Professional Graduate Nursing Student Academic Appeal and Grievance

Purpose

The College of Nursing (CON) is committed to providing all students with a learning environment that is safe, inclusive, and supportive of academic success. Students have the right to appeal academic evaluations in cases in which a student can provide evidence the academic evaluation was prejudiced or capricious. Students also have the right to file a grievance if faculty or staff demonstrate behavior that violates UNMC student policies or if they encounter conditions that adversely impact their ability to successfully complete their program of study.
This policy is for grievances with UNMC faculty or staff members. For grievances that are against non-UNMC faculty members, students are referred to the UNMC student policies item Graduate Student Grievance Resolution Procedure.

Scope

This policy applies to professional graduate students.

Policy

In accordance with Chapter 5 of the Bylaws of the Board of Regents and the ANA Code of Ethics and in order to ensure the protection of students' rights, the CON has established procedures which must be followed for appeals of academic evaluations and reports of grievances.

Academic Appeals

Student grade appeals shall be carried out according to the procedures delineated in Appendix W1 Professional Graduate Nursing Program Academic Appeals.

The college in which a particular course is offered shall have jurisdiction of all appeals by students whose appeal concerns a grade or academic evaluation involving that course. In matters involving a dual-listed course, the college granting admission to the course shall handle any appeal.

An ad-hoc committee will be formed to hear the appeal. In any matter involving an appeal by a student, neither the dean of the college nor the instructor whose grade or evaluation is being questioned nor the assistant dean of the division involved shall serve on the ad-hoc committee handling the appeal.

A nursing student whose grade is under appeal shall be allowed to continue nonclinical academic activities until a decision is made. A student shall be allowed to continue clinical activities in courses which do not have the failed course as a prerequisite.

Grievances

Student grievances shall be carried out according to the procedures delineated in Appendix W2 Professional Graduate Nursing Program Grievance Procedure.

An ad-hoc committee will be formed to hear the grievance. In any matter involving a grievance by a student, neither the dean of the college, the instructor nor the assistant dean of the division involved shall serve on the ad-hoc committee handling the grievance.

Retaliation against anyone involved with a student grievance is strictly prohibited. Incidents of perceived retaliation by students will be referred to the dean for investigation and potential disciplinary action.

Any intentionally false accusations and/or misleading complaints against UNMC faculty, staff, other students, or administrators will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

For guidance on standards of academic integrity and responsible conduct, refer to the NU Student Code of Conduct.