Oregon Coast Community College students, as members of our learning community, have a specific set of rights. Although not all rights are enumerated in this document, it is important to note the most fundamental rights of every student.
Freedom of Inquiry and Expression
Freedom of Inquiry and Expression. Students have a right to freedom of inquiry and expression; those rights vary depending on which location and environment a student is in at the time. In a non-public Forum (classrooms, curricular activity locations, educational lectures or debates, and staff offices), during discussion time as identified by the instructor/staff person, students shall be free to express a point of view that differs with the information or views presented by the instructor/staff without it affecting their grades or causing other penalty, as long as the disagreement is not disruptive to the instructional or educational process. Students are responsible for learning the content and academically presented point of view of any course for which they have enrolled, even if they disagree with the course content. Students are also responsible for learning their responsibilities under this Code.
In an open public forum, students and student organizations shall be free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately. They are free to support causes by orderly means that do not disrupt the regular and essential operation of the
institution and that do not deprive others of their rights to free expression. At the same time, members of student clubs or other expressive groups shall make clear to the academic and the larger community that their public expressions or demonstrations speak only for themselves, not for the College.
Actions by individuals or groups which deny free expression rights of others, silence a speaker, disrupt the operations of the institution, or obstruct or restrain others by physical force are subject to consequences; illegal actions may cause a student/guest to be subject to arrest, financial restitution, and/or charges of violations of the Code of Conduct by OCCC resulting in various forms of sanction.
Freedom to Create Student Publications
Student publications and student press provide avenues for free and responsible discussion of topics. Editors and managers are protected from arbitrary suspension and removal due to editorial policy or content. Editors and managers can be removed as the result of a breaking of OCCC community standards which are unrelated to expressed content.
Freedom of Association Through Student Organizations
Students shall be free to organize and join associations to promote their common interests subject to the following considerations:
- The College reserves the right to not recognize clubs which pose health or safety risks. If a club otherwise meets club criteria and follows appropriate processes, a club shall be recognized through Associated Student Government and the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs (VPASA). The club and its members shall then follow OCCC rules and guidelines.
- Student clubs are open to any registered OCCC student. Policies and actions of a student organization are to be decided by vote of members (and not by the College), and will be determined by vote of only those persons who are OCCC students. Some activities of student organizations will require College approval. Clubs affiliated with an external organization may be permitted to follow the larger organization’s membership requirements when not restricting an OCCC protected class.
- Student organizations shall be free to select their own OCCC advisor, with consent of that person’s supervisor. Advisors must be either full-time faculty or staff currently employed by OCCC. OCCC staff serve the College community as compensated employees when they accept the responsibility to advise and consult with student organizations to provide guidance to the group on college procedure and policy. Advising is an assigned duty, with consent of the advisor assigned. Advisors are required to complete training on applicable College policies and procedures.
- On specific dates, student organizations shall be required to submit a statement of purpose, criteria for membership (if limited), rules of procedures, a current list of officers with contact information, and a list of active members who are verified students, as a condition of institutional recognition on specific dates.
- Student organizations, including those affiliated with an extramural organization, shall be open to all students and shall comply with the OCCC Nondiscrimination policy. Disability accommodations are available to students while participating in any OCCC activity, including clubs.
Right to Participate in Institutional Governance
Student representation on selected OCCC councils and committees and in student government roles, activities, and processes provides an opportunity for students to participate in institutional governance.
Right to Protections of Civil Rights: Equal Opportunity and Freedom from Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Domestic Violence, Partner Violence, and Unlawful Discrimination
OCCC prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, ethnicity, use of native language, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, disability, veteran status, age, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Right to Report a Concern or Complaint Without Fear of Retaliation
Students have a right to report a concern, complaint, or misconduct of any person (employee, student or guest) without retaliation. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their concerns directly with the other person first, with the goal of establishing a mutual resolution, as long as they can do so safely. When resolution does not occur, reports and requests for assistance are to be submitted either to the supervisor of the individual employee or by filing a complaint. In the case of complaints against a college department or employee, students are strongly encouraged to seek resolution through the department manager or the supervisor prior to filing a complaint form. The College favors early resolution of disputes and encourages timely reporting.
Right to Fair Processes
To ensure each student has fair treatment, the College has processes described in this policy and all other dispute processes which are a student right prior to any final adverse action. A student shall be given notice and opportunity to be heard prior to assigning any final consequence or sanction for misconduct, unless a student waives that right. However, nothing in this policy shall prevent the College from temporary exclusion or administrative actions, pending the outcome of an investigation.
In conduct processes, students shall have the right to tell their story and submit evidence or witness information prior to a final decision. Generally, there is no right to confront an accuser, as our processes comprise educationally based student behavioral intervention and not a civil or criminal code adjudication. However, when the law requires, students shall be given other rights, such as the right to question or confront their accuser or the accused (a possible right in cases of sexual assault).
Other Student Rights as Published in Local, State, or Federal Law. Local, state, and federal laws give students other rights, including but not limited to:
- The right to audio-record instructor lectures with notice to the instructor (but not to record student discussion without consent. There is no right to take a photo or video-record any person in class.)
- Rights to privacy and rights to confidential records. (See Oregon law. See FERPA.)
Acknowledgement: OCCC appreciates permission from Blue Mountain Community College and Linn-Benton Community College to borrow existing language from their approved Student Rights and Code of Conduct documents.