Rights and Responsibilities of Students
The following statement is excerpted from a longer
document adopted by the faculty, October 7, 1968, to clarify
the rights and responsibilities of students in the
University.
The purpose of this statement is to affirm those basic
principles that underlie, and to state those policies and
procedures that define, the rights and responsibilities of
the student in the University. These principles hold with
equal force for undergraduate and graduate students,
although their application may lead to different
administrative arrangements reflecting differences in these
two groups.
As constituents of the academic community, students are
expected, individually and collectively, to express their
views on issues of institutional policy and on matters of
general interest to the student body. As expressed through
informal consultation with the president, other officers of
the University, and members of the faculty, student views
are especially valuable and will always play an essential
role in the formulation of policies affecting student
interests. These officers of the University are also
available to discuss any matters of importance with any
student organization. In addition to these important
channels of communication it now seems appropriate to
provide other means through which students can make useful
contributions to decisions that are of special interest and
relevance to their academic, cultural, and social life at
Princeton.
Several purposes are served by student participation in
processes by which decisions are reached in the University.
Their assessment of academic needs and interests and their
suggestions for strengthening the academic program
contribute to the continuing efforts of the trustees,
administration, and faculty to improve the effectiveness of
a Princeton education. By drawing on the ideas and talents
of students to a greater extent, the cultural and
intellectual life of the campus outside the classroom can be
stimulated and these activities made more responsive to
their perceived needs. And although students now bear
substantial responsibility for determining and applying
rules of social conduct, there is reason to believe that
they can make further contributions that will enhance the
conditions of individual and social life at Princeton.
Finally, the availability to students of wider opportunities
for sharing in appropriate decision-making functions will
have a significant educational value in enlisting their
mature and responsible attention to problems that
necessarily have counterparts in the wider world community.
For these several reasons, the University community will
continue to seek clearly defined means for the student body
to participate in the formulation and application of
institutional policy affecting academic and student
affairs.
Faculty Procedures of Concern to Students
The following paragraphs are excerpted from Rules and
Procedures of the Faculty, 1994.
Attendance at Faculty Meetings
Meetings of the faculty shall normally be open for
attendance as observers to representatives of the campus
press, to members of the Executive Committee of the
Undergraduate Student Government, to members of the
Executive Committee of the Graduate Student Government, to
members of the Council of the Princeton University
Community, to the Officers of the Corporation, to the
Associate and Assistant Deans of the Faculty, of the
Graduate School, of the College, and of Undergraduate
Students. Observers shall not attempt by word or deed to
influence the proceedings. Meetings may be broadcast on
campus radio, subject to the conditions of confidentiality
as specified below. Members of University or faculty
committees who have been invited to appear in connection
with a committee report and other guests who have been
invited by the President shall normally be free to remain
during the whole session to which they have been invited.
All in attendance shall be bound to preserve the
confidentiality of any portion of a meeting that has been
designated confidential by a motion to that effect, duly
approved; and, any session may be declared closed to
observers, in whole or in part, on the vote of a two-thirds
majority of the Faculty Advisory Committee on Policy or on
the request of one third of the members of the faculty
present and voting.
Faculty Reconsideration of Proposals Regarding
Undergraduate Curriculum
The faculty shall consider a second vote on any action
taken on a proposal regarding the undergraduate curriculum
when a second vote has been requested by the Caucus of the
Undergraduate Student Government. In any particular academic
year, the faculty commits itself to a second vote on any
action on a proposal regarding the undergraduate curriculum
when, within 30 days exclusive of vacations after such
action, a second vote has been requested by a two-thirds
majority of the Caucus of the Undergraduate Student
Government. In requesting reconsideration, the Caucus of the
Undergraduate Student Government will normally ask that the
Faculty Committee on the Course of Study, meeting jointly
with the Academics Committee of the Undergraduate Student
Government, review their proposal. The faculty would then
reconsider its original action and any amendments or
alternative proposals recommended. The Undergraduate Student
Government may also return the proposal directly to the
faculty, which may reconsider the proposal immediately or
may request review of the proposal by the Committee on the
Course of Study prior to reconsideration. If the action to
be reconsidered is on a proposal that the faculty has
rejected, a majority vote of the faculty shall reverse the
previous decision. If the action to be reconsidered is on a
proposal that has been adopted by the faculty, a two-thirds
vote of the faculty shall be necessary to affirm the
previous decision. The faculty shall not be requested to
reconsider the same action more than once in any academic
year.
Graduate Student Departmental Committees
The following are to be established policies in the
making of decisions with regard to the graduate courses of
study, and departmental chairmen shall be responsible for so
informing the graduate students of their departments at the
beginning of each academic year. However, any of these
policies may be modified by agreement of the faculty and
graduate students of a department, these modifications to
remain in effect until changed by similar procedure.
1. Each department shall establish a departmental
committee of graduate students, to act as a liaison between
the faculty and the graduate student body of the department.
Each committee should normally meet with the committee of
the departmental faculty concerned with graduate studies, if
one exists. The committee of graduate students shall have
the right to initiate discussion of any proposals relating
to the departmental graduate program, shall encourage
students to participate in departmental affairs of special
interest and relevance to them, and shall have the following
additional rights:
a) The right to attach comments to all proposals
forwarded to the Faculty Committee on the Graduate School by
a departmental faculty.
b) The right, in certain circumstances, to secure a
departmental faculty's reconsideration of action taken on
proposals regarding the graduate curriculum. Departments
should seriously consider a second vote on any measures
regarding the department's graduate program when it is
requested by the student committee. In any particular
academic year departmental faculties should commit
themselves to a second vote on such measures if a second
vote is requested within one month by the student
departmental committee in a petition endorsed by two thirds
of the department's graduate students. If the action being
reconsidered is on a proposal that the departmental faculty
has rejected, a majority vote of the departmental faculty
should reverse the previous decision. If the action being
reconsidered is on a proposal that has been adopted by the
departmental faculty, a two-thirds vote of the departmental
faculty should be required to affirm the previous decision.
Departmental faculties should not be bound to reconsider the
same action more than once in the same academic year.
2. Student departmental committees shall be provided with
a reasonable amount of secretarial assistance in preparing
proposals, communicating with departmental students, and
conducting elections.
3. Each departmental chairman shall be responsible
for:
a) Referring all proposals for major changes in the
department's graduate program to the departmental graduate
student committee before action on such proposals by the
faculty of the department.
b) Inviting student committee members to discuss
proposals for major changes in the graduate course of study
with the faculty of the department at or before any meetings
in which the departmental faculty proposes to take action on
such proposals.
c) Scheduling at least two meetings each academic year
with the graduate student committee of the department, one
early in the fall term to work out plans for later
consultation, and one in late spring to review the
department's graduate offerings so that chairmen may take
student views into account in preparing requests for new
staff.
Interaction of Undergraduate Student Government
Committees and Faculty Committees
Whenever the Undergraduate Student Government shall
establish a committee parallel to a faculty committee, the
parallel committees shall at least once a year meet in joint
session. In addition, the chair and one additional member of
such committees of the Undergraduate Student Government
shall meet with those faculty committees which the President
of the University and the officers of the Undergraduate
Student Government believe would benefit from such
participation. The student representatives on faculty
committees shall join freely in committee discussions of
matters of concern to students, and shall be responsible for
presenting the views of the student committee and the
Undergraduate Student Government, when those views are
known. Any student participating in the deliberations of a
faculty committee is bound by the same rules as the faculty
regarding the confidential nature of the proceedings. Within
the bounds of this restriction, he or she may discuss the
matters under consideration with the Undergraduate Student
Government or with other students. Either committee may meet
without the participation of members of the parallel
committee. Before any final recommendation is made on any
matter of general policy concerning students, there will be
an opportunity for the student committee to meet jointly
with the faculty committee involved. Views of the student
committees may be brought to the attention of the full
faculty and the University community.
Individual Student Appeal from Decisions of Faculty
Committees
A student desiring to appeal an action of a Faculty
committee taken on academic grounds which affects directly
his or her academic standing and for which appeal is not
otherwise provided, should notify the Dean of the Faculty in
writing to that effect, specifying the grounds of appeal.
Notification must be made no later than seven days after
receipt of the written notice of the decision which the
student wishes to appeal. The Dean of the Faculty shall
transmit the student's written statement and any other
relevant material directly to the Advisory Committee on
Policy.
In deciding appeals, the Advisory Committee on Policy
will consider whether other committees have followed
established procedures and reached decisions consistent with
University rules and practices. In all cases the decision of
the Advisory Committee on Policy shall be final. If an
appealed action is judged to have been arbitrary or based on
improper or unfair procedures, the appeal will be sustained.
In such a case the Advisory Committee on Policy will
determine a course of action to insure an impartial final
determination of the merits of the case based on proper and
fair procedures.
Coordination Between Faculty and Undergraduates on
Matters Affecting Student Life
The Undergraduate Life Committee. The
Undergraduate Life Committee is concerned with fostering
relationships among academic, residential, and social
experiences of undergraduates and, more generally, with the
tone and character of undergraduate student life. In
conjunction with the Council of Masters, which oversees such
matters in the residential colleges, the Committee reviews
policies affecting residential and extracurricular life for
all undergraduates, giving particular attention to questions
affecting juniors and seniors.
The Committee may advise the Dean of Undergraduate
Students, the Dean of the College, the Vice President for
Campus Life and the President concerning matters under its
purview and may, periodically, report and make
recommendations to the faculty.
The Committee consists of six members of the faculty,
including at least two who are non-tenured and one
residential college master. The following members of the
administration also serve on the Committee: the
Vice-President for Campus Life (chair), the Dean of the
College (or an Assistant or Associate Dean of the College),
the Director of Athletics, Physical Education and
Recreation; the Director of Health Services and the Dean of
Undergraduate Students.
Normally, the Committee will include in its
deliberations, and in the work of any subcommittees which
may develop, student members of the Undergraduate Life
Committee of the Undergraduate Government.
The Council of Masters. The Council of
Masters is concerned with creating and maintaining an
environment in the undergraduate residential colleges which
supports and enhances the educational mission of the
University. In carrying out these responsibilities, the
Council of Masters sets policy for the residential and
dining facilities for which it has general oversight and may
advise the Dean of Undergraduate Students, the Dean of the
College, the Vice President for Campus Life and the
President on matters of general concern. The Council works
in conjunction with, and makes recommendations to, regular
standing committees of the faculty, especially the Committee
on the Course of Study and the Undergraduate Life
Committee.
The Masters of the five undergraduate residential
colleges are appointed to four-year terms by the President
on the recommendation of the Dean of the College and the
Dean of Undergraduate Students. The members of the Council,
in addition to the Masters, include the Dean of the College
(Chair), the Dean of Undergraduate Students, the Vice
President for Campus Life, and the Associate Dean of the
College.
Undergraduate Departmental Committees
To make possible continuing contacts between the
departmental chairs, faculty of the department, and
students, an undergraduate departmental committee shall be
established in each department.
1. In the election of student departmental committees,
such committees and departmental chairs shall be jointly
responsible for adopting procedures that have these
objectives:
a) It should be convenient for the students of the
department to vote.
b) There should be an opportunity for any departmental
student to place names in nomination.
c) It should be easy for relatively small groups of
students to have a representative on their department's
committee and difficult for an organized minority to capture
a disproportionate share of committee positions.
d) There should be reasonable precautions against
multiple balloting and reasonable measures to ensure a fair
count of the vote.
2. Student departmental committees shall be provided with
a reasonable amount of secretarial assistance in preparing
proposals, communicating with departmental majors, and
conducting elections.
3. Departmental chairs shall be responsible for:
a) Referring all proposals for major changes in
departmental undergraduate programs to their student
committees before action on such proposals is taken by
departmental faculties.
b) Inviting members of student committees to discuss
proposals for major changes in departmental undergraduate
programs with departmental faculties at or before any
meetings in which departmental faculties take action on such
proposals.
c) Scheduling at least two meetings each academic year
with their student committees, one early in the fall term to
work out plans for later consultation, and one in late
spring to review departmental undergraduate offerings so
that chairs may take student views into account in preparing
requests for new staff.
4. Student committees and faculty departmental committees
concerned with the undergraduate program (in departments in
which the latter sort of committee exists) shall normally
meet jointly.
5. Student departmental committees have the following
additional rights:
a) The right to attach comments, favorable or
unfavorable, to all proposals forwarded by the faculties of
their departments to the Committee on the Course of
Study.
b) The right in certain circumstances to secure a
departmental faculty's reconsideration of action taken on
proposals regarding the course of study for undergraduate
students. Specifically: Departmental faculties should
seriously consider a second vote on any measure regarding
the department's undergraduate program, when a second vote
is requested by the student committee of the department. In
any particular academic year departmental faculties should
commit themselves to a second vote on such measures if a
second vote is requested within one month by the student
committee in a petition endorsed by two thirds of the
department's majors. If the action being reconsidered is on
a proposal that the departmental faculty has rejected, a
majority vote of the departmental faculty should reverse the
previous decision. If the action being reconsidered is on a
proposal that has been adopted by the departmental faculty,
a two-thirds vote of the departmental faculty should be
required to affirm the previous decision.
Undergraduate Student Government
The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) plays an
important role in many areas of direct concern to
undergraduates, including participating in the formulation
of various University policies and the sponsorship of a wide
variety of programs and activities. The USG encourages all
undergraduates to read the USG constitution, which can be
found on the USG Web page and to call the USG Hotline at
258-3102 with any concerns they have about the University
policy.
Purpose
As stated in the Constitution of the USG, the purposes of
the USG are:
1. to serve as the representative of the undergraduates
of Princeton University to the faculty, administration, and
trustees of the University;
2. to represent the undergraduates of Princeton
University to persons or groups outside of the University
whenever such representation is called for;
3. to exercise leadership in all activities affecting the
life of the undergraduates of Princeton University;
4. to provide services for the University and members of
the University community;
5. to discuss, deliberate, and vote on any question
relating to or affecting undergraduate life at Princeton
University, or any other question of interest to the
undergraduates.
The Student Senate
All terms last for one year. The voting members of the
Student Senate are as follows:
l. the President, Vice President, and Treasurer, elected
in December;
2. the chairs of the Undergraduate Life Committee,
Academics Committee, and Campus and Community Affairs
Committee, elected in December;
3. the ten undergraduate members of the Council of the
Princeton University Community and the Social Chair, elected
in April;
4. six Senators, two from three classes; first-years,
sophomores, and juniors elect Senators in December.
Committees of the Student Senate
l. Members of the Undergraduate Life Committee meet
monthly with the Vice President for Campus Life and the
faculty Undergraduate Life Committee to review policies and
make recommendations regarding nonacademic life.
2. The Academics Committee represents the undergraduates
in matters of academic policy and offers academic-related
services, such as the Student Course Guide, to the
undergraduate student body.
3. The Social Committee sponsors a wide variety of social
events for undergraduates.
4. The Campus and Community Affairs Committee works to
improve town-gown relations.
5. The Projects Board makes grants and loans each
semester to University- registered student
organizations.
Class Officers
Each class elects in April a President, Vice President,
Treasurer, Secretary, and Social Chair. They are mostly
responsible for coordinating social and service activities
for the class they represent.
Referenda
1. Methods of Calling a Referendum
a) Referenda concurrent with USG elections.
Following a one-third vote of the Student Senate or upon
petition of two hundred undergraduates, a referendum will be
placed on the ballot of the nearest upcoming USG
election.
b) Referenda held during the rest of the year.
Within three weeks (excluding vacations) of a two-thirds
vote of the Student Senate or receipt of a petition of five
hundred undergraduates a referendum will be held. If a USG
election occurs during the three week period, the referenda
will be held concurrently with the election.
2. Any undergraduate wishing to petition for a referendum
shall notify the USG Vice President of this intention. The
USG Elections Committee shall determine the proper form for
the referendum. Completed petitions must be submitted no
later than four weeks after notification.
3. The Student Senate shall be bound by the result of the
referendum if at least one-sixth of regularly enrolled
undergraduates vote in the majority. If the proposal
contained in the referendum amends the USG Constitution or
the Projects Board Charter, then the amendment shall be
considered adopted if three-fifths of those voting,
including at least one-sixth of the regularly enrolled
undergraduates, vote in the affirmative.
Campus Associations and Activities
Students engaging in extracurricular activities on campus
are free to form organizations devoted to a wide variety of
objectives, and, as individuals or members of organizations,
to express their views on issues of University and public
interest. In these matters the University policy is to
encourage free and responsible behavior of students, to hold
to a minimum those regulations essential to the orderly
conduct of extracurricular activities, and to seek in all
ways to maintain the freedom enjoyed by students as
participants in the life of the Princeton University
community.
University recognition will not be withheld from any
group pursuing lawful objectives merely because its aims may
seem unorthodox. Student organizations may invite outside
speakers of their choice, and are free to hold meetings and
in other ways to express their views, subject only to
prudent conditions regarding the protection of people and
property and to reasonable regulations concerning time,
place, and notice of meetings and other public
exercises.
Demonstrations and the distribution of leaflets,
statements, or petitions are permitted on the campus unless,
or until, they disrupt the regular and essential operations
of the University or significantly infringe upon the rights
of others. If it becomes necessary to prevent a
demonstration from exceeding these guidelines, the
University will first attempt to use persuasion; the
University will then, if necessary, use its own security
personnel, and will call in outside law enforcement
officials only as a last resort.
These policies are intended to safeguard the rights of
students and student organizations to freedom of
association. At the same time, candor and openness must be
recognized as fundamental in an academic community, and the
University does not look with favor on clandestine
organizations. Furthermore, the activities of student
organizations inevitably involve the University, which has,
on occasion, been called upon to help to ensure that they
meet financial and other obligations. For these several
reasons, the University must ask student organizations which
expect recognition by the University, identification through
the use of the name of the University, and normal use of
University facilities, to register the names of their
officers and their basic objectives or purposes.
Upon filing a request with the appropriate University
official, nonprofit and profit-making campus-based
organizations will usually be granted permission to
distribute literature, solicit donations, and seek customers
on campus, subject to the general University regulations
prohibiting obstruction of University activities or
interference with individual rights. Authorization for such
activities must be obtained from the Office of the Dean of
Undergraduate Students in the case of buildings and grounds
on the main campus; the Office of the Dean of the Graduate
School in the case of the Graduate College; or the Office of
the Director of the Plasma Physics Laboratory in the case of
the buildings and grounds on the Forrestal Campus.
Authorization to solicit in academic buildings or University
offices will be granted only after consultation with the
responsible academic and administrative officers. In the
case of profit-making activities, regulations governing
student agencies will apply.
Detailed guidelines for undergraduate organizations are
available at the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate
Students, 313 West College. Guidelines for graduate students
are available from the Associate Dean of the Graduate
School, 302 Nassau Hall.
Student Publications
Student publications and broadcasting organizations are a
valuable aid in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere
of free and responsible discussion and of intellectual
exploration on the campus. They are a means of bringing
student concerns to the attention of the faculty and
administration and of formulating student opinion on various
issues on the campus and in the world at large. In pursuit
of these goals, student publications enjoy the freedom of
the press. At the same time, the editorial freedom of
student editors and managers entails a corollary obligation
to be governed by the canons of responsible journalism.
|