Article III: Bill of Student Rights

In order to preserve and guarantee the students of Centre College those conditions which are indispensable to the full achievement of the objectives of higher education in a free democratic society, the student body of the College holds the following rights essential to the complete development of the student as an individual and to the fulfillment of his/her responsibilities as a citizen of that society:

  1. The right to maintain democratic student government and to establish a constitution and any other such regulations as may be deemed necessary and proper to achieve that end.
  2. As it pertains to Student Judiciary hearings, the right to a fair and impartial hearing with the following inviolable rights specifically guarded: (a) written notice of the charge forty-eight hours before the hearing; (b) the right to present a defense; (c) the right to call and examine witnesses; (d) the right to the assistance of an advisor chosen from students, faculty and administration at Centre College; (e) the right to confront all testimony presented by the presenter of the case; (f) the right to produce evidence on one’s own behalf; (g) the right to be free from self-incrimination; (h) the right to be present at all proceedings of the judiciary, except its private deliberations; and (i) the right to appeal within forty-eight hours following a decision in all disciplinary matters.
  3. The right to petition through proper channels for redress of grievances, including changes in curriculum, faculty members, or grading systems.
  4. The right of students to a clear and concise statement, upon admission to the College, of their contractual rights, obligations, and responsibilities pertaining to education, extracurricular activities, and college housing.
  5. The right of students and student organizations to use campus facilities, provided the facilities are used for the purpose contracted, subject only to such regulations as are required for scheduling meeting times and places and maintaining the facilities.
  6. The right of every student to exercise his/her full rights as a citizen in forming and participating in campus, local, national, or international organizations for intellectual, religious, social, political, economic, or cultural purposes, and to publish and/or determine his/her views and those of his/her organization on campus.
  7. The right of students, individually, or in association with other individuals, to engage freely in off-campus activities, exercising their rights as citizens of community, state, and nation, provided they do not claim to represent the College.