation of law and this code. Those accused of a single act of misbehavior can be subject to University disciplinary action at the same time criminal or civil charges or other University proceedings are under way. Accused students cannot successfully challenge University disciplinary action on the grounds that proceedings, regarding the same event, are pending or have been terminated, dismissed, reduced or are yet to be adjudicated within another jurisdiction.
Student Rights and Responsibilities contains important information about the student/university relationship. Students are encouraged to visit the Student Affairs Web Page in order to seek information about its contents and applications.