Standards of conduct are established in order to generate an atmosphere in which the goals and objectives of the institution can flourish. Individual rights can only be ensured with acceptance of individual and group responsibilities and respect for the rights of others. Individuals attending Grand Valley State University (GVSU) automatically place themselves under the applicable rules and regulations of the institution. The judicial system, herein described, provides full due process and is consonant with constitutional guarantees.

Section 100.00: INTRODUCTION.

A University is charged with a specialized purpose in that it must seek, disseminate and use knowledge in pursuing truth. The pursuit of truth is a sensitive undertaking that flourishes only under special conditions or circumstances. To create and sustain these special conditions, the academic community has long upheld these beliefs:

• That freedom of inquiry and freedom of expression are indispensable elements of academic life;
• That a thoughtful and reasoned search for truth can be conducted only in an atmosphere free of intimidation or coercion;
• That respect for the rights of others is essential;
• That tolerance for differing opinions is a fundamental requirement of the open forum;
• That adaptation and change are necessary processes for preserving and renewing aninstitution; and
• That neither violence nor the threat of violence has any place inside the academy.

Accordingly the University recognizes the following rights as limited or regulated by the following responsibilities, by constitutional and statutory duties of the University, and by duly adopted University policies and regulations. Most of such regulations are to be found within this Student Code.

Section 100.01: DISCRIMINATION.

Right: Every aspect of University life should be free from discrimination because of age, color, disability, familial status, height, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or weight. Student housing, organizations, athletics, classes and University community facilities should be open to all who desire to participate.

Responsibility: It is the responsibility of all members of the academic community to ensure through word and action that discrimination because of age, color, disability, familial status, height, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or weight is not present in University activities or in the University community.

Referral: Students with concerns of discrimination or harassment of any kind should consult with the Dean of Students or the Assistant Vice President for Affirmative Action. Complaints regarding discrimination or harassment should be filed with the Affirmative Action Office.

Section 100.02: GOVERNANCE.

Right: All members of the University (faculty, students and administration) should be free to make recommendations on institutional governance. The various segments of the academic community should be represented on committees and councils as appropriate, and whether or not represented on a given body, should have the right to expect that recommendations they submit will have an adequate hearing and that there will be a response forthcoming.

Responsibility: All members of the University must recognize that the ultimate power of decision has been vested by the governing board in the chief administration officer or a designee(s) in a responsible fashion. It is the responsibility of University members who are dissatisfied with decisions that have been made relative to institutional governance to utilize existing channels of appeal to reverse a decision. Any action that disrupts the normal operation of the institution will thereby place individuals in violation of University or civil codes and subject them to all resultant penalties.

Section 100.03: INQUIRY AND EXPRESSION.

Right: Students collectively or individually should have the freedom to examine and discuss all questions that are of interest to them and to express opinion publicly as well as privately.They should always be free to support causes by orderly means.

Responsibility: Students should refrain from not only illegally obscene expression, but also from expression which substantially and materially disrupts or interferes with rights of others. The freedom to support causes by orderly means carries with it the responsibility not to materially and substantially disrupt the regular and essential operation of the University, nor to cause material and substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others.

Section 100.04: PROTEST.

Right: Members of the University community should be free to protest any topic that is considered to be important to them.

Responsibility: The freedom to protest carries the responsibility to ensure that the freedoms of those not protesting are respected. University functioning must be upheld for the protection of those who do not support a protest. It is thereby the responsibility of protesters to utilize only those methods of protest that will emphasize their position, but will not materially disrupt classwork or appropriate discipline in the operation of the University, and will not involve substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others.

Section 100.05: IMPROPER DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.

Right: All members of the academic community should be protected against improper disclosure of information pertaining to academic records, evaluations by others, and personal comments made in confidence. All persons should have assurance that information about an individual will be available only to persons who have legal interest or "need to know" as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as amended, or by other University policies.

Responsibility: It is the responsibility of each member of the University to respect the nature of confidential information and to provide for the protection of confidential and privileged information, as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as amended, or by other University policies.

Section 100.06: IN THE CLASSROOM.

Right: Students and faculty should be free to express their thoughts and positions on all issues pertaining to curricular material being presented in the classroom. There should be freedom to express opposing views on all subject by all individuals.

Responsibility: It is the responsibility of all participants in the classroom to present their thoughts and positions in a logical, cogent manner. Evidence must be presented to support statements made on controversial subjects. It is the responsibility of the individual to recognize that the University does not provide exemption forstatements held to be libelous or slanderous. It is the responsibility of the individual to refrain from conduct which materially disrupts classwork or involves substantial disorder or invasion of the right of others.

Section 100.07: CURRICULUM REVISION.

Right: All members of the University (faculty, students and administration) should be free to present proposals for curricular revision.

Responsibility: Each member group of the University must recognize that curricular revisions entail perceiving the scope of the entire University. Each group should be willing to accept decisions reached after careful review of proposals provided by other groups.

Section 100.08: ASSOCIATION.

Right: Students should be free to affiliate and organize for educational, political, social, religious or cultural purposes. Associations should be free to voice their position on issues as long as there is no disruption of normal University activities in the process.

Responsibility: Student organizations have a responsibility to protect the rights of individuals who do not desire to affiliate or sympathize with their position. Members of organizations should be responsible for their actions as individuals. Organizations and affiliations must be consistent with legal mandates of the state and nation in order to gain recognition by University officials.

Section 100.09: SPEAKERS AND TOPICS.

Right: Student organizations should be free to invite speakers to the campus to speak on any topic chosen by the students. There should be freedom to use University facilities for speakers invited to campus, and the scheduling of facilities should not be used as a selective deterrent for excluding controversial speakers.

Responsibility: Students and student organizations must recognize that the presentation of a balanced program of speakers and topics is essential for a true and comprehensive analysis of critical issues. While some organizations may support certain principles to the exclusion of others, the opportunity to hear opposing views is vital if an informed student body is to result. Furthermore, students and student organizations must take reasonable precautions for the safe and orderly conduct of speakers and the audience. Where a controversial speaker is likely to generate demonstrations from other student groups, the sponsoring organization must recognize the rights of other groups and consider the impact of inviting each speaker on the orderly and lawful functioning of the University.

Section 100.10: THE PRESS.

Right: All student publications should enjoy the freedom of the press to the extent accorded all written media in the United States. There should be editorial freedom to develop policies and news coverage as determined by the students.

Responsibility: The student publication should be responsible for ensuring the balanced representation of views on crucial issues is accorded all interested parties. As a forum for student opinion, it should be possible to air responsible views regardless of any dissemblance with editorial belief. It is the responsibility of the student publication to be governed by the laws of responsible journalism, such as the avoidance of libel, obscenity, statements which substantially and materially disrupt or interfere with the rights of others, undocumented allegations, attack on personal integrity, and the techniques of harassment and innuendo.

It is the responsibility of the student publication to verify the accuracy of all printed matter and to recognize that each publication will be subject to the legal exigencies that may arise from the improper reporting of news.

Section 100.11: OFF-CAMPUS.

Right: University members must be free from University restriction of off-campus activities. Normally, codes prescribed by the University do not extend beyond the boundaries of the campuses. However, the University reserves the right to investigate and to take action regarding student behavior in off-campus situations when such behavior is believed to have a negative impact on the University community. Examples of situations include, but are not limited to:

• alleged instances of criminal activity commencing on-campus but relocated off-campus or vice versa;
• off-campus harassment or assault of a University member;
• criminal activity involving a member of a University-sponsored organization whether perpetrated as a member of the organization or as an individual.

Responsibility: Individuals are responsible for their actions whether they occur on campus or off campus. It is the responsibility of individuals to separate membership in the University from off-campus activities that are not sanctioned activities of the University.

Section 100.12: PRIVATE CITIZEN.

Right: Students should be free to utilize their rights as citizens to the extent accorded any citizen of the United States. Students should be free to participate in off-campus activities that are of their own choosing.

Responsibility: Activities conducted by members of a University are not conducted in the name of the University unless authorized, and participants are responsible to civil authorities for their actions. Students should not expect that University officials will come to their defense for activities committed in violation of civil codes.