ASMSU might make changes to Academic Freedom Report
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A university document regarding student rights and responsibilities could see an update if ASMSU and university officials come to a consensus on necessary changes in the next month.
ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.
During last Thursday’s Academic Assembly meeting, ASMSU Provost Zach Taylor said the group was considering a change to the Academic Freedom Report, or AFR, to guarantee student organizations the right to a hearing before being disciplined by administrators.
In spring 2011, university administrators said ASMSU’s merger of its two separate assemblies into one was a violation of the group’s constitution because the vote took place outside of regularly scheduled spring semester elections and ASMSU’s accounts temporarily were frozen in response.
The issue was resolved during the semester, but no formal hearing took place.
The AFR also addresses academic integrity, student privacy and student disciplinary cases.
But ASMSU Director of Media Relations Samantha Artley said Taylor’s idea was provided as an example, and no specific changes to the AFR currently are in the works unless students bring any issues to ASMSU’s attention.
She said any changes ASMSU makes likely will be small changes, if any at all.
“We want students to take a look at it,” Artley said.
Making amendments to the AFR is a complex process, and Taylor said he could not speak much on the issue as no specific actions have been taken.
But he said any future action toward making changes to the AFR could come out during discussions with the University Committee on Student Affairs, or UCSA, next month.
MSU Ombudsman Robert Caldwell said the UCSA revisits the AFR at least every five years or more often if any proposed changes come forth.
“Whether it needs (revision) or not, it gets revisited,” he said. “If something comes up that requires more frequent attention, anyone can begin that process.”
The document was last revised and approved by the Board of Trustees in February 2010.
The AFR states any member of the university community or constituent body can propose amendments, which UCSA will review before determining whether to approve the proposal. Caldwell said if ASMSU proposes any changes to the AFR, it would begin a long process through Academic Governance before the changes could take place.
Interdisciplinary studies in social science senior Kate Nelson said the academic language of the AFR could dissuade students from taking a closer look at the document.
If the AFR was changed to be more accessible or interesting reading, students might be more aware of their rights and responsibilities, she said.
“I think it’s important everyone at least have a general idea (the rights) exist, whether they choose to read it or not,” she said.
Artley said ASMSU officials will meet with Interim Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Denise Maybank in the coming weeks to discuss how students interpret the AFR’s language.
She said the biggest factor for making changes is that students understand the document’s language enough to be familiar with their rights.
