Student Rights and Responsibilities
Residence Life and Housing
Community Matters
Community matters and each member of each community matters. The College itself is a community, but each residence hall and each section of each residence hall constitute communities themselves. As members of a community, all residents have rights; they also have responsibilities to the community. Living in a community is a very rewarding, yet often challenging experience.
Students living in residence halls quickly learn that they are not alone, and that their choices, actions and behaviors affect their neighbors. They also learn that they depend on one another at some level. Living in a community doesn't necessarily mean that the members must all be close friends; however, mutual respect is a necessity.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
In accordance with Chapter 416 of the Laws of 1988 and the State University Board of Trustees Resolution 89-130, adopted June 21, 1989, SUNY Oswego has adopted standards for policies on rights and responsibilities of student residents. In the development of policies, the college endorses and strives to incorporate the principles of the 1987 Association of College and University Housing Officers - International statement of student's rights and responsibilities. That statement is as follows:
Residents in university housing facilities possess specific individual and group rights and responsibilities which must serve to guide Housing personnel in making decisions concerning student welfare and behavior. The following statements define minimal expectations regarding these rights and responsibilities. Each resident has the right to engage in activities that are a part of campus life. However, these rights carry with them reciprocal responsibilities on the part of the individual to insure these same rights for other residents. Individuals must be educated regarding these particular rights and responsibilities that are associated with community living.
Students have the right...
- To have free access to their living accommodations.
- To live in a clean and secure environment.
- To expect a regionally competitive price on housing accommodations and/or food service.
- To obtain written copies of college housing rules and regulations, or individual building policies which govern individual and group behavior.
- To the respect and safety of personal property.
- To study without interruption or interference.
- To be free from unreasonable noise.
- To be free of intimidation or harassment.
- To express themselves creatively within established guidelines.
- To expect enforcement of the housing agreement/contract.
- To direct access of staff who provide assistance, guidance, and support as needed.
- To host guests within established guidelines.
- To equitable treatment when behavior is in question.
- To receive individual treatment when behavior is in question.
- To enjoy individual freedoms without regard to race, sex, national origin, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.
- To participate in student governmental bodies and Residence Life and Housing departmental committees.
- To participate in individual and group educational and developmental opportunities in their living community.
Students have the responsibility...
- To adhere to rules and regulations.
- To comply with reasonable requests made by staff, or university officials.
- To meet expected housing and dining payment schedules.
- To monitor and accept responsibility for behavior of guests.
- To report violations of rules and regulations to appropriate staff.
- To respect the rights of others.
- To participate actively in self-governance.
- To participate in Residence Life and Housing departmental committees as requested.
- To express themselves individually or by association with groups.
- To participate in conduct proceedings to determine appropriate standards of behavior.
- To contribute positively to the community by participating in educational and developmental activities.
- To keep their room, suite, lounge, and floor reasonably clean.
- To study and academically succeed to the best of their ability.
The residence hall license, student handbook and departmental publications are written, edited and reviewed with the intent of being clear, concise, and stated in common and every-day language. They contain the specific policies and procedures of SUNY Oswego that delineate rights and responsibilities as well as the campus conduct system and administrative review and appeals process used to enforce them.