NMU Student Handbook

Some of the University policies contained within this publication are abstracted from their original sources. Students who have questions about these policies are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students Office (2001 C.B. Hedgcock Building, 227-1700) for additional information.

3.1 Non-Discriminiation Policy

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3.1.0 Non-Discrimination Policy

Northern Michigan University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of ancestry, race, color, ethnicity, religion or creed, sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, familial status, handicap/disability, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law in employment or the provision of services. NMU provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in all programs and activities.

This Policy on Non-Discrimination is designed to express the University's intent and commitment to comply with the requirements of State and federal non-discrimination laws. This Policy and all other policies and procedures of Northern Michigan University shall be interpreted and applied co-extensively with such laws. This Policy shall not be interpreted as creating any legally enforceable rights, contractual or otherwise, that are greater than those existing under applicable non-discrimination laws. The prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation does not apply to the University's relationships with outside organizations, including the federal government, the military, ROTC, and private employers. Nothing contained in this Policy shall be construed as prohibiting the University from applying bona fide occupational qualifications.

Limitations are appropriate if they are directly related to a legitimate University purpose, are required by law or rules of associations to which the Board of Trustees has determined the University will belong, are lawfully required by a grant or contract between the University and the state or federal government. Limitations of current facilities are excluded from this policy.

3.1.1 Resolution of Complaints

Complaints or inquiries related to this policy shall be directed to the Equal Opportunity Office or Human Resources. In the event of an alleged violation, the University’s Discrimination/Complaint Procedures will be followed.

3.2 Disability Law Compliance Policy

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3.2.0 Disability Law Compliance Policy

Northern Michigan University formally affirms its commitment to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in any aspect of University life including, but not limited to, physical plant access, employment, services, and the academic process. To this end, Northern Michigan University declares its intention to adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all other applicable federal and state disability law.

The University shall offer appropriate and reasonable accommodations and shall establish and make known the procedures for obtaining those accommodations. Furthermore, the University shall offer consultation, assistance and problem resolution to the University community through the office of the ADA Coordinator and shall provide information regarding other applicable University processes.

3.2.1 Resolution of Complaints

Student complaints concerning disability law compliance are resolved according to the Northern Michigan University Discrimination/Complaint Procedure. Students having questions or concerns about disability law compliance at Northern Michigan University should contact Christine Greer, the ADA Coordinator, 2001 C.B. Hedgcock Building.

3.3 Conditions of Enrollment Policy

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3.3.1 Local Address and E-mail Contact Information

As a condition of enrollment, all students are required to report at the beginning of each semester the local address at which they will be living. Changes of address between residence hall rooms may be arranged at the reception desk in the hall where the student has been living. Other changes of address must be filed within five class days of the change.

Every enrolled student automatically receives a university computer account which provides access to instructional files and software, e-mail, free dial-in access from off campus and other resources. Students are required to maintain this account which will be used by the University to send time-critical information to students. The University will use a student's NMU e-mail account as its primary means of communicating official University business, including legally required information.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in summary termination of enrollment by the Dean of Students.

3.3.2 Financial Obligations

As a condition of enrollment students shall be held responsible for all fees, fines, maintenance and damage charges, or other financial obligations which they have incurred with the University.

3.3.3 Housing Requirements

College is a time of change for most students. Experiences both in and out of the classroom contribute to gains in student knowledge and skills, psychological and social development, and changes in both values and attitudes. The more actively involved they are in those experiences, the more they are likely to learn and develop.

Residence halls, primarily through the unique interpersonal environment and opportunities for involvement and participation they provide, are positively linked to many of the gains experienced by the students who live in them. Residence hall communities maximize opportunities for social involvement for students and it is that involvement, for the most part, that accounts for the contributions made toward the gains they experience.

Northern Michigan University’s requirement for on campus residence is intended to provide students with a living environment rich with opportunities for personal growth and social development, especially those which result from interaction with others, participation in community development activities, and involvement in other aspects of campus life.

Residence hall staff encourage and support out-of-classroom learning and development through a range of services including building management and supervision, communication and guidance, community building, leadership development, connection with and referral to other University activities, programs, and services, etc.

Only currently enrolled Northern Michigan University students and/or other persons who have received official housing assignments may live in University residence halls.

.01 Applicability

All Northern Michigan University students taking classes on the University's campus.

.02 Condition

All single undergraduate students shall live in University residence halls while enrolled for classes at Northern Michigan University, provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply to those undergraduates who:

Have reached junior status (56 or more hours of college credit) prior to registration for classes for the fall semester, or
Have resided four or more semesters in residence halls, or
Are twenty-one (21) years of age or older on or before the last official day of registration for the fall semester, or
Are residing at home with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s)*, or
Are veterans who qualify for veterans' benefits by virtue of at least one year of active service in the armed forces, or
Are taking eight (8) or less credits during the semester in question.
*With a typical class schedule of nine (9) credits or more, it is expected that the commuting distance from their home will be no greater than 60 miles.

.03 Policy

This housing requirement is a Condition of Enrollment which must be met throughout the academic year, including spring and summer sessions.

Enforcement: All single undergraduates who do not qualify to live off campus according to the provisions stated above must reside in a University residence hall or present evidence that an exception to the policy has been granted. Those students for whom the Housing Requirement is a Condition of Enrollment will be asked to verify their adherence to it. Enforcement of the Housing Requirement is the responsibility of the Dean of Students. Failure to maintain the required residency will result in termination of enrollment by the Dean of Students.
Housing Contract: A residence hall contract obligates the student to pay for room an board for the period stated in the terms of the contract. All students, regardless of age or class standing, are obligated by these contract terms and conditions for the duration of the contract unless a release from the contract is authorized. (Note: An application for release from the residence hall contract may be obtained from the student's resident director or from the Housing and Residence Life Office.)
Exceptions: Any student may apply for an exception to the Housing Requirement due to serious medical reasons, one or more disabilities, critical financial circumstances, or other extenuating circumstances which may prevent him or her from complying with the Requirement. Requests for an exception to the Housing Requirement will be accepted at any time prior to the last official day of registration of the semester for which the exception is being requested. Information on the application procedure may be obtained by contacting the Housing and Residence Life Office located in 2101 C.B. Hedgcock Building, Marquette, Michigan 49855 (phone 906/227-2622, e-mail housing@nmu.edu).

Applications from students who wish to be considered for an exception to the Housing Requirement due to financial or extenuating circumstances will be acted upon by the Director of Housing and Residence Life or his or her designee.

Appeals for denials to requests for exceptions to the Housing Requirement, in cases where the procedure has been followed correctly, may be submitted in written form to the Director of Housing and Residence Life within 10 class days of the date that the decision was mailed or handed to the student for referral to the Housing Appeals Committee. The membership of the Housing Appeals Committee will consist of the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life who will serve as the non-voting chairperson, two staff or faculty members appointed by the Associate Provost for Student Services and Enrollment, and one student recommended by the Residence Hall Presidents' Roundtable. The decision of the Housing Appeals Committee is final.

Information and recommendations from other appropriate University personnel may be taken into account when and application for an exception to the Housing Requirement is considered.

3.4 Academic Proficiency Policy and Procedures

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3.4.1 Statement of Purpose

The academic proficiency policy defines the academic standards students must. Students must maintain a minimum of 2.00 to be in academic good standing. Students with GPA below this level will be placed on academic probation and will have to attain certain semester GPA requirements to remain at NMU (see Academic Probation Standards).

Students are notified of their academic status via their end of semester grade report. Any questions regarding academic proficiency should be referred to the Academic & Career Advisement Center, 3302 C.B. Hedgcock, (906) 227-2971.

3.4.2 Proficiency Status Definitions

.01 Good Standing Students with a minimum NMU GPA of 2.00 or higher are considered to be in good standing.

.02 Academic Probation

Students with a GPA that falls below a 2.00 (or those initially admitted to the University on probation) will be placed on academic probation and must meet certain semester GPA requirements based on the Academic Probation Standards (below). Students who fail to meet these requirements will be suspended from the University. Students remain on academic probation until they attain good standing (2.00 overall GPA).

Students on academic probation will also have to meet certain requirements of their probation including, but not limited to, meeting with their academic adviser on a prescribed basis, enrollment in developmental courses, repeating appropriate coursework, etc.

.03 Immediate Academic Suspension

New freshmen and transfer students who have 8 or more credit hours and a GPA of less than 1.00 in their first semester of enrollment will be suspended immediately.

.04 Academic Suspension

Any student on academic probation who fails to attain specific semester GPA requirements (see Academic Probation Standards) will be suspended from the University.

.05 Academic Dismissal

Students who have previously been academically suspended from NMU, re-enter, and are academically suspended again, are dismissed from the University.

Academic Probation Standards

This table provides a quick reference to the semester GPA that students on academic probation must attain to remain at NMU.

Overall GPA Credit Hours at Time of Grading	Semester GPA Necessary to Remain at NMU
Less than 28 credit hours	1.70 semester GPA or higher
28 to less than 56 credit	1.80 semester GPA or higher
56 or more credit hours	2.00 semester GPA or higher

3.5 Distribution or Sale of NMU Student Publications and Other Written Materials

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3.5.0 Distribution or Sale of NMU Student Publications and Other Written Materials

Northern Michigan University believes in the freedom of students to express opinions and communicate ideas through writing, publishing, and distributing student publications and other written materials. In order to provide that freedom within an orderly framework, the following regulations are established for the distribution or sale of materials which are written, edited, published, or distributed by Northern Michigan University students.

3.5.1 Within University Buildings

Within the confines of any building under University control or dedicated to the purposes or activities of the University, student publications shall be sold, picked up, passed hand-to-hand, or otherwise distributed in the following manner:

on a free-will pick-up basis in public areas of residence halls, provided the residence hall establishes such a place.
in public areas of University buildings other than residence halls that have been established for the distribution of student publications by the Director of Student Activities and Leadership Programs in consultation with representatives of those buildings. Building representatives may establish procedures for managing the distribution of materials.

3.5.2 Outside University Buildings

Outside the confines of University buildings, student publications shall be sold, given, picked up, passed hand-to-hand, or otherwise distributed by means which do not obstruct access to, or egress from, any building or interfere with institutional programs and normal maintenance of grounds or structures under University control. Materials cannot be placed on vehicles, poles, posts, signs, outside walls of buildings, doors, or windows.

3.5.3 Posting

Written materials cannot be posted on University property except in accordance with the Posting Materials Policy. (See Section 3.13 of this publication.)

Non-student materials must obtain approval from the Dean of Students.

A copy of materials that are to be distributed must be submitted in advance to the Student Activities and Leadership Programs Office along with the name of a contact person of the sponsoring organization and/or sponsoring individual. This requirement will be waived for publications that are distributed on a regular basis (i.e., the North Wind).

3.6 Outside Speakers Policy

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3.6.0 Outside Speakers Policy

General Policy: It is the policy of the Board of Control and the University to foster a spirit of free inquiry and to encourage the timely discussion of a wide variety of issues, provided that the views expressed are stated openly and, therefore, are subject to critical evaluation. Restraints on free inquiry should be held to that minimum which is consistent with preserving an organized society in which peaceful, democratic means for change are available.

3.6.1 Application

This policy shall apply to every event held on campus and sponsored by a student organization or

organizations where one or more of the speakers at such event is not a member of the Northern Michigan University community.

3.6.2 Invitation of Speakers to Campus

Registered student organizations may invite speakers to the campus subject to the following conditions:

.01 For purposes of coordinating such public meetings with the calendar of other activities taking place on University property, the sponsoring organization must (a) complete the Activity Request Form, indicating among other things, the names of all speakers, and the time and place of the meeting, the form to be certified by the signature of an officer of the organization, and (b) complete the Audio Visual Request Form for sound amplifying equipment, when necessary. These forms are available at the Student Activities and Leadership Programs Office, University Center.

.02 The speaker may not incite the audience to take unlawful action and to violate regulations essential to the orderly administration of the University.

.03 Where a monetary fee is involved, agreements between an organization and a speaker should be in writing and signed by an officer of the organization. Contract forms are available in the Student Activities Office.

.04 It shall be the responsibility of the Director of Student Activities and Leadership Programs to certify that all appropriate steps have been taken before the event is officially scheduled.

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