Disruptive Behavior
National Louis University shall not tolerate disruptive behavior in a learning or university environment convened by a faculty or staff member.
Disruptive behavior by a university student is defined as any act which denies others the freedom to speak, to be heard, to study, to teach or pursue research. This applies to inside or outside of the classroom or event. Such behavior is antithetical to academic freedom and to the rights of all members of the academic and university community.
Initial situations of mildly disruptive behavior shall be managed informally by a faculty or staff member based upon that individual's personal judgment at the time. However, if disruptive behavior progresses or is of a serious nature in its initial form, the formal procedure shall be as follows:
- First Instance: An instance of disruptive behavior shall result in an immediate oral and public warning by the faculty/staff member and documented via the student’s electronic file not viewable by the student.
- Second Instance: A subsequent instance may result in the expulsion of the student for the remainder of the class period or event by the faculty or staff member. This action will also be documented in the student’s electronic file, under the Notes section. Continued disruptive behavior may result in the expulsion of the student from the course, event or field/cluster group.
- Written Notification and Incident Report: A statement explaining the reason for expulsion shall be provided in writing by the faculty or staff member to the student, the chairperson of his/her major department or program, the chairperson of the department or program in which the course is offered, the Registrar, and other relevant staff. An Incident Report shall also be submitted through the nl.edu/letusknow website in order to initiate the NLU Student Conduct Process.
- The disciplinary actions listed in Paragraph #3, hereinabove, may be appealed by the student in accordance with the provisions of the Student Guidebook and Student Code of Conduct.
In addition, disruptive behavior which constitutes a threat to persons and/or property will require immediately notifying Campus Safety and a Let Us Know report submitted to refer the case to the Office of Community Standards for adjudication and disciplinary sanction in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Any sanctions imposed may be appealed only through the appeals process contained in the Student Guidebook and Student Code of Conduct.
Cases of imminent danger to life and property shall be referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities by calling 9-1-1 and notifying Campus Safety.
The above provisions notwithstanding, parties are encouraged to resolve matters relating to disruptive behavior amicably whenever possible. In addition, all parties are urged to document for their own records all matters relative to the purview of this policy.