CON Professional Graduate Nursing Program Academic Appeals Procedure

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Appendices

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER COLLEGE OF NURSING
Professional Graduate Nursing Program Academic Appeals Procedure	Subsection: Appendix W1
Section 5.0 - Appendices	Originating Date: May 2013
Responsible Reviewing Agency: Professional Graduate Nursing Affairs Committee	Revised: October 2014 Revised: May 2015 Revised: May 2016 Revised: March 2018 Revised: March 2023
Related documents: Chapter 5 of the Bylaws of the Board of Regents 5.3.12 Professional Graduate Nursing Student Academic Appeal and Grievance Policy

Purpose

Under the provision in Bylaws of the Board of Regents, UNMC and College of Nursing (CON), students may appeal academic evaluations they believe are prejudiced or capricious. This appendix provides the procedure for these appeals.

Scope

This applies to professional graduate students. The guidelines for appeals of academic evaluations shown below do not pertain to CON PhD students. The appropriate procedures are contained in the Graduate Studies Academic and Grade Appeals Policies and Procedures at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Definitions

University Day: The term “University Day” means a weekday on which the campus offices are open. Check the academic calendar on the campus website to determine the days on which the campus offices are closed.

Email Address of Record: The term “Email Address of Record” means the student’s University assigned email address. Because important notices may be sent to students by email, it is extremely important that students make sure they check that email regularly.

Appeals of Academic Evaluations

Informal Appeal

1. Immediately after receiving a grade or evaluation which a student believes is unfair, the student should discuss the matter directly with the faculty member involved. Faculty and students reserve the right to record any meeting that discusses these topics or have a third-party present to take notes regarding the meeting, with both parties having given consent and are aware of the recording. Factors such as misinterpretation of scoring, mathematical calculation, or other factors should be objectively discussed so that both faculty and student conclude the discussion with an understanding of the nature of the issue at hand.
2. After meeting with a student regarding a grade or evaluation challenge, faculty maintain the right to retain or change an evaluation.
3. After the meeting, if the student believes that an evaluation has been rendered in a prejudiced or capricious manner, the student may discuss the concern with their faculty advisor, specialty coordinator or program director. The role of faculty advisor, specialty coordinator, or program director is one of neutral objective information sharing and consultation.
4. If no resolution is reached, the student will be referred to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs (ADAP).
5. If no resolution is reached in the meeting with the ADAP, the student will be counseled on the formal appeal procedure. The student may then seek a formal appeal of the evaluation.