Where can I find a full list of the Academic Policies and Procedures that affect me?

Below are a few key policies for UNWSP, a full list of Academic Policies and Procedures are located in the Dual Enrollment Handbook for Dual Enrollment courses or the College of Graduate, Online, and Adult Learning Catalog. Access to the Dual Enrollment Handbook is located on the homepage of myUNW and in the email signatures of all Dual Enrollment staff. Any questions regarding academic policies and procedures can be directed to de@unwsp.edu or your academic advisor.

What is FERPA, and what does it mean for me?

Northwestern conforms to the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended. Detailed information about FERPA and Northwestern may be found on myUNW > Pages > Student Services > Community Resources > Community Policies > FERPA and the Solomon Amendment.

FERPA sets out requirements for the protection of student privacy. It deals specifically with the education records of students, affording them certain rights with respect to those records. Students are annually notified of their detailed rights under FERPA in student handbooks and/or other means. FERPA does not apply to records of applicants for admission who are denied acceptance or, if accepted, do not attend an institution.

In keeping with the requirements of FERPA, Northwestern hereby designates the following items as directory information. The university may disclose any of these items for any purpose at its discretion without prior written consent, unless notified in writing to the contrary by the student. Directory Information includes the student’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, digitized image/photograph/video, date and place of birth (place of birth not currently collected or available), major field of study, dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate, full-time or part-time, etc.), participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards received, and the most recent previous educational institution attended.

Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of information under the provisions of FERPA. To withhold disclosure of directory information, students must fill out the Request to Restrict or Lift Information form on myUNW > Pages > Advising and Registration (Trad) > Request to Restrict or Lift Restricted Information. Submitting this form will make the directory information confidential unless the student fills out another form to lift the restriction. As with all confidential student records, Northwestern will release information to designated parties only with the express written consent of the student or as otherwise required by law. Failure of the student to specifically request the withholding of directory information indicates approval of disclosure.

Each student should give careful consideration to the consequences of any decision to withhold directory information. Should the student decide to do this, all future requests for directory information, however legitimate, will be refused. This includes family, friends, prospective employers, credit agencies, and others to whom the student may want this information known. Northwestern cannot assume the responsibility to contact the student for subsequent permission to release directory information. Regardless of the effect upon the student, the university assumes no liability for honoring an instruction to withhold directory information.

Further information concerning FERPA may be found on the UNW FERPA information page.

Is Northwestern compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act?

In the belief that diversity strengthens the educational community, Northwestern strives to be in full compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and 2008. Northwestern strives to uphold the biblical model of Godly inclusion.

Students with disabilities should seek accommodations. Disabilities Office for Support Services (DOSS) collaborates with other offices on campus to assist students with academic, physical, social/emotional, and other special needs. After the appropriate documentation has been received and reviewed, reasonable accommodations are provided based on the individual student’s needs.

If you have questions regarding available services, please contact Academic Achievement at 651-628-3241 or academicachievement@unwsp.edu.