Student Handbook: Policies & Procedures

The act of hazing is a violation of the University’s Student Conduct Code and Student Organization Code of Conduct, the University’s Employee Handbook, Missouri law (RSMo. 578.365), and the Stop Campus Hazing Act (Pub. L. No. 118-173, 2024). Northwest Missouri State University neither condones nor tolerates hazing of any type by any student organization, or by any University-affiliated individual, regardless of where the hazing occurs.

The University and each (inter)national fraternity and sorority expects its members to obey all local, state, and federal laws and to abide by the chapter’s policies, guidelines, and standards. Significant resources are allocated at all levels to educate the members about alcohol and substance abuse and being responsible for their behavior and actions.

All activities sponsored by student organizations, including Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations, must be consistent with the founding principles of the organizations and must compliment the educational mission of Northwest Missouri State University. If you are concerned about any suspicious activities, or have any questions, please contact the Office of Student Involvement at 660.562.1226.

Click this link to access a PDF version of the Anti-Hazing Policy.

The students, faculty, and staff at Northwest endeavor to sustain an environment that values honesty in academic work, that acknowledges the authorized aid and intellectual contributions of others, and that enables equitable evaluation of student work. Sustaining academic integrity at Northwest is the responsibility of the entire university community.

Students are responsible for performing with integrity in all academic situations. Students must be especially attentive to academic integrity whenever submitting work for evaluation, honors, or publication.

Eight Behaviors that Violate the Code of Academic Integrity 

1. Knowingly giving or receiving unauthorized aid or information;
2. Committing plagiarism;
3. Misrepresenting facts or data;
4. Offering bribes;
5. Using library, computer, or other university resources unethically;
6. Knowingly engaging in acts of deception, falsification, or misrepresentation that interfere with equitable academic assessment and evaluation;
7. Publishing or transmitting academic materials authored by an instructor, including study guides, exams, and assignments, without the author’s permission;
8. Knowingly assisting in any of the above practices.

Northwest Missouri State University recognizes its responsibility to foster a learning environment that minimizes negative impact of high-risk alcohol use and drug use/possession on student life and academic success. The University recognizes that unlawful drug use must be prohibited and care must be taken to allow alcohol only in settings where it is responsible to do so, and to ensure that policies do not result in an atmosphere in which irresponsible or dangerous alcohol use is likely to result.

To review the complete Illegal Drug and Alcohol Policy, please click this link to access the PDF version of the policy.

Drug Free University

The University prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance on University owned or controlled property, as any part of a University activity, and while doing University work. The University prohibits individuals from being under the influence of illegal drugs on University owned or controlled property or as part of a University activity. This practice does not prohibit use of legally obtained drugs, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, while on University premises, while engaged in a University activity, or while performing University work, provided those drugs are used in accordance with the prescription by the prescription holder or with over-the-counter directions.

Use of Alcohol

University policy also does not recognize the misuse of alcoholic beverages as an excuse for misconduct of any kind – including violations of University policies – by employees, students, or student organizations. Emphasis is placed on the responsible use of alcohol. Responsible drinking is the use of alcohol in ways that do not negatively affect either the individual or the community and do not violate the law. Alcohol is not permitted anywhere on University property except as specified in the University’s Alcoholic Beverages on University Property Policy.

Click this link to access the PDF of the Alcohol on University Property policy.

The University is committed to providing an environment that is safe and healthy. Consistent with this policy, the use of tobacco is prohibited on all University owned or leased property (“University Property”) and in all University vehicles. This policy will apply to all students, employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors on University Property or in University vehicles.

Tobacco encompasses all tobacco products, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah, chew, snuff, pouches, and all other forms of smoke-generating, vapor-generating, or smokeless products, as well as any other nicotine delivery method not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a nicotine replacement therapy. This policy also prohibits selling, distributing, or sampling tobacco on University Property as well as advertising tobacco on University Property, except in facilities leased for events or performances.

The behavior of a student or group of students that disrupts or threatens to disrupt a class, university function, or otherwise materially and substantially disrupts the functioning of the institution or that affects, or threatens to affect, the safety or health of an individual or group of individuals (student or employee) will immediately be referred to the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs- Student Engagement and Development (AVP), who will determine appropriate actions. Disruptive behavior includes a student’s failure to address and/or manage emotional or health issues thereby putting that student's well-being at risk, as well as the living/ learning environment of others. Examples include, but are not limited to, suicidal threats, self-starvation or purging, or on-going substance abuse or addiction. The AVP has the discretion to address instances of disruptive behavior by referring them either to the student conduct system or by taking other actions deemed appropriate.

Mandated Risk Assessment

Involuntary Withdrawal

Readmission

To begin the poster approval process:

1. Student Organizations recognized by Student Senate can have their poster(s) approved through Bearcat Link or approved by hand in the Office of Student Involvement.
2. Postings from Northwest Departments can be approved by obtaining a stamp from the Office of Student Involvement or University Marketing and Communication.
3. Individual students, sponsored by a Northwest Department, can have their posting approved by the Office of Student Involvement.
4. Businesses (non-Northwest), public organizations, and private citizens can email their poster to OSI@nwmissouri.edu or have it approved by hand in the Office of Student Involvement.
5. Northwest Departments and Student Organizations with an approval stamp can post on University Boards. All others can only post on the Public/Non-University Boards.
6. Posters are required to have the following information:
   1. Who is sponsoring the event?
   2. What is the event being promoted?
   3. Where will the event take place? (Be Specific)
   4. When? Date and time of when event is being held.
   5. Contact information
7. Requests must be submitted at least two days prior to the event and posted for only a maximum of two weeks.

Regulations:

1. No posting on walls, doors, or windows.
2. No postings permissible in the bathrooms, except with express permission of the OSI.
3. No postings on trees, fences, benches, lampposts, signs, monuments or buildings, or placed on parked cars.
4. Postings may be attached with staples or push pins (tacks) to Bulletin Boards. No tape or glue is permitted.
5. Postings must be removed within one week after the event.
6. Postings may be no longer than 14.5 by 22.5
7. No inappropriate content that is disruptive to the educational environment of the University or that violates the University’s policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment. This includes but is not limited to: pornography, obscenities, pictures or association to alcohol and/or illegal substances.
8. Postings not in English need to include an English translation on the posting. Exceptions may be made for phrases that are of common knowledge.
9. There may be only one posting hanging on each University Board.
10. All postings on the University Boards must have Student Involvement stamp or University Marketing & Communication stamp.
11. For unusual postings outside the norm (i.e. oversized, odd locations, etc.), contact Auxiliary Services: auxserv@nwmissouri.edu

 Violations

1. Reports of violations of this Policy may be submitted to the Office of Student Involvement.
2. For minor violations such as failure to remove expired postings, covering or removing another posting, or hanging more than one posting per bulletin board, the following sanctions will be imposed:
   1. The first offense each academic year shall result in a written warning directed to the president of the organization or the department head.
   2. Each subsequent offense shall result in the loss of posting privileges for 15 weeks excluding Northwest Holidays beginning on the date the violation was submitted.
3. For major violations such as forgery of approval or hanging an unapproved posting, the following sanctions may be imposed:
   1. Revocation of posting privileges for up to one academic year from the date of the violation.
   2. A monetary fine of $25.

1. Organizations must be registered and recognized by Student Senate and registered in Bearcat Link to chalk. Individuals sponsored by a Northwest Department may also chalk.
2. A recognized organization or individual sponsored by a Northwest Department who wishes to perform sidewalk chalking must submit a Sidewalk Chalking Application. Please print the form or pick one up from the OSI, complete it and return it to the Office of Student Involvement on the 2nd floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union.
3. Upon submitting the Sidewalk Chalking Application, the organization will receive sidewalk chalk from the OSI.
4. Individuals submitting applications must submit either their organization's Northwest ID#, or provide their own student ID# and sign the form, agreeing to the terms of this policy.
5. Chalking may only be done on sidewalks and with non-permanent chalk.
6. No content shall be made in chalking that materially and substantially disrupts the functioning of the institution, or is unlawful, or involves speech that rises to the level of illegal harassment as defined by the University’s policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment.
7. No libelous, harassing, or discriminatory references shall be made in the chalking.
8. Northwest Missouri State University's policy is to allow up to two recognized organizations or individuals to post during the same period, not to exceed 2 weeks (Sunday - Sunday).
9. Organizations and individuals are asked to rank preference of locations for chalking on the application. If a second organization or individual signs up for the same period, the OSI will notify both parties which locations they are allowed to chalk.
10. Chalking must be cleaned with soap and water within 2 days after the chalking end-date, or the ID# provided on the application will be charged a $10 fee per location

Parking on campus requires a permit. Student parking permits are $90 for the academic year. Students must register for vehicle permits online through CATPAWS and pick up permits at the Cashiering Office in the Administration Building. Rules and regulations governing parking on campus are located online at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/police/parking and in print at University Police.

For information on the University policy on towing and immobilization, click this link to access the PDF version of the policy.

Skateboard, rollerblade, bicycle, and hoverboard activity should be conducted with courtesy toward all students using the sidewalks. Such activity should be conducted away from University buildings and high traffic areas. We encourage everyone to register their bicycle with University Police.

1. All University sidewalks and walkways are to be considered high-traffic areas.
2. All pedestrians have the right of way over the above mentioned modes of transportation using the sidewalks.
3. Cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, and hover boarding in buildings and off stairways, picnic tables, benches and retaining walls is prohibited.
4. Any student who violates the above policy may face disciplinary action by the University.
5. Bicycles should be chained only to bicycle racks — not to sign posts, railings or trees.
6. Hover boards are restricted to outside use only. They are not allowed in University buildings, including residence halls, for any reason (including for storage and/or charging purposes).

Northwest captures photographs and videos of students throughout the year. These images often include students in classrooms, labs, residence halls, at athletic events, and other University activities. Northwest reserves the right to use these photographs and videos in the promotion of the University. Students who enroll at Northwest do so with the understanding that photographs and videos may be taken which would include them and which may be used in University publications, newspapers, and other media for promotional purposes including advertising and marketing. Names of students may also be released to the press regarding student involvement in academic and extracurricular activities.

Students who do not want the University to use their image or likeness must contact Registrar’s Office to provide a written notification of intent to opt-out and to not participate in or be included in University promotional material. If a student opts-out, the University will undertake its best efforts to not use images or the likeness of the student.

Contact the Registrar at this link.

Click this link to access a PDF version of the full Student Image Policy.

Northwest Missouri State University recognizes the need of campus community members to identify themselves by a name different than their legal name.  Therefore, Northwest Missouri State University has developed procedures to accommodate any student, staff or faculty member who may choose to identify, within the university community, with a preferred first name that differs from their legal name.

Click this link to access the complete Preferred Name Policy in PDF format.

It is the policy of Northwest to maintain access for its community to local, national, and international sources of information, and to provide an atmosphere that encourages the free exchange of ideas and sharing of information.

Access to this environment and the University’s information technology services and resources should be considered a privilege and must conform to all laws, with Northwest policy and with any policies specific to a service or resource.

For more detailed information on University technology policies, click this link to visit the Office of Information Technology website.

Assuring network stability is a priority for Northwest’s Information Technology. Northwest technology and computing policies safeguard the availability of campus shared services and resources, ensuring that approved uses are not negatively impacted or interrupted.

Preserving access to information resources is a community effort that requires each member to act responsibly to protect network performance and stability. Therefore, both the community as a whole and each individual, have an obligation to abide by Northwest’s technology and computing policies to assure network stability and availability. University information technology resources, including bandwidth and IP addresses, belong to Northwest, not to end-users. Northwest’s Information Technology is responsible for managing network resources and allocating bandwidth by application priority to assure network stability and functionality.

Failure to comply with the appropriate use of Northwest’s technology services and resources is in violation of Northwest Computing Policies and jeopardizes the atmosphere of information sharing, the free exchange of ideas and the secure environment of creating and maintaining information property. Members of our community found using information technology services or resources for unethical and unacceptable practices will have violated this policy and are subject to disciplinary proceedings including monetary fines, suspension or loss of system privileges, expulsion from the University, termination of employment and/or legal action as may be deemed appropriate.

 Northwest reserves the right to limit or restrict the use of its information/technology services and resources based on institutional priorities and financial considerations, as well as when it is presented with evidence of an abuse of University policies, contractual agreements, or local, state and federal laws.

Members of the community have an expectation of privacy. If a user is suspected of abusing this policy, their right to privacy may be suspended by the University’s requirement to protect the integrity of its information/technology services and resources. The University, thus, reserves the right to examine material stored on or transmitted through its facilities if there is cause to believe that a local, state or federal law is being broken or the standards for acceptable and ethical use are being violated by a member of the University community.

The University reserves the right to monitor accounts, usage and information stored on or transmitted over its facilities/equipment if there is evidence of a policy violation, illegal or unethical use or viral activity.