3,006: Off-Campus Freedom of Students
Revised: July 2012
Exercise of Rights of Citizenship: University students are both citizens and members of the academic community. As citizens, students have the same freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and right of petition that other citizens enjoy and, as members of the academic community, they are subject to the obligations which accrue to them by virtue of this membership.
Institutional Authority and Civil Penalties: The University has no legal authority over a student when he or she is outside university property unless engaged in official university activities, except as provided elsewhere. Students who violate the law may incur penalties prescribed by civil authorities, but institutional authority shall not be used merely to duplicate the function of general laws. Only where institutional interests as an academic community are distinct from those of the general community may disciplinary proceedings be invoked by the institution. Institutional action shall be independent of community pressure.