The Southern University Board of Supervisors subscribes to the principle that the freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom and that the freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. The following provisions are essential for freedom to learn.
The University is committed to the principle that students in the classroom should be encouraged to exercise free discussion, inquiry and expression relative to the subject matter of the discipline involved, and that student performance should be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinion or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.
The Chancellor of the University, with the advice and assistance of appropriate members of the administrative staff and the faculty shall formulate and issue regulations pertaining to the keeping of student records in accordance with law and appropriate respect for privacy. These regulations shall provide for maintaining separate academic and disciplinary records and shall clearly indicate the kinds of confidentiality which should be respected as regards the records and the conditions of access to them. Administrative staff and faculty members shall respect the confidentiality of information about students, which they acquire in the course of their work.
The following standards shall be observed as regards the freedom of students:
A. Freedom of Association.
Students bring to the campus a variety of interests previously acquired and develop many new interests as members of the academic community. They shall be free to organize and join associations to promote their common interests in keeping with the law and University policies.
B. Freedom of inquiry and Expression.
Students and student organizations shall be free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them. They shall be free to support causes by orderly means, which do not disrupt the regular and essential operations of the institution. At the same time, students have the responsibility to make clear that, in their public expressions, they and their organizations speak only for themselves.
C. Student Participation in University Governance.
As constituents of the academic community, students shall be given the opportunity to participate in the formulation of institutional policy, particularly in the area of student affairs. Students shall be represented on the Board of Supervisors in accordance with applicable State law and Board of Supervisors rule(s) governing appointment of said representative. (4-23-99)
D.Student Publications/Media
Student publications and electronic media are valuable aids in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and in providing an environment which fosters intellectual exploration on campus. Students shall be given the opportunity to publicize activities and events relevant to the university community through the official campus student newspaper, student yearbook, student electronic media, and the newsletters of officially registered student organizations. In their roles as student journalists, students are ensured the maximum freedom of expression. However, the policy should be clearly communicated that these publications and electronic media serve as forums for student expression and as laboratories for training. Students are expected to abide by the commonly accepted legal and ethical standards of responsible journalism, especially as it relates to nudity, obscene language, statements or comments that can be deemed libelous and/or disruptive of the educational process. Student publications and other media shall be governed by the canons of responsible journalism. (1-7-00)
Business Contact Information
The Office of the Registrar is located on the 1st Floor of T.H. Harris Hall, P.O. Box 9454, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813.
Phone: (225) 771-5050; Fax: (225) 771-5064