Bishop’s University

University Policies

Bishop’s University’s Mission Statement states:

We invite our students, who come from Quebec, across Canada, and around the world, to practice the respectful and informed dialogue that sustains democracy, to exercise the rights and responsibilities of good citizenship and to realize their potential for leadership.

Under Values, Bishop’s University states, “We value the academic freedom that is essential to the discovery and transmission of knowledge, the development of critical approaches, and true engagement in learning and discovery.”

In the Statutes of Bishop’s University, Article 1 Section 8, it is stated:

8.0 “Tenure” shall mean permanency of appointment and the right of a faculty member or librarian not to be dismissed except for cause. Such action shall not be taken in violation of normal academic freedom. Academic freedom for faculty members shall include the right to be appointed regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or politics. It also includes the right to teach, investigate, speculate and publish without deference to prescribed doctrine. It includes the right to criticize the University in a non-violent and lawful way.

8.1 Academic Freedom for Students. Students shall also enjoy academic freedom, which is defined as follows: 8.1.1 The right of the student not to be expelled without cause, or failed for other than academic reasons. 8.1.2 The right of enrolment in courses regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or politics. 8.1.3 The right to criticize the University in a non-violent and lawful way without fear of expulsion or failure.

Article 4 of Bishop’s Charter of Students Rights and Responsibilities states:

Students enjoy freedom of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly within our University Community, provided these are exercised in a civil, respectful manner. This includes the right for any group to debate any matter and to engage in lawful demonstrations. Students have the right to organize, publicize, belong to, or participate in any lawful association, and shall not be subject to prejudice by the University because of their membership in such groups.

Article 1 of the Charter, “General Rights and Responsibilities,” states:

Every student has an equal right to be treated equitably and with dignity and respect. This right must not be impaired by discrimination based on race, colour, ethnic or national origin, civil status, religion, creed, political convictions, sex, gender, sexual orientation, social condition, age, or personal handicap. It is understood that a distinction, exclusion or preference based on relevant academic or physical aptitudes or qualifications does not constitute discrimination. Every student has the same responsibility to treat every other member of our University Community equally, without discrimination, in a civil and respectful manner that neither demeans nor degrades the other person. This applies to all person-to-person contact as well as to references made in writing or via any electronic medium that is intended to become public, or ought reasonably to be expected to become public (such as social networking websites).

Article 1 further states:

Students, while they are members of the Bishop's community, enjoy all of the fundamental rights and freedoms as recognized in the laws of the Province of Quebec and in the federal statutes of Canada. The University is not a refuge and students are subject to the laws of the land like any other citizen.

Article 3 of the Charter reads:

Every member of our University Community has the right to be free from vexatious conduct, from verbal, physical, or psychological abuse or intimidation, and from sexual or any other form of harassment… Students have the responsibility to refrain from behaviour that obstructs teaching, learning, or any class or function, and the responsibility to refrain from malicious, vexatious or abusive conduct, and acts of intimidation, harassment, or assault.

Article 4 of the Code of Student Conduct, “Rules of Conduct and Offences,” states “Nothing in this Code is intended to prohibit student academic freedom, peaceful assemblies, demonstrations, lawful picketing, or to inhibit free speech.”

University practices

The authors are not aware of the university censoring or restricting the speech of students or of campus clubs.

Student union policies

The Constitution of the Bishop’s University Students’ Representative Council (SRC) outlines the Students’ Representative Council’s purpose:

1.01, iii. To safeguard the rights of the individual members of the SA, as given in the Bishop’s University Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities and as given in the Canadian and Quebec Charters of Human Rights and Freedoms.

1.02: The SRC shall not recognize any club or organization in violation of the Bishop’s University Charter of Students Rights and Freedoms or the Canadian and Quebec Charters of Human Rights and Freedoms.

1.03: The SRC may adopt a position on any issue that directly affects the well-being of the SA.

1.04: The SRC reserves the right to refuse any external funding which would jeopardize the ability of the SRC – including all clubs and constituents – to express a viewpoint or opinion counter to the donor.

The Constitution’s “Club Bylaws and Regulations”, states:

2.01: ii. i. Club membership is open to all students in good standing with the SRC. Exceptions being academic clubs which may limit membership to those majors and minors in the club’s respective program; or athletic clubs which may limit membership based on sex for the purpose of fair and equal competition.

1. Clubs must present a clear idea of the purpose and objectives of their club.

iii. No club is permitted to discriminate against membership.

3.01 Criteria: i. Any individual or group wishing to advertise or place posters in the Student Union Building and in all academic buildings must conform to the following policy. All posters/advertisements must be tasteful and inoffensive. Any poster/advertisement that violates this policy will be removed and discarded. Failure to comply with any of the criteria will result in immediate loss of poster privileges.

The SRC’s Student Content Policy states:

4.01 ii. Fifty One Percent (51%) of all material published on the SRC plasma screen must be student based content iii. All student-based content must also adhere to the Student Code of Conduct iv. Any student in good standing at Bishop’s University who takes issue with plasma screen content may ask that content be removed. The process for removal is as follows:

1. Fill out a Content Removal Form and obtain at least 20 signatures of Bishop’s University students in good standing

2. The form will be reviewed by the SRC Operations Committee, where a decision on the content will be made. Should the complainant take issue with the findings of the Operations Committee, a final appeal may be made to the SRC Executive Committee.

 Student union practices

The authors are not aware of the Student Representatives Council (SRC) discriminating against a campus group or club based on its views or opinions.