2024-25 Student Handbook 

Part 1: Overview

1. Austin Peay State University (APSU or University) students are expected to conduct themselves as law-abiding members of the community at all times. Admission to APSU carries with it special rights, privileges and responsibilities apart from those rights and duties enjoyed by non-students. In recognition of the special relationship that exists between APSU and its academic community, the APSU Board of Trustees has authorized the President of APSU to take such action as may be necessary to maintain University standards and preserve the integrity of APSU and its educational environment.

2. Pursuant to this authority and in fulfillment of its duties to provide a secure and stimulating atmosphere in which individual and academic pursuits may flourish, the Board has developed the following regulations, intended to govern student conduct on the APSU campus. The University is directed to implement policies consistent with APSU rules. Students are also subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations. If a student's violation of such laws or regulations also adversely affects APSU's pursuit of its educational objectives, APSU may enforce its own regulations regardless of any proceedings instituted by other authorities. Violation of any section of these rules may subject a student to corrective measures by APSU whether or not such conduct violates state, local or federal laws.

3. For the purpose of these rules or accompanying policies, a "student" is any person who is admitted, enrolled and/or registered for credit or non-credit bearing courses or training or who may no longer be enrolled and registered, but participated in prohibited conduct while at APSU for any academic period. This will include any period which follows the end of an academic period through the last day for registration for the next academic period, and during any period while the student is under suspension from APSU. Finally, "a student" shall also include any person subject to a period of suspension or removal from campus as a sanction which results from a determination of a violation of the policies, rules and regulations governing student conduct. Students are responsible for compliance with APSU rules at all times.

4. Corrective action may be taken against a student for violation of the policies, rules and regulations:

   (a)which occur on APSU owned, leased or otherwise controlled property;

   (b)while participating in international or distance learning programs; and/or

   (c)while off-campus, when the conduct impairs, interferes with or obstructs any APSU activity or the mission, processes and functions of APSU.

5. The University may enforce its own rules or policies regardless of the status or outcome of any external proceedings instituted in any other forum, including any civil or criminal proceeding.

6. These rules are applicable to registered student organizations as well as individual students. Registered student organizations are accountable for the conduct and actions of individual members of the organization while acting in their capacity as members of, or while attending or participating in any activity of the organization.

7. Confidentiality of Conduct/Corrective Process.  Subject to the exceptions provided in law or regulation, including but not limited to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and the Tennessee Open Records Act, a student’s conduct files are considered educational records and are confidential.

8. The University is committed to respecting students’ Constitutional rights. These rules or policies shall be interpreted in a way that does not violate a student’s constitutional rights including without limitation, the rights protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.