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Kansas State University

University Handbook, Appendix D:
Board of Regents Resolutions

 

Resolution Concerning Campus Disruption

Whereas, the members of the State Board of Regents recognize that academic freedom is a necessary adjunct of higher education in the State of Kansas, and

Whereas, the academic freedom includes not only the right of dissent, but also the freedom to pursue academic aims by all segments of our colleges and universities, and,

Whereas, a small number of the student bodies and/or employees of Kansas state (colleges and) universities are pursuing activities deliberately designed to, and which do, disrupt regularly scheduled activities of said institutions, and,

Whereas, disciplinary boards organized to provide student and faculty review of disruptive actions are, at times harassed and delayed in conducting said reviews, and,

Whereas, the interests of citizens and taxpayers of this state and of the majority of students and faculty are detrimentally affected.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the State Board of Regents that the chief administrative officer of each of the state universities (and colleges) be and they are hereby directed to immediately suspend any employee, faculty member, or student of said institution where said student, faculty member, or employee is engaging in activities deliberately designed to, and which do, disrupt the normal and ordinary process of education and training offered by said institutions, said suspension to remain in effect pending such procedural steps as may be required under the rules and regulations of the state institution and the laws of the State of Kansas. The heads of the state institutions shall take such action as is necessary to stop such activities.

Be it further resolved, that this action not be considered as limiting any authority of said chief administrative officers in the performance of their duties. Adopted by the State Board of Regents on June 18, 1970.

 

Regulations Governing Students, Faculty, and Employees

Whereas, the State Board of Regents has heretofore adopted certain resolutions pertaining to the participation by students, faculty members, and employees in activities at our state educational institutions designed to and which do disrupt the normal and ordinary process of education and training offered by each of our state educational institutions; and

Whereas, the State Board of Regents now deems it desirable and expedient to supplement such resolutions by adopting certain regulations relating to and governing the conduct and actions of students, faculty members, and employees at our educational institutions.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the State Board of Regents that the following supplemental regulations be adopted and approved relating to and governing the activities of students, faculty members, and employees at the state educational institutions of our state, to wit:

  1. While we again reaffirm our position that our institutions should be committed to protection of free speech, freedom of assembly, and the right of lawful protest, we are equally committed to the task of maintaining the peace and safety of the campuses, with full knowledge that the rights of our students and institutions are in jeopardy when violence and civil disorder prevail over law and reason, and therefore a person having any association with any of our state educational institutions may participate in or have any association with any demonstration at any of the institutions under the control of the Board of Regents only when such activities do not exceed the bounds of free assembly and lawful advocacy.
  2. Persons participating in a demonstration shall not engage in any unlawful acts which cause or imminently threaten injury to persons or property, or which in any way obstruct or interfere with the normal and necessary activities of an institution.
  3. Persons having a formal association with any of our state educational institutions shall not engage in conduct that unreasonably obstructs teaching, research, and learning.
  4. Persons having a formal association with any of our state educational institutions shall not unreasonably obstruct free access to members or guests of any of the institutions or to any of the institutional buildings.
  5. Persons having a formal association with any of our state educational institutions shall not damage institutional property or injure members or guests of the institution.
  6. Persons having a formal association with any of our state educational institutions shall not disobey the general rules of conduct of the University or of the regulations promulgated by the State Board of Regents.
  7. Persons having a formal association with any of our state educational institutions shall not cause any disturbance or breach of the peace or in any wise violate any of the rules and regulations of residence halls or other places or in any building in which students or faculty members assemble.
  8. Persons having a formal association with any of our state educational institutions shall not use profane or vulgar language in a threatening or disruptive manner or engage in a rude or challenging behavior in or upon any of the institutional properties, including residence halls and organized living groups.
  9. The term formal association as used in these regulations shall mean enrolled students, faculty members, and other employees.
The Board reaffirms its position heretofore taken in that the chief administrative officer of each of our state educational institutions shall be expected to take such action as is necessary to carry out the purport of the rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Regents or any rule and regulation governing the conduct of any and all students, faculty members, and other employees of the respective institutions by suspension or other disciplinary action as appropriate, such to be in accordance with procedures established within each institution for the government of students, faculty members, and other employees.

In order to ensure due process any student, faculty member, or other employee suspended, or who might receive other disciplinary action on the grounds of regulations established by the Board of Regents, and also those established by violating any of the premises of this resolution, as well as all other rules by the institutions, shall have at his or her discretion the right of the review of the action by the governing board constituted at each institution to handle disciplinary matters. Adopted by the State Board of Regents on July 10, 1970, and amended on September 18, 1970.

 

Policy Relating to the Academic Calendar

Whereas, the Academic Calendar is a period of time of a contractual nature for which state funds are appropriated and for which other funds are accepted; and

Whereas, this period of time is one which has been planned to fulfill the academic requirements of the programs of higher education; and Whereas, any deviation from this published calendar such as cancellation of classes may cause students to lose credits, jeopardize the fulfillment of contracts, and, for certain types of activities, endanger the tax-exempt status of the institution.

Be it hereby resolved that the policy of the Board of Regents be stated as follows:

The Academic Calendar of each institution under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents shall be followed as published. Any deviation from this calendar for reasons other than natural disasters must have prior approval of the Board of Regents. Adopted by the State Board of Regents on June 19, 1970.