Student Rights and Responsibilities

Northern Essex Community College expects students to conduct themselves in a manner that is appropriate to a collegiate environment. Students are expected to assume responsibility for their own behavior and learning and to respect the learning environment of others. Northern Essex Community College strives to maintain a learning environment that enhances the academic, intellectual, cultural and social enrichment of its students, faculty, staff and the community at large. To ensure that no member of the College community is deprived of this collegiate environment, student rights and responsibilities are clearly stated and behavior and discipline codes have been established.

Student Rights

  1. The right to pursue their education and assistance in overcoming educational, cultural, emotional and economic disadvantages that create challenges to the educational process.
  2. The right to fair and equal treatment without discrimination based on a student’s of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, maternity leave, military service and national origin. 
  3. The right to privacy and confidentiality under the Family Education Right and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99.
  4. The right to procedural and substantive due process in disciplinary or grievance matters. 

Student Responsibilities

  1. To be knowledgeable of and to comply with federal, state, and local laws, and ordinances.
  2. To be knowledgeable of and to comply with all directives, policies, and procedures of Northern Essex Community College.
  3. To choose behavior that does not interfere with the learning environment of others inside and outside of the classroom, including College events.
  4. To review all information that is shared with students in official college communications.