Student rights & freedoms

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. Students should exercise their freedom with responsibility. (Taken from the Preamble of the "Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students". For the complete "Joint Statement", see Administrative Policies section G. of the UNCW Code of Student Life.)

The "Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students" further describes the rights and freedoms of students as follows. 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. Faculty should ensure that students enjoy the following protections:

Protection of freedom of expression. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course or 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.

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 maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled.

Protection against improper disclosure. Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations which professors acquire in the course of their work as instructors, 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.

See also students' privacy rights under the Buckley Amendment.