Exceptions to Academic Policy
Students who would like to request an exception to academic policy must policy–such as making a registration change after a registration deadline has passed–must complete an Academic Exception Request form on theROCK in which they present details and supporting documentation for their request. The request must clearly present the specific policy for which the exception is requested and the rationale behind the request.
Academic Appeals
Academic appeals (such as probation, suspension, academic requirements, etc.) for academic standing are to be submitted using the Academic Exception Request Standing Appeal form on theROCK. The request will be presented to the appropriate appeals committee In cases of alleged plagiarism or cheating, the appeals are to be submitted to the Registrar and the DE office.. All appeal decisions are final.
Course-related appeals (such as course grades, class expectations, unfair or discriminatory actions, etc.) are to be submitted to the Director of Dual Enrollment who will present them to the appropriate appeals committee. Appeals are to be submitted via e-mail within three weeks of the decision in question. Written appeals should clearly document all pertinent facts, circumstances, collaborating information (if available), basis for appeal, documentation of resolution attempts made, and action requested. In cases of alleged plagiarism or cheating, the appeals are to be submitted to the Assistant Dean of the College of Graduate, Online, and Adult Learning following the decision letter from the instructor. All appeal decisions are final.
Before a course-related appeal is submitted, all DE students should make every effort to resolve an issue by taking the following actions:
- Speaking with the instructor directly involved with the decision.
- Speaking with the Program Manager if the issue remains unresolved.
- Appealing to the Director of Dual Enrollment if there is still a problem. In the event that the Director of Dual Enrollment is the Program Manager, appealing to the Assistant Dean of CGOAL.
- Final appeals go through the Dean of CGOAL or, ultimately, the Registrar.
Grievances
Students who feel they have been unfairly treated by any faculty or staff member should speak directly with the individual involved. If the student feels that additional action is required or feels unable to speak directly with the faculty or staff member involved, the student should speak with the appropriate supervisor.
Student Concerns and Complaint Policy
Our desire is to provide the best experience possible for students as they pursue their education. We realize there may be an occasion where students have a concern or complaint. In such cases we seek to provide an efficient response and resolution to students' concerns and complaints. We have established several situation-specific processes for students to express their concerns and complaints. We strongly encourage you to attempt resolving the situation directly with the offending person/department prior to filing a concern/complaint. A portlet on theROCK home page provides details and portlet as to appeal and complaint procedures.If students have a general student concern or complaint that does not fit under one of the aforementioned categories, or if students have a question about filing a complaint, you may contact the Student Life Office at 651-631-5205, via e-mail or via the Student Complaint form. The Student Complaint form must be submitted within 30 business days of the occurrence. A submitted form is electronically delivered to the Vice President for Student Life. Upon receipt of the complaint, the student will be contacted by a student life staff member within 5 business days to discuss the complaint and outline a plan to address the complaintFull information regarding complaints can be found on the Student Concerns & Complaints page on myUNW > All Pages > Student Services > Student Concerns & Complaints for appeal and complaint procedures.
Dual Enrollment students may go to their academic advisor to start the conversation about any concerns or complaints. Students may then be directed to the Director of Dual Enrollment (non-responsive faculty situations, grade policy concerns or complaints) or the Assistant Dean of CGOAL (academic dishonesty questions, plagiarism, academic integrity, academic exceptions, or academic appeal concerns and complaints) depending on the nature of the concern.
Disciplinary Process
Northwestern may initiate disciplinary action against students for violations which arise either on or off campus when the student is in violation of federal, state, or local laws or if the violation materially or adversely affects the university or an individual’s suitability to be a member of the Northwestern community. Northwestern reserves the right to immediately remove a student from a class or school as a whole for behavior which is determined to impede the academic success of the class or the safety of the community. The university reserves the right to immediately remove a student from school when any community guideline has been violated or any conditions agreed upon during disciplinary due process have been broken.
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- Restitution/Reconciliation: The student is required to initiate action to mend a relationship with an individual, a specific group or the university community at large. That action may be through an apology, financial reimbursement, and/or service to the community.
- Fines or Sanctions: Penalties deemed appropriate by corresponding departments.
- Disciplinary Warning: A warning is communicated to a student that his or her behavior and/or choices should change or cease. A warning may be issued when a student is in jeopardy of further disciplinary action.
- Disciplinary Accountability: Accountability is an expectation, initiated by the university or student, to spend a period of time actively addressing matters of concern through accountability.
- Disciplinary Probation: Probation is an opportunity for the student to actively address areas of concern through accountability when choices that have been made violate community guidelines. Continued violation of community guidelines will result in disciplinary suspension from the university.
The purpose of disciplinary probation is to provide additional external discipline and counseling for a student struggling to abide by Northwestern’s standards and policies. Conditions of probation may include but are not limited to: a contract stating behavior changes and expectations; weekly meetings with an assigned faculty/staff member; pledge of adherence to the Declaration of Christian Community; and completion of a topical assignment, seminar, or series addressing personal development. Students involved in co-curricular or extracurricular activities (i.e., athletics, music, drama, leadership roles) are subject to certain restrictions that would adjust levels of involvement for a determined period of time. Specific information on these restrictions is available from the DE office or from the appropriate coach/advisor. - Disciplinary Suspension: A suspension is when a student loses the privilege of continuing at Northwestern for a designated period of time. Disciplinary suspension may be implemented at any time (immediately or at the completion of a semester), based upon flagrant or repeated violations of Northwestern’s standards.
The university intends that disciplinary suspension allows the student to reevaluate personal spirituality, values, and attitude toward Northwestern’s standards. A student placed on disciplinary suspension is restricted from the university premises for the duration of the suspension. Requests for permission to be on campus must be processed in advance through the director Director of public safety Public Safety and/or the Director of Dual Enrollment.
Applications for readmission must include a written account of this evaluation and a pledge to abide by Northwestern policies. Readmission requests are submitted to and approved by appropriate DE staff the Director of Undergraduate PathwaysDual Enrollment. All students who are readmitted return under disciplinary accountability or probation. In the rare case that a student is subject to disciplinary suspension for a second time after being readmitted, the student is not permitted to re-enroll at Northwestern. - Disciplinary Expulsion: An expulsion is when a student permanently loses the privilege of attending Northwestern. Expulsion may be implemented at any time (immediately or at the completion of a semester), based upon flagrant or repeated violations of Northwestern’s standards.
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