Section VII

Academic Rights of Students

2.1 Information about Course Content

A student has the right to be informed in reasonable detail in writing by the first or second class session, or in the introductory materials for a distance learning course, about the nature of the course and to expect the course to correspond generally to its official description.

2.2 Information about course grading criteria

A student has the right to be informed in writing by the first or second class session, or in the introductory materials for a distance learning course, about the criteria to be used in evaluating the student’s performance, a course grading system that includes specific expectations with relative weights, and to expect that the grades described in the KCTCS Catalog will be used.

2.3 Contrary opinion

A student has the right to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in the classroom and laboratory without being penalized. A student may appeal the fact of guilt for all three faculty sanctions listed in 3.2.1. Also, a student may appeal the severity of the sanction of a failing grade for the course.

2.4 Academic evaluation

A student has the right to receive a grade based only upon a fair and just evaluation of performance in the course as measured by the standards presented at the first or second class session or in the introductory materials for a distance learning course. Grades determined by anything other than the instructor’s good-faith judgment based on such standards are improper. Among irrelevant considerations are race, color, religion, gender, disability, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or activities outside the classroom that are unrelated to the course work.

2.5 Academic records

A student has the right to have academic records kept confidential unless the student consents in writing to have them released. The chief executive officer or designee may disclose the academic record of a student without the student’s consent to authorized college personnel if the information is required for official use, such as advising students, writing recommendations, or selecting candidates for honorary organizations.

2.6 Evaluation of student character and ability

A student has the right to have character and ability evaluated only by individuals with a personal knowledge of the student. Records containing information about a student’s character and ability shall indicate when the information was provided, by whom, and the position of the individual providing the information.