Standards of Conduct and Student Discipline
The University requires an environment conducive to the intellectual and personal growth of its students. National Louis University seeks to cultivate a sense of personal integrity in each of its students. Students are expected, therefore, to strive toward this objective and to develop as individuals in a manner that is consistent with the educational purposes of the University.
Alcoholic Beverages
In accordance with Illinois law, alcoholic beverages may not be sold to, given to, nor possessed by persons under 21 years of age. Use of alcoholic beverages at a student-attended function on University property is restricted to officially recognized University clubs and organizations that have received prior written approval of the President of the University or his/her designated representative. These clubs or organizations are responsible for complying with local, state and federal laws, as well as University procedures.
Cell Phone Usage
The university designates cell phone areas at each campus and cell phones should be on vibrate in all classes, meetings and university-sponsored events to avoid disrupting university business and the learning environment.
Children on Campus
The university does not permit faculty, staff, or students to bring children onto the property during work or class hours, due to the liability caused for the institution in the event that children are injured or exposed to other problems. Children are not allowed in classrooms, lounges, libraries, food/vending areas or office space at any time during work or class hours. Use of University facilities, equipment, and resources by children is also not permitted at those times. Parents may bring children while on campus when making short visits. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children must remain in the main lobby area and/or at student service department work areas while the student is conducting university business. Children should remain supervised as to not disrupt university operations, programs or activities
Classroom Etiquette
To help foster a positive learning environment, food must be cleaned from classrooms and allergens used sparingly.
Damage, Liability, Loss or Theft
The University disclaims responsibility for the loss or damage of personal property in any facility owned or operated by the University, or at any University function. Thefts should be reported to the Campus Office of Public Safety or Facilities Manager.
Students may file official complaints against other individuals suspected of theft or believed to be responsible for damage to property, with a University administrator, with the civil authorities, or with both.
Disruption
National Louis University recognizes a student’s right to speak, inquire, or dissent but requires that these freedoms be exercised in an orderly and responsible manner. The University, therefore, prohibits any student or group of students from interfering with the personal rights of another individual, the holding of classes, the carrying out of University business, or the progress of any authorized event on campus.
Any student who causes disruption or interruption of a University class or program may be asked by a faculty member, or other University official, to leave the premises for a temporary period. This includes disruptions caused as a result of drug or alcohol use, acute physiological or psychological disorder, or deliberate reasons. The faculty member or other University official should then report the incident to the Office of Student Experience or to Campus Administration by completing an incident report form. Please refer to the Policy on Disruptive Classroom Behavior.
Drugs
Possession, use or distribution of cannabis, or other illegal or controlled substances, is not permitted on University property or at University functions, in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Students receiving prescription medications from a physician must have a prescription in their possession.
Fire Safety
Fires may not be started in any facility of the University or on University property unless authorized by the Vice President for Operations of the University and in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Students are to cooperate fully whenever a fire alarm is sounded and proceed to assigned fire exits quickly and calmly. Failure to cooperate will result in disciplinary action.
Fire safety equipment may be used only in the event of an emergency or by authorized personnel in training for emergency. False activation of a fire alarm is a crime, which is vigorously prosecuted as a felony. Law enforcement considers these offenses to be serious as they represent the potential for serious injury during an evacuation and diversion of critical fire department personnel. The University does not tolerate or excuse accidental discharge of the fire alarm stations on its properties. National Louis University will prosecute, to the fullest extent allowed by law, anyone found making or causing a false activation of the fire alarms. Further, it will take disciplinary actions against such individuals, up to and including, dismissal from the university. Punishment for conviction of false fire alarm activation includes significant monetary fines and felony imprisonment with terms as long as 3 years.
Forgery
Forgery of any type, such as the alteration or misuse of University business or academic records or papers, is forbidden. Also expressly forbidden is the forgery of a signature of any employee of the University.
Facilities and Property
Students are accountable for the care of any facility used by the University and for the property of the University and its students. Acts of vandalism, such as damage or destruction of property owned by the University or its students are prohibited. Theft of any kind, including seizing, receiving, or concealing property with the knowledge that it has been stolen, is forbidden. Sale or possession of property without the owner’s permission is also prohibited. Repair or replacement costs and/or disciplinary action will result when damage, liability, loss, or theft occurs. The University further reserves the right to contact local authorities to address those acts that are in violation of the law.
Gambling
National Louis University prohibits gambling, the sponsoring of lotteries, and the sale of lottery tickets.
Personal and Physical Safety
No student shall injure or threaten a member of the University community. All instances should be reported to the Office of Student Experience, and/or the campus Office of Public Safety by completing an incident report form. Professional staff members are available for mediation and/or intervention. Records are kept related to unusual occurrences and conduct violations. In situations where a conduct violation is alleged to have occurred, the provisions of the Student Hearing and Appeal System shall apply.
Requests by Officials of the University
Students are expected to comply with reasonable and lawful requests or direction by members of the faculty, administrative staff, and others acting in the performance of their official duties.
Students must respond promptly to summons from faculty members, administrative officers, and officers of disciplinary committees. Students must surrender ID cards at the official request of a faculty member or administrator of the University. It is considered a violation of the Standards of Conduct for a student to provide false or misleading information to a University official.
Sales and Soliciting
Salespersons and solicitors are not permitted to operate within campus facilities without the approval of the campus Facilities Management Office. Students and student organizations may conduct canvasses and charitable or fund-raising drives with prior permission from the Office of Student Experience or the appropriate University representative.
Violations of University Policy, Local, State, or Federal Laws
Students are expected to comply with all local, state, and federal laws and ordinances. They are subject to all rules and regulations, both academic and co-curricular, developed by the University and included in any of its publications. A student alleged to have violated one or more rules, laws, or regulations will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Hearing and Appeal System and/or disciplinary action by the civil authorities.
Policy on Student Disciplinary Hearing and Appeals System
The formal responsibility for student discipline has been delegated to the Director of Student Experience. This includes:
- Administering the regulations of the University.
- Counseling students involved in disciplinary matters.
- Coordinating the judicial procedures.
- Processing communication and maintaining a central file of disciplinary actions.
National Louis University focuses attention on the development of a student’s potential by encouraging self-discipline, fostering a respect for the rights of others, and encouraging cooperation with the regulations of the University. Therefore, the disciplinary process provides opportunity for students to:
- Reassess those aspects of their personal behavior that necessitated disciplinary action.
- Increase their awareness of the expectations that the campus community holds.
- Accept responsibility for modifying their behavior to better meet these responsibilities.
- Continue their education and development through their discipline experience.
Such a program requires a positive regard for the welfare of the individual student and a rational commitment to resolving disciplinary situations in a constructive and educational manner. However, when a student deliberately disregards the regulations of the campus community, sanctions will be imposed as an expression of the community’s interest in achieving a positive living and learning environment.
Students with Disabilities—Grievance Procedures
Informal Complaint Procedure
If a student is comfortable, she or he should speak first about the concerns with his or her faculty member, program director or college dean. In these discussions, a satisfactory resolution may be readily found.
An applicant who feels she or he has been discriminated against because of a disability may speak with his or her enrollment representative regarding the situation or contact the Department of Diversity, Access and Equity. A student or applicant who is uncertain about filing a formal complaint may wish to discuss the question informally with the Director of Diversity and Employment; 847.947.5275; FAX 847.947.5610. This informal discussion may result in the development of an approach enabling the student or applicant to deal with the situation or the Director of Diversity and Employment may take the complaint under formal review.
Formal Grievance Procedure
A student or applicant who decides to file a formal complaint should contact the Department of Diversity, Access and Equity, 847.947.5275. If the grievance concerns the actions of the Director of Diversity and Employment, the grievance will be investigated by an impartial university official. All other grievances will be promptly investigated and reviewed by the Director of Diversity and Employment. The purpose of the review is to determine if university policy and applicable federal and local law have been followed and, if not, to address the consequences that may have resulted and take appropriate corrective action. Information relevant to the matter may be requested from the involved parties. Upon the completion of the investigation, the Director of Diversity and Employment will provide a response notifying the student or applicant of the findings and recommendations.
A student or applicant who uses the complaint procedure must not be retaliated against for doing so. The student or applicant may choose another student, faculty or staff employee to accompany him or her through the procedure. The other student or employee may help to express the complaint. A student or applicant who finds that a complaint is not resolved to his or her satisfaction may appeal to the Provost or to the Vice President of Human Resources. The finding and response from either of these officers is the final response for the university. Additionally, a student or applicant who believes that she or he has been harassed or discriminated against because of a disability can file a Charge of Discrimination at their regional U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. For example, the Illinois and Wisconsin Regional office is at 111 N. Canal Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60606.