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Throughout its history, Northland has expected students to conduct themselves honorably in all of their relations with others. The privileges of admission and continued attendance involve, for each individual, a degree of self-discipline and responsibility that enables all to live and work productively within the College community. When you accept admission to Northland College, the College expects you to conduct yourself in accordance with its policies, standards, and regulations.
Student Rights
As a member of the Northland College community, you are participating in an academic climate that seeks to foster the freedom to teach and the freedom to learn. The Bill of Rights guarantees certain rights to all citizens. The Northland academic community reasserts those rights as central to the concepts of academic freedom and individual dignity and worth.
The Right to Freedom of Association recognizes that you bring to Northland College a variety of interests, and you are encouraged to form associations to promote those interests. Campus organizations and facilities are open to you without respect to sex, age, race, creed, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin except for those religious qualifications required by organizations whose aims are primarily sectarian.
The Right to Freedom of Inquiry and Expression allows you to hold meetings, invite and hear speakers of your choosing, petition for redress of grievances, and peaceably demonstrate. Student publications exercise this freedom to the extent that they conform to the standards of responsible journalism.
The Right to Freedom of Religion and Conscience allows you to participate in or adhere to any doctrine, or personal faith or creed, as your conscience dictates.
Student Records
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment, is designed to protect the privacy of student records. Northland College conforms to the law regarding conditions under which confidential records will be released.
A student’s academic file is maintained in the Registrar’s Office. This file contains a permanent record of the courses students take and the credits they earn at Northland (in addition to those courses and credits accepted in transfer from other colleges) that contribute to a Northland degree; the type(s) of degrees awarded to students and when; and students’ majors and any honors bestowed at graduation. The file also contains application forms, evaluations, and transcripts from other colleges and high schools. Test results such as ACT, SAT, and College Placement may also be included in the file.
Grade reports are available to students electronically. Parents of dependent students also have the right of access to grades and other information regarding academic performance as permitted by the student.
Student Responsibilities
Living in community at Northland comes with both rights and responsibilities. Respect for human, built, and natural environments is the cornerstone that enables all to live and work productively within the College community.
Conduct Code
The Northland College Conduct Code is the official body of regulations governing the conduct of members of the College community. The Student Life staff developed it, and the Student Senate, Faculty Senate, and the College administration approved it. The procedures in the Conduct Code provide due process and encourage responsible choice and freedom for each campus citizen. It is a system of justice designed to meet the needs of all members of the campus community. All segments of the College community support its provisions, and amendments or changes in the document require review and approval by each of these segments. Copies of the Code are available to each residential student in the Residential Life Handbook, and it is included in the Student Handbook, which is accessible to all students on the Northland web site at http://www.northland.edu/student-life-resources-student-handbook.htm.
The regulations and policies outlined in the Code do not modify or replace local, state, or federal laws. Behavior in violation of such laws may subject the student to prosecution in the civil courts. The Northland College judicial system functions to hear cases of alleged violation of any portion of the Code. Consequences are assigned to those convicted of violations.
The Code identifies consequences for various offenses, typically an educational sanction that may include monetary fines that increase with subsequent convictions. For major offenses or continued violations, the hearing officers have the power to expel students from Northland College under provisions of the Code.
Northland College maintains specific regulations and policies on residence hall living, firearms storage and use, the operation of College organizations, drug use and abuse, and the possession of alcoholic beverages on campus. Violation of these policies and regulations may also be prosecuted through either the campus or civil courts. All cases are subject to appeal to a higher board or authority. Northland College also reserves the power of pardon for any convicted member of the College community.
Copies of all Northland College conduct policies are on file in the Office of Student Life. Clearly defined codes allow each student to understand what behavior constitutes unacceptable conduct in the College community. The regulations defined in the Northland College Conduct Code and in the other official College policy statements allow each member of the College community to live and work productively within a healthy and safe environment. |
