Kyr Basic Rights

A Student’s most basic rights, as defined by the University of Central Florida Golden Rule Student Handbook are found in Section 5.006. This section frames student’s rights in the following way:

“(1) Student Rights. Upon enrollment, students are entitled to the following freedoms and rights, provided the exercise thereof is accomplished in accordance with University procedures and does not result in disruption or disturbance as elsewhere described in the Regulations.” (-- ss 5.006(1) --)

This section of the Golden Rule Student Handbook covers all of the Rights that are explicitly granted. While a number of other rights can be inferred from a number of other sources, this section does outline nine explicit rights. These rights include:

Participation in Student Government Association and its elective process.
Membership in Student Organizations.
Freedom of expression.
Freedom to hold public forums.
Freedom to hear, write, distribute, and act upon a variety of thoughts and beliefs.
Peaceful assembly.
Fair and impartial hearing.
Confidentiality of student records.
Provisions for Victims/Survivors of Acts of Violence.

These rights, while still subject to additional regulations, are given to all students at the University of Central Florida.

Student Government

The first Right outlined in the Golden Rule Section 5.006 is the right to be a part of the Student Government Association. The right is framed in the following manner:

“1. Participation in Student Government Association and its elective process.”

This provides two fundamental rights in one; participation in Student Government processes and elections. This right is important because it empowers every student to be a part of decision making processes. Such processes determine the distribution of funds and use of resources.

RSO Membership

The second Right outlined in the Golden Rule Section 5.006 is the right to be a Member of a Student Organization. The right is framed in the following manner:

“2. Membership in Student Organizations.”

This right is further defined in the Golden Rule Student Handbook in both Section 5.011 and the Office of Student Involvement. This right allows students the ability to explore a variety of interests while attending UCF. This is important in promoting diversity (Link to: E8) and equality (Link to: E9) as well as in fostering the development of a variety of ideas.

Expression

The third Right outlined in the Golden Rule Section 5.006 is the right to Free Expression. The right is framed in the following manner:

“3. Freedom of expression. The basic freedoms of students to hear, write, distribute, and act upon a variety of thoughts and beliefs are guaranteed. Freedom of expression carries with it the responsibility for seeing that the essential order of the University is preserved.”

Subject to ensuring the “essential order of the University”, this right allows students with a variety of ideas to express them in a variety of ways. This right allows for appropriate civil discourse.

Public Forum

The fourth Right outlined in the Golden Rule Section 5.006 is the right to hold Public Forums. The right is framed in the following manner:

“4. Freedom to hold public forums. The University desires to create a spirit of free inquiry and to promote the timely discussion of a wide variety of issues, provided the views expressed are stated openly and are subject to critical evaluation. Restraints on free inquiry are held to a minimum and are consistent with preserving an organized society in which peaceful, democratic means for change are available. Guest lecturers or off-campus speakers sponsored by student groups may appear on the UCF campus following arrangements with the designated University authority for such appearances.”

The freedom to hold public forums is one that is more visibly exercised on UCFs campus. This right is also subject to a few restrictions, however, it allows students to openly support or oppose the vast majority of subjects.

Speech

The fifth Right outlined in the Golden Rule Section 5.006 is the right to Hear, Write, Distribute, and Act upon a variety of thoughts and beliefs. The right is framed in the following manner:

“5. Freedom to hear, write, distribute, and act upon a variety of thoughts and beliefs. This freedom is subject to the following regulations:

Written materials identified by authorship and sponsorship may be sold or distributed on campus within the guidelines of propriety and responsible journalism as established and supervised by the University Board of Publications which is appointed by the President or designee. The distribution of such material, as is arranged by the Director of Office of Student Involvement, is permissible for student organizations provided steps have been taken to preserve the orderliness of the campus.
Non-university or off-campus printed materials shall not be distributed or circulated by students or student organizations without first being stamped by the office of the Director of the Office of Student Involvement.
The distribution of materials or circulation of petitions to captive audiences such as those in classrooms, at registration, in study areas or in residential units is not allowed without prior permission. Such permission may be requested from the appropriate university official.”

This right is central to many student organizations. Properly observed, this right allows for advertising and similar activities that can be very beneficial to individual students and student organizations.

Assembly

The sixth Right outlined in the Golden Rule Section 5.006 is the right to Peacefully Assemble. The right is framed in the following manner:

“6. Peaceful assembly. Student gatherings must neither disrupt or interfere with the orderly educational operation of the institution, nor violate state or local laws, or University regulations.”

The right to peacefully assemble goes hand in hand with the rights of expression and assembly. Together, these rights allow students and organizations the ability to exercise their beliefs and ideas in a manner that is effective. As with all other rights, certain restrictions exist. If those are properly observed, students are able to gather for many different purposes.

Fair Hearing

The seventh Right outlined in the Golden Rule Section 5.006 is the right to a Fair and Impartial Hearing. The right is framed in the following manner:

“7. Fair and impartial hearing. These matters shall include, but not be limited to:

Disciplinary proceedings involving alleged violation of academic and nonacademic regulations.
Refunds and charges. The status of a student charged with a violation of University regulations shall not be affected pending final disposition of the charges except in the case of administrative action. For specific procedures and rights of students during the student conduct process, see later section entitled “Student Conduct Review Process.”

The right to a fair hearing is one that is exercised by many students. This right is paramount to a fair and impartial campus atmosphere. Properly utilized, this right allows students the ability to access a process that can be highly beneficial.

Confidentiality

The eighth Right outlined in the Golden Rule Section 5.006 is the right to Confidentiality of Student Records. The right is framed in the following manner:

“8. Confidentiality of student records. Each University office and agency which generates, collects, and disseminates information on students must follow the guidelines for confidentiality of those records in their possession. For further information see ‘Student Record Guidelines’.”

The right to confidentiality is one that gives students a level of privacy that is further addressed in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA. As this right appears in the Golden Rule Student Handbook, confidentiality of student records is held to a high degree of importance.

Victim/Survivor Rights

The ninth Right outlined in the Golden Rule Section 5.006 is the right to Access Provisions for Victims/Survivors of Acts of Violence. The right is framed in the following manner:

“9. Provisions for Victims/Survivors of Acts of Violence. To ensure fairness to victims/survivors of acts of violence throughout the disciplinary process, the University has established the following policy on victims/survivors:

A victim or a survivor may have a person of her or his choice accompany her or him throughout the Student Conduct Review process. This person will act as a support person or advisor but will not represent the victim or survivor.
A victim or survivor may submit a list of questions related to the alleged incident, prior to the hearing, that she or he feels the charged student should be asked during the hearing process.
A victim or survivor may not have her or his irrelevant past conduct, including sexual history, discussed during the hearing. The issue of relevancy shall be determined by the Student Hearing Panel or the hearing officer.
A victim or a survivor may make a “victim or survivor impact statement” and suggest an appropriate sanction (to include appropriate compensations) if the charged student is found to have been in violation of the Rules of Conduct.
A victim or survivor may know the outcome of the student conduct review process after making a commitment to protect the confidentiality for all persons involved as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Regulations, 34 CFR 99(a)(13). However, where the student conduct review process is invoked for a sex offense, both the victim/survivor and the accused must be informed of the final outcome of the student conduct review process without a commitment to protect the confidentiality of the information, pursuant to the Clery Act Regulations, 34 CFR 668.46(b)(11). The "final outcome" means only the final determination with respect to the alleged sex offense and any sanction that is imposed against the accused. If the alleged victim of such crime or offense is deceased as a result of such crime or offense, the next of kin shall be treated as the alleged victim for purposes of paragraph v.”