Academic Rights and Responsibilities of Students
Policy in PDF format
Leeward Community College embraces those aspects of academic freedom that guarantee the freedom to teach and the freedom to learn. Free inquiry and free expression for both students and faculty are indispensable and inseparable.
The College subscribes to that part of the 2007 “Joint Statement on Rights and Freedom of Students,” adopted by a diverse number of higher education organizations including the American Association of University Professors, which relates to classroom instruction: “The professor in the classroom and in conference should encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression. Student performance should be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.”
A. Protection of Freedom of Expression
Students should be free 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 are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.
B. Protection Against Improper Academic Evaluation
Students should have protection through orderly procedures against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation. At the same time they are responsible for adhering to standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled.
C. Protection Against Improper Disclosure
Information about student views, beliefs and political association which professors acquire in the course of their work as advisors, and counselors should be considered confidential. Protection against improper disclosure is a serious professional obligation. Judgments of ability and character may be provided under appropriate circumstances, normally with the knowledge or consent of the student.