WAC 132L-120-070   Student rights and freedoms.  (1) Freedom of access: Centralia College shall admit all individuals who qualify according to current admission requirements. The college, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other applicable laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical handicaps, age, or gender in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to: Admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services, programs, and activities.

     (2) Freedom of association: Students are free to organize and to participate in voluntary associations of their own choosing. To be officially recognized, the ASCC must grant student organizations an official charter. In order to receive or maintain official recognition, a student organization must be open to all students without regard to race, color, gender, creed, national origin, mental or physical handicaps, age, or sexual orientation.

     (3) Freedom in the classroom: The classroom is the center for study and understanding of the subject matter for which the instructor has professional responsibility and institutional accountability. Instructors encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression among their students in their quest for knowledge. They foster honest academic conduct and evaluate their students fairly and accurately. They conform to a set of professional standards and ethics.

     (4) Freedom of publications and press: Student publications and the student press are valuable aids in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and of intellectual exploration on the campus. The college has developed a publications code that is used to administer all student publications.

     (5) Freedom of speech and assembly: No rule shall restrict student expression solely based on disapproval or fear of the student's ideas or motives. Students and student organizations shall be free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them, and to express opinions publicly and privately.

     (a) Students and members of the public are guaranteed the rights of free inquiry, expression, and assembly on the outdoor college facilities that are generally open and available to the public.

     (b) Any student group or student organization that wishes to schedule an assembly within or on a college facility not generally open to the public must reserve the college facility in advance.

     (c) Modes of expression or assembly that are manifestly unreasonable or disruptive in terms of time, place, or manner may be restricted. Students and members of the public must ensure that assemblies:

     (i) Are conducted in an orderly manner;

     (ii) Do not unreasonably interfere with classes, scheduled meetings or ceremonies, or regular functions of the college;

     (iii) Do not unreasonably interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic; or

     (iv) Do not cause destruction or damage to college property, including library materials, or private property on college facilities.

     (d) Assemblies that violate these rules may be ordered to disperse by the college in accordance with Washington state statutes.

     (e) A nonstudent who violates any provision of the rule may be required to leave the campus or section of campus or facility and/or be referred to civilian authorities for criminal prosecution.

     (f) A student, student group, or student organization that violates any provision of the rule may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with this code. This may also include criminal prosecution.

     (6) Freedom to learn: Instructors in the classroom and in conference encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression. Student performance is evaluated solely on academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students are free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students are protected from prejudiced, arbitrary, or capricious academic behavior. At the same time, students are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance. Student complaints regarding academic procedure are addressed through the student-faculty complaint process.

     (7) Freedom from discrimination: All qualified students at Centralia College shall be afforded equal access and opportunity to all educational programs and services without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, reliance on public assistance, disability, or any group or class against which discrimination is prohibited by state or federal law, regulation, or executive order.

     (8) Freedom from sexual harassment: Students at Centralia College shall be free from sexual harassment. Any student who engages in unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, where such behavior offends the recipient, causes discomfort or humiliation, or interferes with job or academic performance, shall be subject to disciplinary actions.

     (9) Right to privacy of educational records: Students have both the right to privacy and the right to have access to their educational records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. In compliance with that act, the notification of these rights is published in the quarterly class schedule and the Centralia College Catalog.

     (10) Right to confidentiality of counseling: The college provides professional personal counseling services to students. Students who request this service are granted limited confidentiality in accordance with the laws and regulations of the state of Washington, and the ethics of the American Counseling Association. Counselors provide clients with written information regarding these and other client rights.

     (11) Right to distribute materials: Students have the right to use the designated bulletin board for the legal, incidental sales of personal property such as books, automobiles, bikes, etc. Other bulletin boards require permission from the office of student programs before posting material. Students may distribute free publications not in violation of state and/or federal laws such as books, magazines, newspapers, handbills, leaflets, in the area designated for such purposes located in the student center. In addition, printed materials may be distributed in the outdoor public areas of the college subject to reasonable limitations of time, place, and manner consistent with the maintenance of college property, with the free flow of traffic and persons, and not in a manner which in itself limits the orderly operation of college affairs. Material may not be placed on or in automobiles.

     (12) Right to incidental sales: Students have the right to engage in incidental sales of personal property in a private transaction provided college facilities are not explicitly used for this purpose. However, the use of college grounds or facilities for commercial or private gain purposes is prohibited except where commercial activity such as sale of books, instructional supplies, or food contribute to the operation of the instructional program or where limited sale is specifically authorized by the director of student programs for the benefit of an approved activity. The college reserves the right to charge commercial vendors for the use of college facilities or space.

     (13) Right to due process: No disciplinary sanction may be imposed on any student except through due process as specified in this code.

     (14) Freedom from unreasonable search: Students have the right to be secure in their persons, quarters, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

     (15) Right to invite off-campus speakers: Recognized student organizations have the right to invite outside speakers to speak on campus subject to the availability of campus facilities, funding, and compliance with the college procedures available in the student programs office.

     (16) Right to be interviewed: Every student has the right to be interviewed on campus by any legal organization desiring to recruit at the college.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140. 00-07-113, § 132L-120-070, filed 3/20/00, effective 4/20/00.]