Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 
    
2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Right to Discuss, Inquire, Express and Petition


Return to: Student Handbook  

Each member of the University community is free to express, individually or collectively, his or her views on issues of University policy and procedures and on matters of general interest to students. Interchange of views between students and faculty—person-to-person, in discussion groups or meetings and by written documents presented personally—is encouraged. It is the tradition of students and professors on this campus to speak freely and to listen courteously to the opinions of others. The emphasis is on rational persuasion and equal participation rather than imposition or the techniques of mass psychology. Negative statements in public directed against the principles and purposes of the University, orally or in writing, are not suitable means of effecting improvements at Andrews University. Students who are dissatisfied with the purposes of the University and the practices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church must remember they enrolled voluntarily and with knowledge of the mission and the nature of the program at Andrews, and they are free to leave the University at any time.

In the classroom, professors should encourage free and responsible discussion, inquiry and expression. Classroom discussions and commentary must remain respectful of—and not distract from—a professor’s goals and objectives for the class.

Outside the classroom, free and responsible discussion, inquiry and expression are also encouraged. Student officers, committees and other regular student units should be free from undue intervention or pressure. Any duly elected student officer or standing committee may study any University issue within the area of the Andrews University Student Association jurisdiction and may present recommendations to any University officer or committee. Student organizations are free, in publicly called sessions, to examine and to discuss with University officers questions germane to the objectives of the University and to express opinions. Student organizations may invite any person or group when the purpose (as determined by the University president) of such an invitation is consistent with the purpose and objectives of the University. Invitations to persons external to the University shall be subject to review by the University president. This is to ensure that such occasions be conducted in harmony with the spiritual mission and values of the University.

The right to discuss, inquire, express and petition does not include the right to interfere with the regular activities of the University or to hinder or intimidate others in accomplishing the educational, scholarly and spiritual purposes of the University. A student (or group of students) who wishes to express views with the goal of achieving constructive changes should discuss the matter directly with the University officer in whose area of responsibility the matter falls. Prior to any publication in the news media, petitions for action should first be presented directly to a University officer.

At the discretion of the chairperson, officers of the Student Association or any other recognized student group may be invited to appear before the University officers or some other council or committee to present petitions or points of view. Joint meetings between University committees and student committees may be held regularly or at agreed times. Student Association officers may petition the faculty. At the discretion of the president or the provost, students may appear before faculty sessions.

Non-disruptive protest demonstrations, such as marches and picketing, with or without placards, are not typically appropriate because these methods symbolize divisiveness, which is contrary to the spirit espoused at Andrews University. Public, non-disruptive demonstrations, such as public rallies, discussions and interviews, held on the campus require approval of the president or his designated representative and must be presented for review to the Office of the President at least ten days prior to the occasion. The president shall have the authority to determine the time and location of such meetings so as not to disrupt the regular school program and to approve or appoint chairpersons for such meetings. Participants in these meetings, other than faculty, staff and currently enrolled students, must be approved by the president or his designated representative before the invitation to participate is given.

Student communication media such as the Student Movement, Cardinal, etc., are aids in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of responsible discussion and intellectual exploration on the Andrews campus. They communicate the activities and interests of Andrews students, as well as help form student opinion. Since the University has the ultimate responsibility for the content of student publications issued on the campus, the University president, through the Student Association, delegates editorial responsibility to the editor under the guidance of the faculty advisor or the Student Communications Board, who may suspend editorial decisions. University officers, faculty and staff members shall share their concerns, if any, to the editor through the advisor.