From the very first day that students arrive at AU, they should be fully aware of their rights on campus. Before June when Student Government began to fight for a student rights petition, word of mouth was the only reliable way to get this information.
On Nov. 5, SG published its student rights report online. The report aims to make students fully aware of their rights on campus through creating an easy-to-understand guide.
Although often overlooked, the ambiguity of the AU Student Conduct Code is a serious problem. The current handbook is so full of jargon that it is basically useless to most students. Even if one is able to get past the language, it only lists what students can’t do, leaving us to question what our rights actually are.
At a school where students are incredibly politically active, it is upsetting that this subject hasn’t been brought up until now. Most students assume we have our First Amendment rights on campus; however, at private universities these are never guaranteed. Students need clarity because there are many situations where the freedoms we have could be easily compromised due to ignorance.
Freedom of speech is limited on AU’s campus. The policy states that there is freedom of speech on campus until it is considered harassment. In a previous staff editorial, The Eagle outlined how AU’s definition of harassment is unclear. So,how are students supposed to know what they can and cannot say?
In the protest against Gov. Jan Brewer last year, students received Student Conduct Code violations. At a school where we take pride in our right to protest and freedom of speech, we need to be aware of these guidelines.
SG’s initiative to codify student rights is highly overdue and incredibly important. If this student rights report succeeds, students will no longer be stuck in situations where they are unaware of their rights. When this happens, it is easy for the administration or faculty to twist rules depending on the situation. Students can check the administration’s power through understanding their rights. A clear student rights policy would help the administration understand students’ rights as well, and help negate conflict down the line.
Because SG has been working on this initiative since June, we have high hopes that this report and petition will be acted on within the year. The action taken doesn’t have to be anything grand. Something as simple as a pamphlet handed out to students with their rights and privileges clearly explained as they enter their freshman year would suffice. Students need clarity on what to expect from themselves, the faculty and the administration.
Hats off to SG for taking initiative to fight through the red tape and bring clarity back to AU
students. -E
edpage@theeagleonline.com
