UTMB HANDBOOK OF OPERATING PROCEDURES

Section 7 Student Policies Subject 7.1 Student Services and Activities Policy 7.1.23 SON - Academic Dismissal Appeal Procedures

12/01/95 - Originated 08/26/03 -Reviewed w/ changes - Reviewed w/o changes Student Affairs - Author

SON - Academic Dismissal Appeal Procedures

Audience

The information in this policy is intended for all School of Nursing faculty and students.

Dismissal Appeal Procedures

The student who is being dismissed from the School of Nursing for academic reasons will be mailed a certified letter, return receipt requested. After receiving a letter of dismissal from the undergraduate or graduate Nursing Program Director of the School of Nursing, the student may appeal the decision. by writing to the Associate Dean for Academic Administration within one (1) semester of receipt of the letter. If a failure is due to personal problems, the student is encouraged to resolve these issues before appealing. Failure to appeal in writing within the specified time will nullify the student's right to appeal the dismissal. The Associate Dean for Academic Administration will gather all pertinent information related to the appeal, including written statements from the faculty member who administered the grade, the course coordinator, the Director of the Flexible Option Track, it indicated, and the undergraduate or graduate Program Director. The Associate Dean will then appoint an ad hoc Appeals Committee, to consist of the Associate Dean (who will serve as chair), and three members of the undergraduate or graduate Admissions and Progression Committee. In the event that three members are unable to serve, other faculty members will be asked to serve. A meeting will then be convened to hear the evidence brought by both student and involved faculty. The student and faculty member will be notified in writing of the implementation of the formal appeal procedure and informed of the members serving on the ad hoc Appeals Committee. At a time not to exceed thirty (30) business days from the date of the written appeal request submitted by the student to the Associate Dean, a hearing date will be scheduled convenient to all parties. Should the student question the composition of the Appeals Committee, he/she may request replacement of a member prior to

Dismissal Appeal Procedures (cont’d)

the review of the appeal. This member will be appointed by the Associate Dean to serve only on this particular case. This option is to ensure to the greatest extent possible that no member of the Appeals Committee is biased toward either party involved in the appeal. All documentation pertaining to the appeal procedure will remain confidential. The student’s documentation will be distributed to all parties at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled hearing. The following necessary parties to the hearing shall be present: the Committee members, the appellant, and a recording secretary, who is to be selected by the Committee Chairperson. Additional witnesses may be called by the Chair of the Appeals Panel to present evidence as needed. During the scheduled hearing, the Chairperson holds responsibility for ensuring that the discussion and questions remain germane to the issue. The committee members, having reviewed the pertinent documentation presented, shall have the right to question any party involved in the appeal. The student has the right to have a faculty advisor present during the hearing. Deliberation of the voting members will commence at the close of the exchange of information, after all other individuals have been dismissed from the room. A vote of two thirds (2/3) of the total membership of the Committee is required for a final conclusion. The written conclusion of the Appeals Panel will be sent to the student.

Formal Appeal Process

Should the student not be satisfied with the decision of the Appeals Panel, the appeal may be made to the Dean. The Dean may question any party involved as he or she deems necessary, including any member of the ad hoc Appeals Committee, before reaching a final decision on the matter. The Dean shall present the decision to the student within a reasonable amount of time. The student has the right to request a meeting with the Dean to discuss the appeal. The decision of the Dean shall be final.