Appendices

Western Michigan University, in accordance with the law, prohibits discrimination in the provision of all student instruction, activities, and programs. Discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected disability, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status shall not be tolerated in the determination of eligibility, participation, or grading for any courses or program established for the benefit of students unless otherwise provided by law. 

Students who have inquiries about the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy or about anti-discrimination laws, including Title IX and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or who have complaints of prohibited discrimination, may file their inquiries and complaints with the Office of Institutional Equity, 1220 Adrian Trimpe Building (269)387-6316. 

The Office of Institutional Equity will receive and investigate complaints of prohibited discrimination filed by students and may assist the students in resolving their concerns. The complaint, an oral allegation or charge against the University, an employee(s), or agent, stating prohibited discrimination has occurred, must be filed with the Office of Institutional Equity within 180 days of the alleged prohibited discrimination and/or harassment. 

The finding from the factual investigation is reported to the complainant and the accused, as well as the appropriate University representatives (e.g., Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities). Additional University or other procedures may follow based on the finding. (OIE Sept. 2014) 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a Federal law which states that: (a) a written institutional policy must be established, and (b) a statement of adopted procedures covering the privacy rights of the students must be made available. The law provides that the institution will maintain the confidentiality of student education. 

Western Michigan University accords all the rights under the law to students who are declared independent. No one outside the institution shall have access to, nor will the institution disclose any information from students’ educational records without the written consent of the students, except to personnel within the institution, to officials of other institutions in which students seek to enroll, to persons or organizations providing students financial aid, to accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, and to persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students or other persons. All these exceptions are permitted under the Act. 

Within the Western Michigan University community, only those members, individually or collectively, acting in the students’ educational interest are allowed access to student educational records. These members include faculty, administration, clerical and professional employees, and other persons who manage student record information (e.g., Office of the Registrar, Academic Records Office, Controller, Financial Aid, and the Office of Admissions and Orientation). 

At its discretion, the institution may provide Directory Information in accordance with the provisions of the Act to include: student name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, curriculum and major field of study, dates of attendance, enrollment status (full/part time), degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams. 

Students may withhold Directory Information by notifying the Academic Records Office in writing within the official drop-add period of each semester or session. 

Western Michigan University has established administrative procedures necessary to accomplish and ensure compliance with the Act, specifically including procedures permitting students to inspect and review their educational records and the opportunity for discussion or a hearing if a student challenges any materials in such records. These procedures are outlined in Western Michigan University’s Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. The University Registrar is designated as the officer with responsibility for insuring University compliance with this law.

Western Michigan is dedicated to providing a healthy, comfortable, and productive environment for students, faculty, staff, guests and visitors in accordance with the Michigan Clean Indoor Air Act and the University’s own directives and policies. 

The use of tobacco products is only permitted in enclosed personal vehicles. The use of tobacco products is not permitted indoors or outdoors on any University property. Tobacco products are defined to include the following: cigarettes, electronic-cigarettes, cigars, bidis, snuff, snus, water pipes, pipes, hookahs, chew, any other non-combustible tobacco products, and any/all other vaping materials. 

Approval may be granted for limited tobacco use by an executive level committee consisting of the Provost, VP Business and Finance, the VP Student Affairs as well as consultation with the President. Approval will only be given for activities that are necessary in order to conduct essential University business. Exceptions will be reviewed on an annual basis. 

No student owning or having under their control any animal shall permit such animal to be brought upon the University property without having a leash suitably attached to the animal and with the leash held by the person responsible. Keeping animals, reptiles, or birds in University buildings, except when authorized through University processes or law, is a violation of this policy, and the animals are subject to impoundment.

The name “Western Michigan University” (“WMU”), WMU insignias, signature, seal, athletic marks, etc. (collectively “WMU marks”) belong to WMU. WMU marks may not be utilized in any fund-raising, advertising, marketing, promotional activity or other venture by any student organization, entity or individual without prior written approval from authorized University representatives. Unauthorized use shall subject the user to sanctions, including but not limited to those sanctions set forth in the Student Code and The Registered Student Organization Handbook. 

In 2012, the State of Michigan, to better ensure that minors at medical risk as a result of alcohol intoxication will receive prompt and appropriate medical attention adopted a medical amnesty law to remove perceived barriers to calling for or seeking help. This concept was expanded in 2016 by the “Good Samaritan” law, to include amnesty for controlled substance, including prescription drugs. 

Michigan law continues to prohibit a minor from purchasing, consuming or possessing alcoholic liquor and from having any bodily alcohol content. The 2012 medical amnesty law provides an exemption from prosecution for the following: 

• A minor (under the age of 21) who, after consuming alcohol, voluntarily presents themselves to a health facility or agency for treatment or observation, including medical examination and treatment for any condition as a result of sexual assault (as defined in Michigan law). 
• Any minor (under the age of 21) who accompanied an individual who, after consuming alcohol, voluntarily presented themselves to a health facility or agency for treatment or observation, including medical examination and treatment for any condition as a result of sexual assault (as defined in Michigan law). 
• Any minor (under the age of 21) who initiated contact with law enforcement or emergency medical services personnel for the purpose of obtaining medical assistance in connection with a legitimate health care concern. 

Similarly, Michigan law continues to prohibit the purchase, consumption and possession of controlled substances. The Good Samaritan law of 2016 provides an exemption from prosecution for the following*: 

• Any individual who voluntarily seeks medical assistance for themselves as a result of an overdose of any controlled substance, including a prescription drug. 
• Any individual who accompanies or procures medical assistance for another individual as a result of an overdose of any controlled substance, including a prescription drug. 
• Any individual who as a result of an overdose of any controlled substance, including a prescription drug, is presented for medical assistance by a third party.

*when the amount of the drug possessed is sufficient only for personal use 

In the spirit of Michigan's Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan laws and their goal to remove perceived barriers to calling for or seeking help, Western Michigan University will utilize an alternative (non-conduct) resolution process for incidents in which help is being sought for an alcohol or drug related medical emergency. WMU's alternative resolution process will focus on student/community well being and risk reduction rather than discipline or creation of a student conduct record for alcohol or drug possession/consumption. Students may still be subject to the conduct resolution process for other student conduct violations if, at the discretion of WMU, they are deemed severe and tangentially related to the underlying alcohol or drug related emergency.