Student Code of Conduct Procedures
Students enroll at Northern Arizona University with the explicit understanding that they must abide by the University’s rules, regulations and policies, and that violating these mandates may result in disciplinary sanctions up to and including the temporary loss (suspension) or the permanent loss (expulsion) of the privilege of membership in the Northern Arizona University community.
The University’s Student Code of Conduct Procedures are designed to allow for neutral fact-finding and decision-making in the context of an educational community that encourages reasoned discourse, intellectual honesty, openness to constructive change and respect for individual rights. The intent is to encourage students to accept responsibility for their own actions while providing appropriate procedural safeguards to protect student and student organization rights and freedoms and the legitimate interests of the University, which include maintaining order and stability.
For acts that constitute violations of law and University policy, students may be accountable to both civil authorities (city, county, state or federal) and to the University. The University’s student investigative and disciplinary processes may proceed before, during or after the pendency of criminal proceedings. These disciplinary procedures are administrative in nature, are not legal proceedings, and are separate from and independent of any action taken by law enforcement.
Student conduct cases involving allegations of general violations of the Student Code of Conduct (or other applicable student conduct policy) will be investigated and resolved according to the University’s Student Code of Conduct Procedures. Allegations of conduct violations involving sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of prohibited sexual misconduct will be investigated and resolved according to the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Title IX and the Title IX Coordinator
Title IX is the primary federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities operated by recipients of federal financial assistance, which includes Northern Arizona University and virtually all institutions of higher education in the United States. Under Title IX, sexual or gender-based harassment, which includes acts of sexual violence and other forms of sexual misconduct, is considered a form of prohibited sex discrimination. Title IX states:
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights enforces Title IX. Under Title IX and its implementing regulations, every educational institution must appoint a “Title IX Coordinator” who is charged with monitoring the institution’s overall compliance with this important law. Northern Arizona University’s Title IX Coordinator is:
Elyce C. Morris
Title IX Coordinator
Office for the Resolution of Sexual Misconduct (ORSM): Title IX Institutional Compliance, Prevention & Response
Gammage, Third Floor
Phone: 928-523-5434
Email: TitleIX@nau.edu
The Title IX Coordinator is available to meet with any student to discuss the University’s policy and procedures related to sex discrimination, any concern about the University’s compliance with Title IX or its related obligations, or whether the University is properly investigating and resolving a specific allegation of prohibited conduct or taking the required steps to eliminate a hostile environment.