The intent of our office is to uphold student rights and develop students’ ability to make responsible decisions in order to maintain mutual respect, integrity, and an environment where all students can effectively pursue their educational goals. Programs and services are student-centered, promote accountability, and are aimed to enhance students' overall academic and social experience at Rensselaer.
Rensselaer's approach to the judicial process is one that is intended to be educational rather than punitive. The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities sets forth the Student Bill of Rights along with the national, state and city laws and Rensselaer policies that guide Institute and judicial actions in support of Rensselaer student success.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
All Rensselaer students are expected to comply with the rules and regulations set forth in the Handbook, as well as with the requirements in other Institute policies and rules. Compliance with the requirements of this Handbook includes conditions of occupancy for all residents in campus housing and contractual terms in room and board contracts. It is each student’s responsibility to be familiar with the contents of this Handbook, and other policies of the Institute.
- Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities Rev. January 6, 2025
- Graduate Student Supplement to Handbook
- Revised Alcohol and Other Drug Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Community Health and Safety Agreement
For archived editions of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, email the Dean of Students Office at doso@rpi.edu.
Student Judicial Process
The Student Judicial System is an unbiased process used to review and resolve reported student violations of the Grounds for Disciplinary Action (GDA) and/or other Institute policies and regulations. The judicial system provides opportunities for all involved parties to be heard and actively be involved in the resolution of the concern. More information about the Student Judicial System can be found in the “Components of the Judicial System” section of the Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Please note that the Student Judicial System does not review reported violations of the Institute’s Sexual Misconduct Policy. More information about Sexual Misconduct Policy complaint process can be found below.
All complaints of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking, are investigated and adjudicated pursuant to the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy of Rensselaer, NOT the Student Judicial System. For more information about reporting sexual misconduct, visit the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Adviser and Legal Resources
Students involved in the Rensselaer judicial system have the right to a Student Judicial Advisor and in some cases to Legal Counsel.
Student Judicial Advisors exist under the provisions of the judicial system which allow students to be advised with respect to Rensselaer judicial proceedings. Student Judicial Advisors advise students of the policies and procedures, as well as their rights and responsibilities within the judicial system. Advisors do not, however, investigate, prepare or present/argue judicial cases. A student may request a Judicial Advisor at the time of the inquiry, or three days before the “final” inquiry. See Amendment VI: Judicial Advisors of the Rensselaer Union Constitution.
The presence of an attorney at a judicial inquiry or hearing is at the sole discretion of the hearing officer, and/or the Senior Judicial Administrator and Board Chairperson. Requests for an attorney to be present to advise an accused student will be considered only in instances where the student has been arrested or has had a criminal complaint filed against him or her. If it is determined that a student will be permitted to have an attorney present, the student must notify the Senior Judicial Administrator, in writing, a minimum of 72 hours in advance of the hearing, indicating the name, business address and phone number of the attorney who will be in attendance. The role of an attorney is limited in the judicial process. He or she is present only to advise the accused student and can confer with the student during the judicial proceeding. However, the attorney is not entitled to address the hearing officer or board and may not communicate specific questions, responses, or statements for the student. Moreover, all correspondence, regarding the judicial matter, including the filing of an appeal, must come directly from the student(s) involved. Institute officials involved in the judicial system may elect to discuss procedural matters with attorneys. However, as a general practice, communication and inquiries from attorneys will be referred directly to Institute Legal Counsel.
Rensselaer students who are in need of legal counsel for certain civil and criminal actions off campus and have paid the Student Activity Fee may choose to use the STUDENT LEGAL SERVICE. The purpose of the Student Legal Service is to assist students in identifying and resolving their legal problems so they can make the most of their educational opportunities. Legal representation up to and including all stages of trial will, at the discretion of the program attorney, be provided in certain types of cases. Program attorneys will be available to provide general legal advice and referrals on legal issues specifically excluded from representation.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
For details on campus crime statistics, visit the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report »
Biennial Reviews and Annual Notifications
Below are RPI's biennial reviews and annual notifications, as outlined in Part 86 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA).
Fall 2024 Biennial Review and Annual Notification
Previous Biennial Reviews and Annual Notifications
Sign Policy
All members of the Rensselaer community are expected to abide by the campus sign policy for non-residential buildings that is detailed below. This policy was developed to regulate the style, content, and posting of signs and posters as a means of reducing the litter and visual clutter on campus. No business or organization external to the RPI community may post anywhere on the RPI campus without the express permission of the Center for Career and Professional Development, Rensselaer Union Executive Board, the Dean of Students Office, or an Academic Department of the Institute. This policy must be reviewed before signs are posted.
DEFINITION
The term sign or poster, as used herein, refers to any written or graphical material on paper, cardboard, cloth, or any other materials placed on campus for public display for the purpose of advertising or information dissemination.
- The Institute reserves the right to remove signs deemed to be graphically inappropriate, profane, libelous, in unsightly condition, or that contain outdated information.
- The name and email address of the group or person posting the sign must be on each sign.
- Every sign must have a clearly visible and legible takedown date on the bottom right corner; signs not advertising an event date should also include the original posting date. For signs advertising events, the takedown date must be at most three days after the event. For all signs not advertising an event, the takedown date must be at most three weeks from the date they are posted.
- Signs may be carried if they do not disrupt classes, traffic, or other educational and administrative functions of the Institute or members of the community.
- All signs advertising events must include the date of the event.
- Signs from external organizations must clearly identify the RPI organization sponsoring the poster and include contact information for the external organization.
- Do not use materials that may be damaging to the postering surface, such as nails, screws, chalk, adhesive-backed signs (bumper sticker type).
- Do not paint directly on surfaces.
- Do not use duct tape.
- Outdoor signs must not be posted on telephone or power poles, lamp posts, trees, fences, doors, windows, benches, or the ground.
- Outdoor signs must also not be posted on Institute buildings with the exceptions of the Low Center for Industrial Innovation (CII), Darrin Communications Center (DCC), and the Jonsson Engineering Center (JEC).
- Signs must not be posted on the internal walls, floors, carpets, or doors of any building except as permitted by those having jurisdiction over that building.
- Signs must not be posted in such a way as to cover or obscure signs already on display.
- No sign may be posted in excess, as defined by the Director of Student Activities in the Rensselaer Union, at any postering location.
- Signs placed or carried in a building must comply with rules established by those having jurisdiction over that building.
- No sign shall be posted in such a way that its removal shall be excessively difficult or dangerous.
- Banners may be hung with string on the footbridge, and if requiring the use of a ladder to hang, must be approved by the Director of Student Activities in the Rensselaer Union or the Dean of Students Office.
- Banners hung overhead in the CII walkway must be approved by the Director of Student Activities in the Rensselaer Union.
- Only signs containing information pertinent to Institute activities or interests may be posted in campus bulletin spaces.
- Signs may be mounted on bulletin boards only with thumbtacks and staples.
- No more than one of any particular sign may be posted on any side of a bulletin board.
- Signs posted on bulletin boards may not have an area greater than 4 square feet.
All removed signs must be disposed of properly on or after the takedown date by any member of the Institute community. Signs advertising events must be removed by the person or group posting the sign within three days following the event. All other signage must be removed within three weeks of posting. Properly posted signs may not be removed, unless as authorized by the person or group posting the sign, before these established dates. A group or individual may remove any sign on or after the takedown date to place a new sign.
Campus Buildings & Grounds may perform a takedown of posters with express notification and subsequent approval from the Dean of Students, the Grand Marshal, and the Director of Student Activities when postering reaches an excessive amount or at the start/end of a semester.
Takedown dates shall not apply to signs set up by the Rensselaer Union containing information about this policy.
Revisions to this policy must be approved by the Student Senate and the Dean of Students Office. In extraordinary cases, these rules may be waived by the Director of Student Activities, the Grand Marshal, the Dean of Students, the President, or one of the Vice Presidents/Provosts of the Institute. Disagreements concerning waiving and interpretation of rules shall be resolved through discussion by these parties.
Potential outcomes for sign policy violations may include:
- Immediate removal of signs
- Written warning from the Dean of Students Office and/or Campus Buildings & Grounds
- Referral to the Dean of Students Office
- Removal of privileges to poster in the Rensselaer Union
- Monetary fines levied by the Executive Board on funded clubs
- Removal of privileges to poster on campus
These rules will be superseded for student political signs during campaigning for student elections by the election rules passed by the Student Senate.