Dean of Students

A variety of student services and programs are available through the Dean of Students Office.  Services and programs offered by the Dean of Students Office are:

• serving as a general source of information for students and providing a referral service to other university departments and community programs and agencies

• providing assistance to students who need help resolving a variety of problems

• withdrawal from the university (processing necessary forms for students who leave the university prior to the end of a semester)

• communication (emergency message services and informational brochures)

• coordination of the student conduct program (student judicial system)

• coordination of the Americans with Disabilities Act

• Commuter and Nontraditional Student Services

• off-campus housing assistance (rental listings, tenant counseling, informational brochures and forms, and roommate networking services)

• transportation (bus schedules, car pool networks, and zip code lists)

• child care information (information and referral services for child care providers, baby sitter listing, and directory assistance for child care centers)

• Disability Services

• Diversity Student Services

• publication of the Student Handbook, which includes the Student Code, Rights and Responsibilities, as well as other policies and related documents

• advisement of the Student Finance Committee and supervision of the Student Activity Fee Fund

• special programs and projects

Policies and Regulations

Northern Michigan University endeavors to establish policies and regulations which ensure that the living and learning environment of the academic community is free from disruption. The University attempts to establish procedures, practices, and processes which assist in the orderly pursuit of the mission of the institution. Within the documents contained in this publication are many of the policies and regulations which govern student life at the University. Additional policies may be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin, Graduate Bulletin, Motor Vehicle Ordinances, University Ordinances, Administrative Policies Manual, Student Organization Handbook, and Financial Aid Rights and Responsibilities publications. Copies of these publications are available in the Dean of Students Office.

Complaints, Exceptions, and Appeals

The university also recognizes that some complaints and grievances will inevitably arise. To address these, the university has created procedures for students to register complaints and grievances and receive a reasoned response to the issues which they bring forward.

A number of processes for resolution of specific issues are provided in existing policies and regulations. Students are expected to initiate such processes directly, when possible.  The Student Handbook can provide students with the steps required to revolve a specific problem.  In those instances where no formal resolution process has been established, or it is unclear what process applies to a given circumstance, the Complaint Other Than Grades section of the Student Rights and Responsibilities document will govern resolution.  Any questions about the application of this process or the appropriate process to resolve any complaint or appeal, should be directed to the Dean of Students office.