Student Rights & Responsibilities

Student Rights

• Participate in a free exchange of ideas. No University rule or regulation, or administrative policy shall abridge the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition, and peaceful assembly as set forth by the United States Constitution.
• Be treated on an equal basis, free from illegal discrimination, including harassment, in all areas and activities of the University regardless of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or disability.
• Personal privacy except as otherwise provided by law. This is equally applicable to university employees as well.
• Be free from disciplinary actions by university officials for violations of civil and criminal law away from campus, except when such a violation is determined to also be a violation of the provision regarding conduct in the Code of Student Conduct or the University’s Rules and Regulations.
• Disciplinary action arising from substantive 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 conduct hearings, the burden of proof shall rest with those bringing the charges.

Student Responsibilities

All students are responsible for:

• Respecting the rights and property of others, including other students, guests, faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Being fully acquainted with published student guidelines, the Code of Student Conduct, the Lincoln University Rules and Regulations, Missouri Laws, and federal regulations.
• Recognizing that student actions reflect upon the individual involved and the entire campus community.
• Recognizing the University’s obligation to provide a safe campus community conducive for living, learning, and working.
• Becoming familiar with and following all safety procedures while working in or using campus facilities during their studies, activities, or employment.

The Student Judicial System

The aim of the Student Judicial System is to ensure that individuals assume full responsibility for their actions. When a violation of a policy, rule or regulation occurs, the university will generally strive to inform and guide students toward the development of personal responsibility, conscientiousness and ethical standards. The process by which the university community educates students who violate the community standards of the Student Code of Conduct is through disciplinary counseling and the imposition of sanctions, including the possible separation from the university. The goals of this process are as follows:

1. To educate the student by explaining the reasons for the community standard

2. To bring the student’s behavior into compliance with the community standard

3. To have the student maturely accept accountability for his or her behavior

4. To help the student clarify values that relate to the behavior

5. To assist the student in making future choices that will enable him or her to assume later adult roles

6. To help the student consider in advance the consequences of his or her behavior

7. To determine with the student the reason(s) for the misconduct

8. To protect the safety and welfare of the university community