DISCIPLINARY PROCESS
The printed guidelines should not be regarded as moral absolutes, but as responsibilities of all members of the NNU Community.
These guidelines help us to live comfortably together. It is intended that these expectations strike an important balance between individual autonomy and group membership within the community.
Failure to adhere to the stated guidelines will result in intervention with consequences:
CONSEQUENCES OF BEHAVIOR:
The administration is required by law to keep records for current and prospective students on types & frequency of crimes within the campus community.
It is expected that members of NNU will conform to the community living guidelines. Those who do not should be aware of the following range of possible sanctions:
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Warning/Reprimand
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Community Service: A project designed for the improvement of the campus or local community environment.
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Fines: Unless otherwise stated, fines will be determined by any of the university's disciplinary agencies. Fines must be paid within two weeks of the day on which they are incurred. Failure to do so will result in a doubling of the original amount of each fine. Students are encouraged to talk to the person who issued the fine, if there is a problem, before the fine is due. Unpaid fines are placed on the student's account in the Business Office at the end of the term.
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Social Restriction/Limitation of Privileges: Restricted to the dorm for a certain number of days at a set time. A student may also be prevented from representing the university during this time (choir, athletic events, etc.)
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Disciplinary Probation: A written warning that further violations of campus policies may result in dismissal from university. This will include a signed contract between the student and the university. A permanent record may be kept in the student's file located in the Student Development Office. If withdrawal occurs before the end of the term, academic work is forfeited. There is no refund of university costs.
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Suspension: Involuntary, complete, or partial separation of the student from the university for a specified length of time, which may include the current term and/or the following term. Parents of dependent students may be notified and a permanent record may be kept in the student's file located in the Student Development Office. To regain admittance at the end of the suspension period, the student must petition the Student Life Executive Committee. There is no refund of university costs.
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Withdrawal: Permission to withdraw from university without the privilege of return until a specific time. Parents of dependents may be notified and a permanent record may be kept in the student's file located in the Student Development Office. If withdrawal occurs before the end of the term, academic work is forfeited. There is no refund of university costs.
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Dismissal: Involuntary separation from the university with the privilege of returning for at least one full year. Parents of dependent students may be notified and a permanent record may be kept in the student's file located in the Student Development Office. Academic work in progress is forfeited and university costs are not refunded. To regain admittance the student must petition to the Student Life Executive Committee.
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Any combination or order of the above sanctions.
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In addition to the provisions of termination for misconduct, the university reserves the right at the end of any quarter or the academic term to deny re-enrollment or the right to access campus housing to any student when such action, approved by the President, is deemed to be in the best interest of the university or the Student.
PROCEDURES
a. In all disciplinary cases, at all levels, the student shall be reminded that development and personal integrity are primary. Also, the students should understand that corrective measures, intended to help each student respond creatively to the NNU environment, are selected if possible. In all cases, students shall be informed of their right to appeal when disciplinary actions are initiated.
Minor infractions should be handled at the "grass roots" level, by an informal discussion with the person initiating the intervention action and others directly involved (i.e., in the case of Residence Hall infractions, RA or RD). At this point, the charges may be dropped or the penalties altered.
If no acceptable solution can be reached through an informal meeting to resolve the issue, the accused student may appeal the disciplinary action to the appropriate body (i.e., Peer Board, Residence Life Board, Community Life Board, Student Life Executive Committee, or Office of Student Development). The appeal must be made through the Office of Student Development. The Board to which an appeal is made has the prerogative not to hear the case if the Chair deems there to be insufficient evidence or if it is not worthy of the time commitment of its members.
b. More serious violations ( often second offenses of school policies) will be referred to the Community Life Board. "Serious violations" refer to those cases that may result in probation, suspension, expulsion, or dismissal from school. Normally this category shall include life-style guideline violations, (i.e., alcohol/tobacco/drug use, violation of the law of the land, abusive hazing, disruptive or intimidating behavior, etc.).
The final determination of "serious" shall be made by the Office of Student Development. These cases will be referred to the appropriate agency.
HEARINGS
a. Most disciplinary situations involving residence hall rules will be heard by the Peer Board of the respective resident halls. Disciplinary situations of a more serious nature, i.e., those involving violations of life-styles guidelines, will be heard by the Residential Life Board. All disciplinary situations involving off-campus students will be heard by the Community Life Board.
b. Any disciplinary action will be taken only after the student has had opportunity to hear the charge against him/her and to state his/her case in the presence of the appropriate disciplinary agency. Because the prime objective of the university community is educational, disciplinary hearings are conducted as informal inquires and do not follow formalized courtroom procedures. Basic procedures, however, have been established by each agency and will be followed in each hearing.
c. At the time of notification of a hearing, a student shall be advised, in writing, of the charges. Whenever applicable, notification shall be given as to where a statement of the regulation or policy which was allegedly violated can be found. Adequate time shall be allowed from time of notification to time of hearing. If a student misses the hearing because of not receiving notification, the decision will be delayed until the Chair has personally notified the student of a new hearing.
d. Only evidence which has a direct relationship to the charge shall be permitted.
e. A record of a previous violation(s) shall not be considered as having a direct relationship to ascertaining guilt. A record of pervious violations may be considered in determining degree of discipline.
f. Any prescribed disciplinary action shall be postponed pending the outcome of appeal.