Students' Rights and Responsibilities

  1. Constitutional Rights: Subject to the applicable provisions of The Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System and the Handbook of Operating Procedures of The University of Texas at San Antonio, students have the rights accorded to all persons under the United States Constitution regarding freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and freedom of association. Causes may be supported by individual students and by student organizations, through the use of lawful means that do not disrupt the operations of the University. These rights carry with them the responsibility for each individual student to accord the same rights to other students and student groups and not to interfere with or obstruct the rights of others to use University facilities. The University regulates the time, place, and manner of these activities on campus and establishes certain guidelines for the activities of student organizations and students to facilitate the orderly use of campus facilities and to prevent disruption of University operations. (See Sec. 9.37 of the Handbook of Operating Procedures)
  2. Academic Procedures: Students have the right to be informed about the evaluation methods that will be employed by the instructor and the right to review tests and other written work after the instructor has evaluated it. A student with an academic grievance should first seek to resolve the problem directly with the instructor of the course. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance should be submitted in writing to the department chair/division director or other designated administrator. See Academic and Grade Grievance Form (pdf). After a decision is issued, the student may appeal the decision to the Dean of the College and then to the Senior Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and Dean of University College for an undergraduate student or to the Dean of the Graduate School for a graduate student. The decision of the Senior Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and Dean of University College or the Dean of the Graduate School is final.
  3. Discipline Procedures: A student or an organization accused of violating a Regents’ rule or regulation, University regulation, or administrative rule is accorded the rights of procedural due process. An accused student or organization is entitled to a hearing before a University Hearing Officer, although a student may waive the right to a hearing and accept administrative disposition of the case. A student also has the right to appeal a disciplinary decision. (See Sec. 701, Student Code of Conduct.)
  4. Student Records: The educational records of students are considered to be confidential under both state and federal law. The University’s procedures regarding access to student records, including academic, health center, counseling, financial aid, and discipline records shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and the Texas Public Information Act.