STATEMENT OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MEMBERS OF SPALDING COMMUNITY

Members of the Spalding University community are expected to become familiar with, and to foster in their lives, the mission of Spalding University.  The following statement of students’ rights and responsibilities is intended to reflect the philosophical mission upon which Spalding University was founded.  In its most basic dimension, this means upholding the spiritual values of honesty, integrity, respect and support for the rights and wellbeing of others and accountability for one's behavior.  This philosophy acknowledges the existence of both rights and responsibilities, which are inherent to an individual, not only as a student at Spalding University, but also as a citizen of this country and of the world we all share.   

Students’ Rights 

• Each student shall have the right to participate in all educational and co-curricular areas and activities of the University, free from discrimination or harassment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status. 
• A student shall have the right to participate in a free exchange of ideas, expression, petition and peaceful assembly in accordance with related university policies. 
• A student has the right to personal privacy except as otherwise provided by law, and this will be observed by students and University authorities alike. 

• Each student has the right to a fundamentally fair process if subject to disciplinary action arising from violations of University academic or behavioral policies. 

Students’ Responsibilities 

• A student has the responsibility to respect the rights and property of others, including other students, faculty and staff and the University. 
• A student has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with the behavioral and academic rules as outlined in the Student Handbook and University Catalog and to comply with these rules, as well as federal, state, and local laws. 
• A student has the responsibility to recognize that their words, actions and inactions can impact others in the learning community and that being called upon to critically examine one’s values, beliefs and behaviors in relation to others is an inherent part of higher education.    

• A student has the responsibility to maintain a level of behavior which is consistent in supporting the learning environment of the institution and to recognize the University’s obligation to provide a safe learning environment.