Fundamental Rights and Freedoms

Fundamental Rights and Freedoms

Those assumptions on which the premise of all other guarantees of rights are based.

1 Every community member (refers to any student, faculty member, staff or administrative person who participates in the normal activities of the university) is entitled to all rights and freedoms recognized by Canadian law.

2 a. Every community member has the right to be treated equally by the
University (refers to Saint Mary’s University as an administrative, teaching, research, and business unit) and shall not be discriminated against based on race, colour, ethnic, national or aboriginal origin, civil status, religion, creed, political convictions, language, sex, sexual orientation, social condition, age, physical or mental disability, or the use of any means to palliate such a disability.

b. A distinction, exclusion or preference based on relevant academic or
physical aptitudes or qualifications required in good faith is deemed non discriminatory.

3 The university has an obligation to ensure that administrative, disciplinary, and academic decisions are made, or actions taken, with fair regard for the known and legitimate interests of students.

4 Every community member has a right to the safeguard of his or her dignity and a right to be protected by the University against vexatious conduct displayed by a representative of the University acting in an official capacity.

5 Every community member has the right to be in an environment free of sexual harassment and assault as defined and governed by the Saint Mary’s University Policy on the Prevention and Resolution of Harassment and Discrimination.

6 Every community member shall expect that the University will make all efforts to pursue gender equality in both proactive measures and its daily endeavours.

7 Rights conferred upon students by regulations may not be infringed upon by administrative, academic, and/or departmental decisions.

8 The University has an obligation to maintain safe and suitable conditions for teaching, learning and study, and where Residence is concerned, for living in general.

9 The University has an obligation to ensure that adequate and reasonable measures are taken to protect the security of students both on campus and on other such acts of study which may be a part of the curriculum for a student but may not necessarily take place on University property.