Northwestern University in Qatar

Rights and Responsibilities of the Northwestern Community

Becoming a member of the Northwestern University community is an honor, a privilege that carries with it prestige and respect. The University affords students a number of rights that are fundamental to membership in our shared community, but along with these privileges and rights, membership also requires students to meet and uphold community standards.

Remaining a member of the Northwestern community requires a student to continuously comply with rules and regulations governing students’ academic progress, social interactions and personal behavior. Remember that "student status at Northwestern is a privilege earned by meeting standards of academic performance and adherence to regulations governing conduct.”

University-enacted policies are found in several sources, including but not limited to the Northwestern University in Qatar Catalog, the University’s website, the Office of Student Conduct, and notices disseminated from time to time by the University or its schools and departments, and – of course – the myNUQ website.

The exercise of individual rights by students and other members of the Northwestern community may not abridge the following rights, subject, in appropriate circumstances, to the University’s right to take actions to protect the health and safety of the University community, and its members, guests and visitors.

1. The right of a faculty or staff member to exclude from a classroom or other University premises, during the progress of a class or other University-sponsored program or activity, persons not enrolled in the class or other unauthorized persons.
2. The right to privacy of a student or faculty or staff member in his or her office or other work area.
3. The right of the University to take actions reasonably determined to secure the rights outlined above and to assure that students, faculty, and staff may pursue their legitimate goals on University premises or at University functions without interference.

Policy Statement on Student Rights and Responsibilities

At Northwestern University, life outside the classroom is an integral part of the educational process. The exercise of responsibility is an important part of the development of the full potential of the student as an individual and as a citizen. The student’s awareness of the extent of his or her rights and responsibilities is necessary to the exercise of
responsibility within the University community. To further these objectives and in recognition of students as members of the Northwestern University community, the University has adopted the following statement of policy.

This policy statement has been formulated in a spirit of cooperation and community by representatives of students, faculty, and administration. It is a living document and thus is subject to change through participation of representatives of the same groups who participated in the original formulation. That said, students are also subject to federal state, and local laws, including the laws of the State of Qatar. Within this framework, students have guaranteed rights, but the exercise of those rights may not interfere with the rights of others in the University community.

1. Northwestern University does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, or genetic information in matters of admissions, employment, housing, or services or in the educational programs or activities it operates.
2. The student has freedom of research, of legitimate classroom discussion, and of the advocacy of alternative opinions to those presented in the classroom.
3. The student will be evaluated on knowledge and academic performance for purposes of granting academic credit and not on the basis of personal or political beliefs.
4. The teacher-student relationship within the classroom is confidential, and disclosures of a student’s personal or political beliefs expressed in connection with course work will not be made public without explicit permission of the student. It is understood that the teacher may undertake the usual evaluation of knowledge and academic performance.
5. Students’ records may be released to persons outside the University only on request of the student or through compliance with applicable laws.
6. Information on rules, rates, and regulations deriving from contractual agreements with the University will be made available to students on request.
7. Students have a right to be secure in their possessions provided that the items they possess are not in violation of the law or a University policy. The University will not unreasonably search or take possession of students’ belongings.
8. Students will be free from censorship in the publication and dissemination of their views as long as these are not represented as the views of Northwestern University and do not violate any University policies.
9. A student is free, individually or in association with other individuals, to engage in all campus activities, exercising the right of a citizen of the community, state, and nation, provided he or she does not in any way purport to represent the University.
10. Students are free to use campus facilities for meetings of recognized student organizations, subject to policies as to time and manner governing the facility.
11. It is recognized that every member of the community has the responsibility to conduct him or herself in a manner that does not violate the rights and freedoms of others and has the responsibility to recognize the principles within this statement of policy.
    
    

Student Responsibilities

The responsibilities of individual students include:

1. Compliance with University regulations as set forth in the NU-Q Student Handbook, other official University publications, and federal, state and local laws. These regulations and laws include, but are not limited to, assaults, theft, damage to personal or University property, sexual assault, sexual or other forms of harassment, alcohol offenses, drug-related offenses, gambling, motor vehicle violations, unauthorized access to buildings or property of the University and resisting or obstructing a police or security officer in the performance of his or her duties.
2. Cooperation with University and Qatar Foundation officials, including Qatar Foundation security officials, acting in their official capacity within established guidelines. Students are required to provide identification when asked and surrender, upon request, their University Identification card until the incident under investigation is resolved.