students protesting on campus

Student Rights and Responsibilities

UC Davis is a diverse campus that values the multitude of backgrounds and experiences that our students come from. Our UC Davis Principles of Community demonstrate the values and ideals that the campus seeks to uphold such as free expression, respect, and diversity. In addition to this aspirational statement, UC Davis students have a variety of rights and responsibilities as members of the campus community. This document seeks to serve as a resource and introduction to what those student rights and responsibilities are, and where to find more information you might need.

Students' Rights

Students are members of the university community, with attendant rights and responsibilities. Students have the right to learn, explore, associate with others, and express themselves in a non-discriminatory environment. PPM 280-01.

Free Speech

Visit the UC Davis Free Speech website (formerly the Student Expression website) to learn about the First Amendment at a public institution, how to exercise your rights within the law and campus policies and ways to get support. As we engage with one another as members of our campus community, this resource is meant to help staff, faculty and students understand individual rights and responsibilities within the context of law, policy and shared community expectations.  

Sexual Violence Prevention and Response

UC Davis prohibits all forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence, including sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking. The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response website provides information on these topics, including the relevant policies and resources for students who have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment and people providing support to students who have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment. It also provides information to students accused of sexual violence about resources available to them. Lastly, it provides a summary of sexual violence reports received by the campus Title IX Office over the past few years.

Hazing

Learn how to identify, report and discourage hazing and implement positive ways to bring groups together. On the Stop Hazing website, students, academics, staff and family members will also find information about campus policy on hazing, an explanation of the various options for reporting and best practices for student groups and organizations.

Guide to Managing Social Media Trolls and Online Harassment

"Online harassment can occur when digital technologies (social media, email, text message, gaming platforms or other messaging services) are used to post unwanted, inaccurate, or threatening content specifically targeting an individual or group. Behaviors that could potentially be considered online harassment include remarks that a reasonable person would perceive as seriously alarming, seriously annoying, seriously tormenting or seriously terrorizing of the person and that serves no legitimate purpose which can include impersonation, threats, revealing personal information, cyberstalking, or sending unsolicited sexual messages or images." (UC Davis Brand Communications Guide)

Discrimination

  • The University is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all individuals who are part of the University community can work and learn together in an atmosphere free from all forms of discrimination[1] and harassment.[2]. You can find the campus' policy on Discrimination and Harassment here.
Hate, Bias, Discrimination or Harassment

Accommodations

  • UC Davis is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for its students. The campus maintains a comprehensive website dedicated to disability information and resources.
  • Students may also contact the campus ADA Coordination Officer to report architectural or structural barriers on campus, or to discuss informal resolution of concerns or mechanisms for filing a complaint.  The campus takes complaints seriously and acts promptly to resolve concerns and provide remedies where appropriate.
Academics
Housing and Dining Services
Employment

Access to Student and University Records

Privacy Rights and Student Records
  • The disclosure of information from student records is governed by the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), the State of California Education Code, and UC and campus policy and procedures. These laws and regulations are in place to protect student's right to privacy, provide safeguards for the confidentiality of student records, permit students access to their own records, and provide a mechanism for students to petition to correct these records. Students have the right to review their own records. Visit the Office of the University Registrar’s page on privacy for more information.
  • Some UC Davis records may be accessed under California Public Records Act (CPRA), Information Practices Act (IPA), and Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests. A public record may be any document or record, written or electronic that is prepared, owned, used, retained, or maintained by the university in the course of business. Upon request, the university must disclose public records unless a specific exemption from disclosure applies. The Information Practices Team website contains more information and frequently asked questions about this process and how to make a request.

Grievance Procedure Regarding Interactions with Instructors

If you are uncertain about where to start when you have a grievance or concern, the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA) is a good place to start. You may submit a report or, if you prefer to discuss your concerns first, you may contact OSSJA for an appointment. OSSJA provides referrals, consultation, information, and assistance to students regarding their rights and student grievance processes.

For students with a grievance or complaint about an instructor, the following resources are available:

  • Serious Misconduct – If an instructor is alleged to have engaged in serious misconduct, a grievance may be made to Academic Affairs.
  • Harassment/Discrimination – Complaints involving alleged unfair treatment based on a protected class may be made to HDAPP.
  • Grading Errors – The Grade Change Committee addresses grading concerns involving clerical or procedural errors in the recording of a grade. Questions should be directed to the Grade Change Deputy in the Office of the University Registrar, at GradeChanges@ucdavis.edu.
  • Teaching or Grading – If a student feels that the instructor’s teaching has been inadequate or the grading has been unfair (unrelated to clerical or procedural errors), students are directed to contact their department chair to discuss their concern. The chair will determine how they would like to address the grievance.

Confidential Resources

  • Counseling Services - Counseling Services is a confidential service for all UC Davis students. Counseling Services is a multi-culturally and educationally diverse group of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, family counselors, doctoral interns and peer counselors. They are an experienced staff committed to assisting students and enriching the university community through providing a broad variety of educational programs, psychological consultation and other types of university service.
  • Ombuds Office - The UC Davis Ombuds Office is a confidential, independent, impartial, and informal problem-solving and conflict management resource for all members of the UC Davis campus community. Ombuds can assist by listening to concerns, clarifying issues, identifying polices and resources, and providing coaching and communication strategies.

Confidential Resources Regarding Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence

  • Center for Advocacy Resources and Education (CARE) - CARE provides free, confidential crisis intervention, advocacy and accompaniment services to any survivor of sexual assault, intimate partner violence or stalking. Services are available to any UC Davis student, staff or faculty regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability.
  • The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual Resource Center - The LGBTQIA+ Resource Center provides an open, safe and inclusive space and serves as the hub of the LGBTQIA community on campus. The LGBTQIA+ Resource Center promotes education and creates a space for self-exploration about all sexes, genders and sexualities and their intersections with other identities. It engages in outreach, connects students with resources, sponsors programs, provides advocacy and offers confidential support and referral services to survivors of sexual assault.
  • The Women's Resources and Research Center - The WRRC provides a place for students to learn about resources and educational programs that focus on gender equity and social justice. It provides a place to meet friends and get involved with on-campus events and student organizations working to address sexism, genderism, and oppression. The WRRC provides opportunities for students to take part in making UC Davis safer and more inclusive for everyone, specifically women, transgender, and gender expansive individuals. The WRRC serves as a confidential reporting unit for situations involving sexual violence/harassment and domestic/intimate partner violence. This means, any person who may be navigating or experiencing these types of situations can receive support from the WRRC without needing to file a report. The WRRC can provide information/resources about reporting options and services related to emotional, mental, and physical health support. 

Student Responsibilities

The responsibilities of students at UC Davis include complying with all University policies, campus regulations, and the UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct. Important highlights are outlined and linked below to assist students in becoming familiar with these policies, although this is not an exhaustive list.

  • The UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline covers the campus’ jurisdiction, the standards of academic conduct, the student discipline procedure, and other important areas. UC Davis has designated the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA) to administer student conduct policies and procedures for academic and social misconduct.
  • An important part of the policy on student conduct is the Code of Academic Conduct. This Code of Academic Conduct exists to support high standards of behavior and to ensure fair evaluation of student learning. Students who violate the Code of Academic Conduct are subject to disciplinary sanctions that include Censure, Probation, Suspension, or Dismissal from the University of California. The Code defines and prohibits behavior such as cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, misuse of course materials, lying or fraud, and misuse of University resources.
  • Students must abide by the campus’ Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment policy, which prohibits conduct such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. An affirmative, conscious, voluntary agreement by each participant to engage in sexual activity is required in order to gain consent. For more information about the campus’ SVSH policies and procedures, you may refer to the policy or to resources on campus such as the CARE office or the Title IX Officer.
  • The Center for Student Involvement has policies and guidelines in place for Registered Student Organizations. These include policies regarding registration, membership, relationship to the University, reservations, posting information, and agency account services.
  • Students living on campus in SHDS housing have a responsibility to follow all SHDS rules. Being a member of the student housing community means that students have the responsibility to themselves and others to follow student housing rules such as those on what is allowed in student housing rooms, disruptive behavior, safety, and pets.

Procedures

The responsibility for the administration of student discipline has been delegated from the Chancellor to the Director of the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs. Generally, OSSJA administers discipline for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at the UCD School of Law. For an OSSJA violation, informal resolution might be utilized, or it might be determined that a formal hearing is appropriate for fact finding.

The responsibility for the administration of student discipline for the UCD School of Medicine and UCD School of Veterinary Medicine has been delegated to the deans of each school.

For students living in SHDS housing, the resolution process may be administered by either OSSJA or SHDS.

[1] Discrimination—an illegal or prohibited adverse employment or educational action, or harassment based on race, color, national origin (including caste or perceived caste), religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender transition status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services, including protected veterans. (PPM 400-15)

[2] Harassment—conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it unreasonably denies, adversely limits, or interferes with a person’s participation in or benefit from the education, employment or other programs or activities of the University, and creates an environment that a reasonable person would find to be intimidating or offensive when based on the categories identified in II.B, above. (PPM 400-15)

 

Edited by MLA 9/30/2024