3.9.1 Student rights

The institution publishes a clear and appropriate statement of student rights and responsibilities and disseminates the statement to the campus community.

Judgment of Compliance

Compliance

Narrative of Justification

Bennett College publishes the Bennett Belle Book annually making the appropriate revisions and adding addendums as necessary. The Bennett Belle Book is posted on the College’s web site and distributed to students during the first semester.  Residential students receive it in their residence halls and commuters are issued notices in their campus boxes directing them to come to the Office of Student Affairs to secure their copies.  All students are required to sign for the student handbook.  This handbook outlines the rights and responsibilities of students and the community standards and expectations of Bennett students.  Copies of the Bennett Belle Book are also distributed to all academic and administrative areas. 

Additionally, Residence Life has its own publication entitled the Guide to Residential Living.  The Office of the Registrar publishes a statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities in conjunction with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.  Counseling and Psychological Services and Health Services also comply with HIPPA Standards.

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs administers the Bennett College Code of Conduct.  The Code outlines community standards and the appeals process. Throughout the years, community members have an opportunity to propose and review the processes and procedures in the document.  The units that have sections are also given the opportunity to revise their sections.  The College’s legal counsel and our risk management insurance carrier have also reviewed the Bennett Belle Book. 

The Bennett Belle Book is on our web site and distributed to students during new student orientation.  There is a joint session with students and their parents during our orientation program where community standards and conduct expectations are discussed.  When students violate the Code, the violation is clearly explained and investigated.  Students have the right to appeal, which is clearly explained when the sanction is delivered.  The appeals process for violations of the Code and/or sanctions is clarified in the Code of Conduct published in the handbook.

Each unit in Student Affairs has at the core of its work the promotion of integrity, responsibility, self-respect, trust, and accountability.  Civility and character development are institutional values and necessary for success, no matter the discipline.  A part of the education process is to support students in addressing concerns when they feel that their rights have been violated.  The Non-Academic Grievance Procedure allows students to formally make complaints that are investigated and referred as appropriate.

Supporting Documents

SOURCE	LOCATION/Special Instructions
Bennett Belle Book	Office of Student Affairs
Code of Conduct	Office of Student Affairs
Guide to Residential Living	Office of Student Affairs
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974	www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
Health Services	Office of Student Affairs
Housing Contract	Office of Student Affairs
Non-Academic Grievance Procedure	Office of Student Affairs
Sample of Conduct Letter	Office of Student Affairs
Samples of Forms Request for Excused Absence Form Student Complaint Form	Office of Student Affairs
Sample of Form where Students Signed for Bennett Belle Book	Office of Student Affairs