WAC 132F-121-020
Student rights, freedoms, and
responsibilities. (1) Preamble. As members of the academic
community, students are encouraged to develop the capacity for
critical judgment and to engage in an independent search for
truth. Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable
facets of academic freedom. The freedom to learn depends upon
appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on
the campus, and in the larger community. Students should
exercise their freedom with responsibility. The
responsibility to secure and to respect general conditions
conducive to the freedom to learn is shared by all members of
the district community.
(2) Classroom freedom of expression. The district
recognizes the rights of students to freedom of discussion and
free expression of views. However, students' rights of
classroom expression do not include expressions or conduct
which create a hostile educational environment or violate
chapter 49.60 RCW or other applicable law. It is the
responsibility of the instructor to insure and encourage the
realization not only of the fact but of the spirit of free
inquiry. Instructors have the responsibility to maintain
order, but this authority shall not be used to inhibit the
expression of views contrary to their own. Students have the
right to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered
in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters
of opinion, but they cannot do so in a disruptive manner that
interferes with the educational process. Students are
responsible for learning the content of any course of study
for which they are enrolled. It also is the responsibility of
the student to comply with the instructor's efforts to assure
freedom of expression and to maintain order.
(3) Protection against improper evaluation. Instructors
shall give their students fair and consistent evaluations of
the students' course performance. Toward this end,
instructors are also responsible for establishing appropriate
standards of academic performance for each course. Fair and
consistent grading is a legitimate classroom experience.
(4) Protection against improper disclosure. Information
about student views, beliefs, and political associations which
is acquired by instructors in the course of their work as
faculty or advisors, under circumstances which clearly
indicate that it is intended to be confidential, shall be
treated as confidential and shall not be disclosed to others,
unless it relates to the apparent or intended commission of a
crime or disclosure is required by law. Protection against
improper disclosure of student education record information is
a serious professional obligation incurred by the teaching
profession and district administrators. However, evaluations
of student ability and character may be provided to third
parties with the student's consent or in accordance with
applicable law.
(5) Nonacademic expression and inquiry. Students and
student organizations are free to examine and to discuss all
questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly
and privately, in accordance with law. They are free to
support causes by orderly and lawful means which do not
disrupt the operation of the institution and which comply with
the district's policies regarding these activities.
(6) The district shall respect students' right to
privacy. It will not inquire into the off-campus activities
of its students without legal justification.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.100, [28B.50].130, and/or[28B.50].140
. 03-16-015, § 132F-121-020, filed 7/28/03,
effective 8/28/03.]