Preface

The following statement of students’ rights and responsibilities is intended to reflect the philosophical base upon which University Student Rules are built. This philosophy acknowledges the existence of both rights and responsibilities, which is inherent to an individual not only as a student at Texas A&M University but also as a citizen of this country.

Students’ Rights

Article I
A student shall have the right to participate in a free exchange of ideas, and there shall be no university rule or administrative rule that in any way abridges the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution.

Article II
Each student shall have the right to participate in all areas and activities of the university, free from any form of discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Article III
A student has the right to personal privacy except as otherwise provided by law, and this will be observed by students and university authorities alike.

Article IV
Each student shall be free from disciplinary action by university officials for violations of civil and criminal law off campus, except when such a violation is determined also to be a violation of the provision regarding off-campus conduct in the Student Conduct Code of the University Student Rules.

Article V
Each student subject to disciplinary action arising from violations of university student rules shall be assured a fundamentally fair process. At all student conduct hearings, an accused student shall be assumed not responsible until proven responsible, and, in initial student conduct hearings, the burden of proof shall rest with those bringing the charges. In all proceedings, the student shall be guaranteed a fundamentally fair process.

Students’ Responsibilities

Article I
A student has the responsibility to respect the rights and property of others, including other students, the faculty and the administration.

Article II
A student has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with the published University Student Rules and to comply with them and the laws of the land.

Article III
A student has the responsibility to recognize that student actions reflect upon the individuals involved and upon the entire university community.

Article IV
A student has the responsibility to recognize the university’s obligation to provide an environment for learning.