Dear NMU Student:

Welcome to the start of a new semester! We hope you are ready to study hard, learn, and have a great experience. Please remember that NMU faculty and staff are here to assist you in any way we can.

Here are some important points for you to know regarding behavior:

• You are responsible for knowing and following acceptable standards of student behavior. A new Student Code was approved last May. Please review University regulations. (See below for web address)

• NMU will respond to behavior that violates our regulations.

• NMU’s standard of proof to determine responsibility for a Student Code violation is preponderance of the evidence; that it is more likely than not that the accused student violated the Student Code.

• NMU can and may respond to off campus behavior.

• Students are responsible for their conduct from the time of admission through the awarding of their degree.

• Anything that shoots a projectile is banned from University premises—residence hall rooms, apartments, other buildings, vehicles, backpacks, etc. You will be suspended immediately if you are in possession of anything that shoots a projectile. You can store weapons at Public Safety—they are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you should check in your weapon before you do anything else.

• Your body is considered a container and it cannot contain alcohol if you are not 21 years of age, regardless of where it is consumed. If you are 21 years of age, alcohol is only allowed in a few designated places on campus.

• Students are responsible for the behavior of their guests.

• We expect that students living in our residence halls and apartments will be able to reasonably sleep and study at any time of the day or night.

• Good people sometimes have lapses in good judgment. Accept responsibility for your mistakes and learn from them.

Northern Michigan University is committed to creating an environment conducive to the personal growth and development of students. Your student rights and responsibilities are outlined in the NMU Student Handbook which is located at www.nmu.edu/dso/studenthandbook. Take time to review this document. It is essential that you know and understand the NMU "rules to live by." Questions regarding the Student Handbook should be directed to the Dean of Students Office, 2001 Hedgcock Building, (906) 227-1700.

Here is a brief overview of the sections of the Student Handbook:

Part 1, Student Rights and Responsibilities: This section of the handbook addresses students’ rights and duties, and institutional responsibilities pertaining to academic and administrative matters. Part 1 also describes the procedure for the resolution of grievances relating to academic and administrative matters, including the areas of grading and academic dishonesty. Students’ rights and freedoms outside of the classroom are also addressed.

Part 2, Student Code: This section lists university regulations and administrative policies which govern student behavior. Adjudication procedures and due process are also described here.

Part 3, University Policies and Related Documents: This section of the handbook presents full versions of university policies which are referenced within Parts 1 and 2 of the handbook. In addition, this section discusses other documents governing life in the NMU community.


College takes commitment and hard work. It also requires following procedures and knowing the rules. Let us know if you need our help.

Have a great semester!

Christine Greer
Dean of Students
2001 Hedgcock
dso@nmu.edu
906-227-1700