Your Rights as a Student
Students at the College have the same rights and protections under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New Jersey as other citizens. These rights include freedom of expression, press, religion, and assembly. The College has a tradition of student activism and values freedom of expression, which includes voicing unpopular views and dissent. As members of the College community, students have the right to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for respecting the same right of others.
Students have the right to be treated fairly and with dignity regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy), marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or disability, and as revised in the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace/Educational Environment[link]. The College has a strong commitment to pluralistic education. Accordingly, the College will not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of protected group status.
Students have the right to have access to the College policies that affect them. The College is committed to providing students with a balanced and fair system of accountability and dispute resolution. Accordingly, students will be provided appropriate procedural standards that are administrative in nature and should not be equated with procedures used in civil or criminal court.
Students’ rights also include those outlined in Student Rights and Freedoms and other published College policies. Violation of College policy, including but not limited to the Undergraduate Student Conduct Code, may result in forfeiture of such rights when necessary to preserve the safety of the College community or to achieve the orderly execution of the educational mission of the College.
Along with rights come certain responsibilities. Students at the College are expected to act consistently with the values of the College community to preserve a safe and vibrant environment that encourages scholarship and personal growth.
Student Conduct & Expectations
The College values the individual contribution of every member of the community and expects students to:
- Engage in responsible social conduct that reflects credit upon the College community both on and off campus, and is consistent with a safe and healthy environment;
- Respect the rights of others to pursue an exceptional education free from harassment, bullying, defamation, and discrimination;
- Conduct oneself with personal integrity and in an honest manner that makes him or her worthy of the trust of others;
- Model good citizenship in any community by committing to actions that benefit the community and others, and do not impede the educational mission of the College or individual pursuits of knowledge;
- Recognize that respect for the ideas and contributions of all persons allow for diverse and creative intellectual inquiry;
- Do no harm and do not present a threat of harm to self, others, or personal or institutional property;
- Seek assistance, resources, or aid for self or others in a timely manner when health, safety, or wellness is at risk;
- Respect the right of fellow students to participate in College or outside organizations, associations, or relationships with other students without fear, threat, or act of hazing;
- Conduct oneself professionally and with civility in all pursuits of knowledge in and outside the classroom;
- Be responsible and held accountable for one’s decisions and actions, and the impact on self and others; and
- Be fully acquainted and comply with the College’s published policies and procedures and local, state, and federal law.
If you have any questions about information on this website please contact conduct@tcnj.edu.