University Policies

Academic Year 2022-2023

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In accordance with Section 35.106 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all participants, applicants, organizations, and interested individuals are advised and notified that the ADA Coordinator for Northwestern State University for facilities is the Director of University Affairs, Jennifer Kelly (318-357-4300), located in New Fine Arts, 104 Central Avenue, Ste. 102 or email andersonje@nsula.edu. For student academic services, contact the Director of Accessibility and Disability Support, Taylor Camidge (318-357-5460) located in Room 108-C Watson Memorial Library or email camidget@nsula.edu. For faculty/staff accommodations and services, contact Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Human Resources, Veronica M. Biscoe (318-357-6359), Room 111 Caspari Hall or email ramirezv@nsula.edu.

Student Academic Honesty Statement
If knowledge is to be properly evaluated, it must be pursued under conditions free from deceit and misrepresentation, which are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution. Northwestern State University expects students to fulfill academic requirements independently and with integrity. Academic integrity is founded on values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, cheating or deception in any form, plagiarism (including duplicity), misuse of resources, falsification, and facilitating another student’s academic dishonesty. Acts of academic dishonesty violate the ethical principles of the University community and compromise work completed by others. For violations of academic honesty, a student may receive a grade of zero on the assignment and/or a grade of F in the class and will be referred to the Office of Accountability & Student Conduct to create a disciplinary record and/or receive any additional sanctions. For a comprehensive description of Academic Infractions refer to Article 4 Section 1 of the Student Handbook.

Sexual Harassment & Assault
Please refer to the following website for complete information: https://www.nsula.edu/notalone/

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

This act prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. NSU is committed to equal opportunity for student success by providing access to educational programs, tuition assistance, and social and recreational activities for all students without regard to race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy or parenting status, veteran status, or retirement status. Student complaints or inquiries related to Title IX should be directed to the Director of Student Advocacy/Title IX Coordinator, Julie Powell, obannanj@nsula.edu 318-357-5570, located in room #308 of the Student Services Center.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Northwestern State University defines diversity as including, but not limited to differences in age, gender identity and expression, religion, language, sexuality, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, mental and physical abilities, and geographic background. In our mission to understand our differences, we also hope to realize our commonalities and recognize how all these parts of our identities shape each of our experiences of the world. We are dedicated to fostering a community based on empathy, thoughtful dialogue, personal growth, and action.

Social Media

Every Northwestern State University student is encouraged to help create an environment that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone in classrooms and on social media. Students should be aware of their association with and responsibilities to NSU while using social media, whether on official NSU sites or in personal communication. Students must also keep in mind that once digital content is created, they have very little control over how that content is shared or how permanent it becomes, and so the impact of statements and the online persona must be considered, especially regarding potential classmates and employers. Students should exercise their freedom of speech to communicate online with respect, which includes adhering to the Student Code of Conduct and reading and responding carefully to others in order to understand their point-of-view. Students must take responsibility for their words and criticism should be constructive, respect diversity, and show tolerance of differences. Students should make it clear that they are stating an opinion and not acting as an official representative of NSU when using social media for personal communication. When that may seem unclear, it may be useful to use a disclaimer such as, “views and opinion expressed are my own and do not reflect those of NSU.”

Campus/Classroom Civility Statement

Northwestern State University students, staff, and faculty are expected to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, personal dignity, mutual respect, and individual responsibility in both face-to-face and electronic educational settings regardless of the content of the ideas and opinions being shared. Ideas and opinions that are controversial or in opposition to others are welcomed in the NSU environment, and this policy shall not be used to prohibit the sharing of controversial or unpopular ideas or opinions but merely to call for civility when idea and opinion sharing. All members of the NSU community have the right to a safe environment free of disturbances and civil in all aspects of human relations. Whether in a face-to-face or online classroom, students who engage in disruptive or abusive discourse or actions may be removed from the class and subject to disciplinary sanctions. In on-campus classrooms, students who speak at inappropriate times, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late or leaving early, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or other noise-making devices, wear headphones, are distracted with computers or other electronic devices, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others during the class period may be removed from the class and may be subject to disciplinary action under the Northwestern State University Student CODE OF CONDUCT nsula.edu - 107 - 2021-2022 Student Handbook Code of Conduct (Articles IV Infractions and VIII Sanctions). The instructor of a course may deem additional behaviors or actions inappropriate; these actions or behaviors will be outlined in the course syllabus. Copies of infractions begin on page 113 and sanctions begin on page 125 of this handbook and are available on the NSU website at nsula.edu/student handbook.

Class Attendance

Class attendance is an obligation and a privilege. All students are expected to attend their enrolled classes. Failure to do so may jeopardize students’ scholastic standing in their courses and may lead to suspension from the University. Course instructors are required to state expectations regarding class attendance during the first week of classes in writing to the students and must maintain a permanent attendance record for each class. Instructors may establish grading policies that incorporate attendance requirements, including policies and penalties for class absence, tardy attendance, make-up work, and late coursework. Instructors may excuse an absence for documented illness and doctor appointments, personal and family issues, and other similar situations at their discretion pursuant to the class attendance policy and shall excuse absences for official University-excused activities^[1] reported by University personnel, religious observances supported by students’ religious beliefs, official military orders and first responder orders during emergencies, scheduled court appearances, and jury duty. In professional degree programs (e.g., Nursing, Allied Health, Education), students are required to meet the minimum number of attendance or clinical hours each semester in each course. In the case of planned absence, students are responsible for anticipating such conflicts and discussing them with their instructors in advance, preferably at the beginning of the semester. In the case of unplanned absence, students shall submit documentation to their instructors upon their return to the respective class. Students tardy for a class meeting should resolve the matter with their instructors at the end of the class period during which the tardiness occurred. Otherwise, the instructor may treat the tardiness as an absence pursuant to the class attendance policy. Students are responsible for all class activities missed during their absences, whether excused or unexcused. Acceptance of make-up work and penalties for late work are determined by instructors’ discretion pursuant to the written attendance policy for the course. For students with excessive unexcused absences (ten percent or more of the total class meetings), instructors may complete the Non-Attendance Report of Grade Form and submit it to the academic dean of the course recommending that the student be dropped from the roster of that class. A grade of “F” shall be given if a student has unsatisfactory academic performance in the course and may be given if the student has five or more unexcused absences for MWF classes, four or more unexcused absences for MW or TR classes, two or more unexcused absences from classes that meet for three hours one time a week (Monday-Saturday), and two or more weeks of unexcused absences from Internet classes.

*Updated July 28, 2022

^[1] Official University-excused absences shall be sanctioned by the academic dean, dean of students, or the athletic director or the dean or director designee. Course instructors shall be notified in advance when students are participating in official University activities.