Resolutions of the Faculty Relating to the Establishment of the Council of the Princeton University Community

I

Resolved,
       That the proposal of May, 1969, of the Special Committee on the Structure of the University to establish the Council of the Princeton University Community be approved:

       That the Charter of the Council of the Princeton University Community submitted by the Special Committee on the Structure of the University be accepted; and

       That, as soon as practicable in the Fall Term of the academic year 1969-70, representatives of the Faculty to the Council of the Princeton University Community and to its Executive Committee be elected.

Be it recorded,
       That the Faculty adopts the foregoing resolution with these understandings:

  1. That exercise by the Council of the Princeton University Community of the authority to make rules regarding the conduct of resident members of the University community is to be consistent with those purposes for which the Council oversees the making of rules by other bodies, that is, to insure that such rules “protect the rights of individuals and the legitimate interests of the University, and that they are clear in meaning, fair, enforceable, and in conformity with the law”;
  2. That, in this context, “the rights of individuals” include, but are not necessarily limited to, freedom of association, and “the legitimate interests” of the University do not extend to conduct (professional or any other) not affecting the University;
  3. That, in keeping with the provision of the Charter of the Council of the Princeton University Community that “with respect to matters mainly of concern to a particular group within the University community, the authority to make rules shall normally be delegated to a body representing that group or shall be exercised in a manner otherwise acceptable to that group,” a group exercising delegated authority will have full opportunity to make its rules consistent with “the rights of individuals and the legitimate interests of the University” and to make them “clear in meaning, fair, enforceable, and in conformity with the law” before the Council will itself make rules regarding conduct on subjects primarily of interest to that group. Thus, for example, students will in the first instance make rules of conduct with regard to matters mainly of interest to students, the Faculty on matters mainly of interest to faculty members.
  4. That, as is clearly implied by the statement on page four of the report of the Special Committee on the Structure of the University of May, 1969, the authority of the Council of the Princeton University Community to make rules regarding the conduct of resident members of the University community, and to oversee the making of such rules, does not include the authority to make rules, or to oversee the making of rules, on academic subjects.

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