York University is a place of research, teaching and learning where people value civility, diversity, equity, honesty and respect in their direct and indirect interactions with one another. Freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom to study and to learn, freedom to engage in research, and the freedom to write and to publish are all recognized as central to the mission of the institution. It is acknowledged that these values can only be meaningful, and these freedoms fully realized, in an atmosphere of safety and security. All York students have rights and responsibilities as outlined in this document and are expected uphold the identified values for the benefit of the entire York community.

Since their inception, universities have been recognized as clearly distinguishable communities within the larger community and have dealt with issues of misconduct internally. Under the York University Act, 1965, paragraph 13(2)(c), the president has the power to formulate and implement regulations governing students and student activities. The president has assigned to the vice-president students, through the Office of Student Conflict Resolution, the responsibility for the administration of this Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

The Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities operates in accordance with the basic principles of conflict resolution and procedural fairness. The office that administers this code upholds a philosophy and practice that is intended to balance support, accountability and education for participants in any dispute resolution process.

This code has been developed through extensive consultation with students, staff and faculty, and affirms their stated values of equity and respect. It is based on a model that supports a progressive discipline approach which encourages appropriate conduct . The code outlines a process for dealing with transgressions and is designed to be perceptibly fair, easy to understand and transparent. In addition, the sanctions it proposes have been developed through community consultation and are understood to be reasonable and suitable for a wide variety of misconduct. Wherever possible and appropriate, sanctions will be corrective and educative.

The entire Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities is available at http://www.yorku.ca/oscr/pdfs/CodeofRightsandResponsibilities.pdf.