The Student Community

Sam Houston State University is dedicated to the intellectual, social, and moral development of students in order to provide responsible leaders who will work effectively in a democratic society. The University is concerned with the total life of the student. As a responsible participant in the societal process of American democracy, a student's full and balanced maturity is viewed as a major goal of education and, as well, a necessary means to fullest development as a citizen. Students respond to their campus environments as total persons; hence, their lives cannot be divided into segments. Educational leadership ultimately transcends administrative divisions of the University in efforts to increase the impact of the whole university experience on student development.
 
General Rights and Responsibilities of Students Upon Enrollment in Sam Houston State University--an act of the student's own choosing contingent upon having met entrance requirements--the student assumes responsibilities of several citizenships, subject to the penal and civil statutes of the State and Federal governments, regulations and policies of the Board of Regents and of the University. It is the students' responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the University's function as an educational institution, to be fully acquainted with all published regulations and policies of the University, and to comply with these regulations and policies.

The students' general rights include, but are not limited to: the right to make the best use of their time and talents towards educational objectives; the right of respect for personal feelings; freedom from indignity of any type; the right to be secure in their persons, living quarters, papers, and effects against unreasonable search and seizures; the right of freedom of expression, assembly, and inquiry as defined by the Bill of Rights of the Constitution within the framework of established policies; the right to confidentiality in student records as provided by law; the right to inquire about and to recommend improvement in policies, regulations, and procedures affecting the welfare of students; the right to participate in organizations within the limits imposed by their responsibility to each other and to the University; and the right to participate in and receive benefit from University services including: health, counseling, financial aid, academic departmental advising, and others.

Administration of Discipline
The authority to establish and enforce regulations of the University is vested in the Board of Regents. The responsibility of enforcing regulations and imposing penalties is delegated through the President to the Associate Vice President for Student Services and designated associates. The administration of student discipline is recognized as a vital part of the educational process. The University must exercise its role in all disciplinary procedures so that the student is guaranteed the right of due process of law.

University Policies Governing Students
In establishing policies, the University strives to achieve a balance between individual independence and essential control while maintaining an atmosphere conducive to intellectual and personal development. The conditions which apply to the courses of study, degree requirements, other academic requirements which the student is required to meet as well as other general regulations are set forth in writing in the University catalogs. Policies governing student life are published in the current Student Guidelines. Students will be presumed to know and abide by its contents.

Only those students who graduated from high school in the current academic year are required to live on campus and purchase a 15, 20, or any 160 meal plan for an academic year. Anyone signing an academic year housing/meal plan contract will be expected to fulfill the terms of that contract. Specific policies and conditions of on-campus housing are available at the Department of Residence Life.