Graduate Student Bill of Rights

Joint Declaration by Faculty and Students for the Protection of Human Rights and the Improvement of Research Culture at the Graduate School of Kyung Hee University

Kyung Hee University continues to advance toward becoming a world-class research-oriented university. In the course of achieving remarkable quantitative and qualitative growth, issues surrounding the human rights of graduate students have surfaced, as well as the persistence of outdated research practices. Faculty members and graduate students of Kyung Hee University collectively recognize the urgent need to reform the human rights conditions and research culture at the graduate school to befit a leading global institution.

Recently, the protection of graduate students’ rights and the improvement of research environments have emerged as nationwide concerns. In October 2014, the Presidential Committee on Young Generation, together with the student councils of 14 major universities, proclaimed the "Graduate Students' Bill of Rights," prompting universities to conduct human rights surveys, establish human rights centers, and adopt their own charters of rights.

At the end of 2014, an internal survey at Kyung Hee University revealed considerable instances of human rights violations against graduate students. Consequently, the Kyung Hee University Faculty Senate and the General Graduate Student Council jointly issue the "Joint Declaration for the Protection of Human Rights and the Improvement of Research Culture at the Graduate School of Kyung Hee University," committing to continuous innovation in these areas.

This Declaration aims to uphold and advance the basic human rights enshrined in the 10 Principles of the University Community outlined by the UN Global Compact (UNGC) in 2012. The scope of rights primarily follows the standard of the "Graduate Students' Bill of Rights" declared by the Young Generation Committee, while also directly addressing frequent human rights violations through specific provisions. Moreover, by specifying not only students' rights but also their responsibilities as members of the academic community, the Declaration seeks to foster a more ethical and progressive research culture at Kyung Hee University.

Graduate students' rights include the following: the right to personal dignity, the right to self-determination, the right to academic research, the right to authorship, and the right to fair labor conditions.

1. Right to Personal Dignity: Students have the right to be respected as members of the social and academic community, to be free from physical, verbal, and sexual violence, and to be protected against discrimination based on social differences such as gender, nationality, or political beliefs.
   
   

2. Right to Self-Determination: Students have the right to personal privacy, freedom of thought, and political and religious beliefs, ensuring that academic pursuits do not override their health, safety, or family life. They also have the right to refuse tasks unrelated to their education or research.
   
   

3. Right to Academic Research: Students are entitled to equitable opportunities in education and research, free from unjust academic suspension, undue project workloads, or the misuse of research funds. They have the right to fair assessment and evaluation in all scholarly activities.
   
   

4. Right to Authorship: Students deserve rightful recognition for their substantial contributions to research and publication. They have the right to be credited as authors or co-authors, and to protect their intellectual property without suffering retaliation.
   
   

5. Right to Fair Labor Conditions: Students engaged in academic and research-related labor must receive clear information about working hours, duties, and wages, in accordance with national labor standards and university regulations.
   
   

Graduate students are also entrusted with the following responsibilities:

1. Comprehensive Responsibility for Research and Learning: Students must be aware of degree requirements, commit sufficient time and effort to coursework and research, and uphold academic integrity and ethical standards in all scholarly activities.
   
   

2. Responsibility for Professionalism within the Academic Community: Students must engage responsibly with faculty and peers, contribute to research and intellectual advancement, and acknowledge and respect the contributions of others.
   
   

3. Responsibility to Recognize and Respect the Role of Professors: Students must acknowledge professors' educational authority, respect their academic decisions, and avoid distorting academic processes through inappropriate means such as gifts or hospitality.
   
   

4. Responsibility to Respect Human Rights among Students: Students must ensure that no violations of rights occur among their peers, actively counteracting practices such as excessive hierarchical demands, verbal abuse, or unjust labor expectations.
   
   

We hope that this Declaration, as a follow-up to the "Kyung Hee Members’ Future Agreement" adopted in 2011, will serve as a foundation for institutional and cultural development through the clear recognition of the rights and responsibilities outlined herein by all members of the Kyung Hee University graduate community.

Kyung Hee University Faculty Senate
Kyung Hee University Seoul Campus General Graduate Student Council
Kyung Hee University Global Campus General Graduate Student Council