Parent FAQs

1. Is the campus safe?

Northland College is a close-knit community of learners and educators and takes pride in its exceptional record of campus safety. Midwest Patrol provides service to Northland College and responds to all campus safety calls Monday through Friday between noon and 7:00 a.m. with 24-hour coverage on the weekends. Between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday, college maintenance staff responds to campus safety calls. Campus safety or maintenance staff are also available to escort students across campus 24/7.

2. What does Northland offer in the way of Health Services?

Northland encourages students to taking responsibility for their own health, and offers services through the campus Health Center. The Health Center is staffed by a licensed nurse practitioner from the Main Street Clinic in Ashland.

3. What do students do outside of class?

Northland College is surrounded by one million acres of natural forest and on the shores of Lake Superior. These natural resources provide both an enriching classroom and an exhilarating outdoor playground. Students conducting water quality surveys on one of the many inland lakes during the week may return to the same lakes for a weekend fishing or canoeing getaway. Many students take an occasional weekend trip to Duluth or Minneapolis for sporting events, musical performances or other cultural experiences that a larger city offers. The Chequamegon Bay offers a variety of organizations that compliment a wide variety of personal interests. Students interested in community service may volunteer with the local senior assistance program. Students interested in hunting or fishing might plan a weekend trip to one of the national forests or world-famous lakes. The surrounding communities offer cafes, community theaters and art galleries for the days when students want to get out by staying in.

4. What do students do and where do they go after graduation from Northland College?

From graduate school at the United Nations Mandated University for Peace and Conflict Studies, to facilitating adaptive skiing in Colorado, a Northland education prepares students for a limitless future. Northland graduates have gone on to become veterinarians, teachers, public radio personalities, actors, water quality scientists and environmental lobbyists. For more information, please visit our Outcomes page.

5. Are students allowed to have cars on campus their first year?

Yes, although students are encouraged to either not bring a car or limit their driving to maintain a lower carbon footprint while at the College. Students are able to get around the city of Ashland by walking, riding a bicycle, or taking public transportation, which is free to students.

6. How do students coordinate travel to and from the campus?

There is a rides board, located in the Craig A. Ponzio Campus Center, a centrally located space where students can post a need for a ride or can offer a ride to other students. Students can also talk with their RHD/RA, classmates, friends or members of the clubs or sports to which they belong to see if anyone else is traveling in the same direction at the same time. They can make arrangements through a taxi service or with a transport service.

7. What academic support services do you offer?

When a student arrives at Northland, they will be paired with a full-time faculty member who serves as their academic advisor. Advising is on-going process of helping new students clarify and evaluate their academic plans and goals. Students are free to change advisors to better fit their changing interests and needs following their first year. Student tutors offer assistance in a wide range of subjects, and maintain regular hours. Northland faculty members maintain regular office hours and offer assistance via e-mail and phone conversations outside of class.

8. What are the orientation requirements for new students?

All incoming students are required to participate in a 5- or 12-day trip that serves as the cornerstone for their college experience. The orientation to the community continues through the first eight weeks of new student’s fall semester with the First Year Experience (FYE). The FYE gets new students started on the right path by connecting them to the people, programs and activities that will assist them in their first year at Northland. Students involved with the FYE may participate in a local community service project, environmental stewardship activities, or leadership activities. Students will also have the opportunity to be introduced to lifelong learning through their choices of workshops on photography, ceramics, dancing, yoga and more.

9. What housing options are available?

Where do most new students live? Involvement in campus life is an essential part of a comprehensive education. Living on campus at Northland College is an excellent way for students to be involved, to learn about themselves and how to live with other people, all while enjoying the benefits of life in a community of caring individuals. Students who hold freshmen or sophomore standing are required to live on campus in one of the five residential halls, in one of the eight townhouse apartments, or in one of five theme communities. For more information about housing at Northland, please visit the on-campus housing page.