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Student Union puts out a first draft of the student Bill of Rights
News | 3/25/08
Posted online at 1:31 AM EST on 3/25/08
The Student Union released a draft of a student Bill of Rights last Monday, the purpose of which is to inform students of their rights and the ways in which they can defend them.
The bill has been in the works since the start of the 2007 to 2008 academic year, and members of various sectors of the Brandeis community helped compose it. The Union will hold a forum to discuss the draft today at 6:30 p.m. At the end of the academic year, a revised bill will be put up for a referendum, at which point the student body will vote on whether or not to enact it.
"The purpose of the bill is to substantiate the rights that students deserve," said Director of Union Affairs Jason Gray '10, who spearheaded the project.
The bulk of the document affirms students' First Amendment rights, including the freedoms of speech, press and association. It states that students "should be free to advocate for any viewpoint in which they believe and that is protected by law," that the administration cannot censor or regulate student speech and that students cannot be disciplined for expressing controversial viewpoints.
The bill guarantees due process to students facing disciplinary action, including the right to a fair hearing and the right to present witnesses. It also establishes students' right to privacy and the system by which the administration can legally invade it.
In addition to establishing due process, the bill states that "Students have a right to request emergency treatment without fear of punishment" in order to encourage underage students to report excessive intoxication.
The bill also asserts that the students have the right to congregate and engage in any legal activity, and that the administration does not have a right to impose advisors on student organizations. However, the bill does impose some restrictions on students' right to protest, stating that although students may hold rallies, they cannot disrupt campus life, and they must notify the Office of the Dean of Student Life before the event.
The bill has been in the works since the start of the 2007 to 2008 academic year, and members of various sectors of the Brandeis community helped compose it. The Union will hold a forum to discuss the draft today at 6:30 p.m. At the end of the academic year, a revised bill will be put up for a referendum, at which point the student body will vote on whether or not to enact it.
"The purpose of the bill is to substantiate the rights that students deserve," said Director of Union Affairs Jason Gray '10, who spearheaded the project.
The bulk of the document affirms students' First Amendment rights, including the freedoms of speech, press and association. It states that students "should be free to advocate for any viewpoint in which they believe and that is protected by law," that the administration cannot censor or regulate student speech and that students cannot be disciplined for expressing controversial viewpoints.
The bill guarantees due process to students facing disciplinary action, including the right to a fair hearing and the right to present witnesses. It also establishes students' right to privacy and the system by which the administration can legally invade it.
In addition to establishing due process, the bill states that "Students have a right to request emergency treatment without fear of punishment" in order to encourage underage students to report excessive intoxication.
The bill also asserts that the students have the right to congregate and engage in any legal activity, and that the administration does not have a right to impose advisors on student organizations. However, the bill does impose some restrictions on students' right to protest, stating that although students may hold rallies, they cannot disrupt campus life, and they must notify the Office of the Dean of Student Life before the event.
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Daniel Baron
posted 3/26/08 @ 6:03 AM EST
Did I miss something else?
Jason Gray signed legislation that EXPLICITLY stifled freedom of speech. This goes directly against the very reforms that he is trying to make. (Continued…)
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