CON Undergraduate Disciplinary Action Committee Procedural Flow Sheet: Difference between revisions

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         <td width="60%">'''<big>Undergraduate Disciplinary Action Committee* Procedural Flow Sheet</big><br /><small>(NOT intended as a substitute for policy in Student Handbook)</small>'''</td>
         <td width="60%">'''<big>Undergraduate Disciplinary Action Committee* Procedural Flow Sheet</big><br /><small>(NOT intended as a substitute for policy in Student Handbook)</small>'''</td>
         <td width="40%"><big>Subsection: '''Appendix K'''</big></td>
         <td valign="top" width="40%"><big>Subsection: '''Appendix K'''</big></td>
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         <td width="60%">Section - Information</td>
         <td width="60%">Section - Appendices</td>
         <td width="40%">Originating Date: October, 2003</td>
         <td width="40%">Originating Date: [[CON Undergraduate Disciplinary Action Committee Procedural Flow Sheet version October 2003|October 2003]]</td>
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         <td width="60%">Responsible Reviewing Agency:<br /><div style="margin-left:3em; line-height:1.2;">Undergraduate Admission, Progression, Graduation and Scholarship/Grant Committee</div></td>
         <td valign="top" width="60%">Responsible Reviewing Agency:<br /><div style="margin-left:3em; line-height:1.2;">Undergraduate Admission, Progression, Graduation and Scholarship/Grant Committee</div></td>
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                 <td>&nbsp;</td>
                 <td>Revised: [[CON Undergraduate Disciplinary Action Committee Procedural Flow Sheet version January 2018|January 2018]]<br />Repealed: April 2020</td>
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     <td valign="top"><small>J:/RESOURCE MANUAL/Table of Contents College of Nursing Resource Manual</small></td>
     <td colspan="2" valign="top">Related documents:<br /><div style="margin-left:3em; line-height:1.2;">&nbsp;</div></td>
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<br />
<br />
====Actions====
===Procedure for Imposition of Disciplinary Action – '''Faculty'''===
<ol>
<table style="max-width:70em !important;">
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">Faculty member identifies a breach of professional behavior by a student requiring disciplinary action. Student is informed by faculty and has an opportunity to explain the incident.</li>
<tr>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">Faculty member decides to proceed with disciplinary action (choices include 1: Written Reprimand; 2: Grade Adjustment; 3: Disciplinary Probation (for a specified period of time); 4: Suspension (for a prescribed period of time); and 5: Expulsion. Faculty member must inform the Undergraduate Associate Dean of the CON, and inform the Dean of the CON in writing of the charge against the student, supporting evidence, and action proposed.</li>
<td width="33%">&nbsp;</td>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">Undergraduate Associate Dean of the CON informs chair of the Academic Review Committee of the possibility of a hearing and the campus involved. Chair of the Academic Review committee identifies potential members and chair of the Hearing Board.</li>
<td align="center"><h3>Suspected Breach of Professional Behavior</h3></td>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">Deans office sends a copy of the faculty member’s written complaint and proposed disciplinary action to the student by certified mail (requiring addressee’s signature), hand delivery to student (if feasible), and regular mail. This letter also advises the student of the right of appeal, right to continue to attend classes during the appeal process (if applicable), and when the student could apply for readmission (if expulsion). Included in this mailing is a list of all documents included in the mailing.  This list MUST be signed by the student, confirming that all listed documents were received, and returned to the Chair of the Academic Review Committee within two weeks, indicating receipt of the materials and whether or not the student wishes to appeal the disciplinary action. The appeals process cannot proceed until this signed form is received by the Chair of the Academic Review Committee.</li>
<td width="33%">&nbsp;</td>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">5. If the student does not agree with the disciplinary action proposed in the Dean’s letter, he or she must first discuss the matter with the faculty member involved.</li>
</tr>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">6. If the student and faculty member do not reach agreement on the issues, the student may, within two weeks of the receipt of the written notice from the Dean’s office, submit an appeal in writing to the Chair of the Academic Review Committee. If another member of this Committee will chair the hearing board, the Chair will forward the materials immediately to the chair of the hearing board. The student must also submit a copy of the appeal to the Dean of the CON. Upon receipt of the student’s appeal document, the Dean will send to the chair of the hearing board a copy of all materials sent to the student, including the faculty’s charges, supporting evidence, and student’s right of appeal.</li>
</table>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">7. Hearing board chair will forward copies of the student’s appeal materials to the members of the hearing board and to the faculty involved. At this time, the chair of the hearing board must request from the faculty member(s) a written statement setting forth his or her response to the student’s appeal document, including his or her version of the facts relating to the alleged disciplinary breach.</li>
<table style="max-width:70em !important;">
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">8. When the Hearing Board Chair receives the faculty’s version of events, the full statement and any related documents must be promptly furnished to the student using all forms of mail delivery outlined in above #4.</li>
<tr>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">9. The hearing board may also request clarification in writing from either the student or faculty member, and any such statements of clarification received by the board must be promptly shared with the faculty and the student. If the faculty and/or student have retained legal counsel, the Hearing Board Chair should consult with the attorney for the Hearing Board before sharing copies of materials with student’s counsel.</li>
    <td valign="top" width="50%">
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">10. The chair of the hearing board will give reasonable notice to the student and faculty of the date, time, and place of the scheduled hearing. The chair will also ask the student and faculty if witnesses are desired, and obtain from student/faculty the witnesses’ telephone numbers and addresses. Witnesses are then invited to attend and provided with the date, time, and place of the hearing. The hearing board has no subpoena powers and cannot compel the attendance or testimony of witnesses, but will invite any witnesses requested by the faculty and/or student.</li>
        <ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">'''Faculty:'''
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">11. The hearing board may rule on the case on the basis of the written evidence submitted (in cases of written reprimand, grade adjustment, or probation) unless the student or faculty member has asked to appear personally before the hearing board. However, until further clarification of the policy from the NU Board of Regents and UNMC, faculty bringing charges MUST appear at a hearing scheduled to review the charges. The student may appear, if desired, to testify, present evidence, and hear and question witnesses. Witnesses and advisors (if the hearing board has received notification of the advisor’s name 24 hours before the hearing is scheduled) may be present but unless the chair of the hearing board permits may not directly question witnesses or otherwise participate in the proceedings. The hearing board should request University counsel for advisement during the process of planning for the hearing and may request that counsel be present during the hearing. </li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Confirms breach</li>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">12. In the event the disciplinary action proposed is suspension or expulsion of the student, the hearing board shall conduct a hearing to hear all evidence, hear and question witnesses, and both the student and faculty shall testify and present evidence. Therefore, the student and faculty shall be present before the hearing board. Legal counsel shall be present to advise the board. The student may have an advisor/counselor present at his or her own expense. Any witnesses may also be assisted by an advisor at their own expense. The chair of the hearing board must be notified of advisors names 24 hours before the hearing is scheduled in order for the advisor to be present. The board, faculty, student, and their advisors may hear testimony and question witnesses. No evidence shall be admitted which would not be admitted in a state court criminal proceeding by reason of the method or manner in which it was acquired; therefore, legal counsel shall be present. The burden of proof rests with the faculty member bringing the charge. Findings or recommendations of the board shall be based solely on the evidence introduced at the hearing. The chair shall ensure that all present are treated fairly and no witness is intimidated or harassed.<br /><br />(Note to chair of hearing board: During the hearing, testimony from both faculty and student should involve review of all relevant documents already received. In this way, these materials become “evidence introduced at the hearing”).</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Reviews syllabus to determine range of disciplinary actions available</li>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">13. At any time prior to the hearing, the student may examine all his/her (official) school files.</li>
            <li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">Consults with Division Assistant Dean and Program Director to share data and proposed disciplinary action</li>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">14. The hearing board shall appoint some person (board member, staff member, court stenographer) to keep minutes of board proceedings and maintain a verbatim account of the hearing. The student may record the hearing at personal expense. The student may have access to the official record of the hearing.  (At present, the NU and UNMC policies on verbatim recording of proceedings are inconsistent.  Until these inconsistencies are resolved verbatim recording should occur for all hearings, not just those involving suspension or expulsion, unless the hearing board is advised otherwise by legal counsel.)</li>
        </ul>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">15. The student may maintain status as a student and attend classes while the charge is pending, unless in the opinion of the Dean or hearing board the student’s continued presence constitutes immediate harm or the likelihood of immediate harm to the student or others. This could mean that the student may attend classes but not clinical, depending on the judgment of the Dean or hearing board.</li>
    </td>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">16. At the conclusion of the investigation/hearing, within ten working days, the hearing board shall determine whether the disciplinary charges against the student have been sustained by the weight of the evidence.</li>
    <td valign="middle" align="center" width="20%">[[File:arrow_right_horizontal.png|150px]]</td>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">17. If the hearing board finds by a majority vote taken by secret ballot that the charges have not been sustained, the board submits its report and conclusions to the Dean, the faculty member instituting the charge, and the student, and the charges are dismissed. In the event of a tie vote, the charges will be dismissed. If the charges are dismissed, the student shall be reinstated and given reasonable opportunity to make up any missed academic work. In the event that the hearing board decides conditions of subsequent conduct by the student, these shall be communicated to the student and the reinstatement shall be subject to these conditions.</li>
    <td valign="top" width="30%"><ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:60em !important;">'''Disciplinary action options (be consistent with syllabus):'''
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">18. If the hearing board finds that some or all of the charges have been sustained by the weight of the evidence, the board shall submit its report and conclusions (with supporting rationale**) to the Dean, the faculty member initiating the charge, and the student. The report shall be accompanied by the decision of the board as to the disciplinary action to be invoked (Written Reprimand; Grade Adjustment; Disciplinary Probation; Suspension; Expulsion), and shall include notice to the student of the further right of appeal. This decision is considered final unless within 10 working days after receipt of its decision, the student submits in writing an appeal to the Dean setting forth reasons for believing that the findings are in error or that the disciplinary action prescribed is unfair or unreasonable.<br /><br />**Note to hearing board chair: sufficient detail to support decisions and recommendations should be included in the final report.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Written reprimand</li>
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">19. After completion of the activities of a hearing board on any given appeal, all pertinent records are to be transferred to the office of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs. The records will then be kept on file for four years, after which they will be disposed of in a confidential manner.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Grade adjustment</li>
</ol>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Disciplinary probation (specify time period)</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Suspension (specify time period)</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Expulsion</li>
</ul>
    </td>
</tr>
<tr>
    <td align="center">[[File:arrow_down_vertical.png|150px]]</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
    <td>
'''Faculty member will inform the dean, in writing, of the:'''
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">
<li style="margin-left:30px;">Charge against the student</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Supporting evidence</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Action proposed</li>
</ul>
    </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
</table>
<!--
<p>'''Faculty:'''</p>
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">Confirms breach</li>
    <li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">Reviews syllabus to determine range of disciplinary actions available</li>
    <li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">Consults with Division Assistant Dean and Program Director to share data and proposed disciplinary action</li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:60em !important;">Disciplinary action options (be consistent with syllabus):
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Written reprimand</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Grade adjustment</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Disciplinary probation (specify time period)</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Suspension (specify time period)</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Expulsion</li>
</ul>
-->
<p>'''Note:'''</p>
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">
<li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">If the student agrees with the disciplinary action, and the disciplinary action results in a change of status for the student, the faculty member will notify student services of the change in status.</li>
    <li style="margin-bottom:15px; margin-left:30px;">If the student disagrees with the proposed disciplinary action and requests a meeting with the faculty member, the faculty member may ask the Assistant Dean to be present for the meeting.</li>
</ul>
 
===Procedure for Imposition of Disciplinary Action – '''Dean'''===
<table style="max-width:70em !important;" width="100%">
<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><h3>Dean will review materials sent</h3></td></tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%">[[File:arrow-left.png|150px]]</td>
    <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="center" width="45%">[[File:arrow-right.png|150px]]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<ul>If in agreement, will
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Send a letter to the student notifying them of the:
        <ul>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Complaint</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">Disciplinary action</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">Right of appeal</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">Right to continue to attend classes during the appeal process (unless the student’s presence constitutes immediate harm or the likelihood of immediate harm to the student or others; this could mean the student may attend classes but not clinical, depending on the judgement of the Dean or hearing board)</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">Time frame when the student could apply for readmission (if expulsion)</li>
            </ul>
        </li>
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">Attachments to be included are:
        <ul>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">A copy of the faculty member’s written complaint</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">Disciplinary action proposed for the student</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">List of all documents included in the mailing
<ul>
                    <li style="margin-left:30px;">The list must be signed by the student, confirming that all listed documents were received</li>
                        <li style="margin-left:30px;">Signed list, along with indication of student’s intent to appeal, must be returned to the Chair of the Academic Review Committee within 2 weeks</li>
                    </ul>
                </li>
            </ul>
        </li>
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">Letter and attachments should be sent by:
        <ul>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Certified mail (requiring addressee’s signature)</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">UNMC email (with a read receipt requested)</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">Hand delivery to student (if feasible)</li>
            </ul>
        </li>
    </ul>
   
    </td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left" valign="top">
    <ul style="margin-bottom:40px;">If not in agreement, will
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">Discuss with faculty, division assistant dean and program director</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">When agreement is reached, process will continue as usual</li>
        </ul>
        <!-- <br /><br /> -->
        <ul>If the student chooses to appeal, he or she will send a copy of their appeal letter to the dean. The dean will then send to the Chair of the Academic Review Committee a copy of all materials sent to the student, including:
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">Faculty charges</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Supporting evidence</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Student’s right of appeal</li>
        </ul>
    </td>
</tr>
</table>
<br />
 
===Procedure for Imposition/Appeal of Disciplinary Action – '''Student'''===
<ul>Student receives:
<li style="margin-left:30px;">Letter from Dean</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Attachments, which include:
    <ul>
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">Copy of the faculty member’s written complaint</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Disciplinary action proposed for the student</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">List of all documents included in the mailing
            <ul>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">The list must be signed by the student, confirming that all listed documents were received</li>
                    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Signed list, along with indication of student’s intent to appeal, must be returned to the Chair of the Academic Review Committee within 2 weeks</li>
                </ul>
            </li>
        </ul>
    </li>
</ul>
 
<table style="max-width:70em !important;" width="100%">
<tr>
<td align="center" width="25%">[[File:arrow-left.png|150px]]</td>
    <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="center" width="70%">[[File:arrow-right.png|150px]]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">If student agrees with the disciplinary action proposed in the Dean’s letter, the action is imposed and the issue is closed.
<ul>A student has the right to:
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">Examine his/her official school files at any time.</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Record the hearing at personal expense</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Have access to the official record of the hearing.</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Have legal counsel, student counselor or advocate assist them in the process</li>
        </ul>
    </td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td valign="top">
    <ul>If the student disagrees with the disciplinary action proposed, the student must:
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">Discuss the matter with the faculty member involved</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">If no agreement is reached with the faculty member, the student may, within 2 weeks of receiving the Dean’s letter, submit an appeal, in writing, to the Chair of the Academic Review Committee with a copy to the Dean.</li>
        </ul>
    </td>
</tr>
</table>
<br />
 
===Procedure for Appeal of Disciplinary Action – '''Hearing Board'''===
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">Chair will receive:
<li style="margin-left:30px;">Signed list for materials included in communication from the student within 2 weeks of receipt of letter from dean</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Letter of intent to appeal from the student within 2 weeks of receipt of disciplinary action letter from dean</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Disciplinary action materials from the dean’s office if student is appealing the disciplinary action</li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">Chair will:
<li style="margin-left:30px;">Forward to the faculty member(s) involved a copy of all student appeal documents</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Request a written statement from the faculty involved setting forth his/her response to the student’s appeal document, including his/her version of the facts related to the alleged disciplinary breach</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Send the faculty’s version of events, the full statement, and any related documents to the student using all forms of mail delivery outlined in the dean’s directions.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Forward copies of all appeal materials to the members of the hearing board.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Appoint some person (board member, staff member, court stenographer) to keep minutes of board proceedings and maintain a verbatim account of the hearing.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">Hearing board:
<li style="margin-left:30px;">May request clarification, in writing, from either the student or faculty</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Any statements of clarification received by the board must be promptly shared with the other party</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Will, within 10 working days of the conclusion of the investigation/hearing, determine whether the disciplinary charges against the student have been sustained by the weight of the evidence.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Will take a vote by secret ballot. If the board finds:
<ul style="max-width:67em !important;">
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">By a majority vote that the charges have not been sustained, the board shall submit its report and conclusions to the Dean, the faculty member instituting the charge, and the student, and the charges are dismissed.</li>
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">A tie vote, the charges will be dismissed.</li>
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">By a majority vote that some or all of the charges have been sustained by the weight of the evidence, the board shall submit its report and conclusions (with supporting rationale [including sufficient detail to support decisions and recommendations]) to the Dean, the faculty member initiating the charge, and the student. The report shall be accompanied by the decision of the board as to the disciplinary action to be invoked:
        <ul style="max-width:67em !important;">
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Written Reprimand</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">Grade Adjustment</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">Disciplinary Probation</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">Suspension</li>
                <li style="margin-left:30px;">Expulsion</li>
            </ul>
        </li>
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">The charges have been sustained, the board will include notice to the student of the further right of appeal.</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">The decision will be considered final unless within 10 working days after receipt of its decision, the student submits, in writing, an appeal to the Dean setting forth reasons for believing the findings are in error or that the disciplinary action prescribed is unfair or unreasonable.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">Notes:
<li style="margin-left:30px;">If the faculty or student have retained legal counsel, the Hearing Board chair should consult with the attorney for the Hearing Board before sharing copies of the materials with the student’s counsel.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">The chair shall give reasonable notice to the student and faculty of the date, time, and place of the scheduled hearing.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">The chair will ask the student and faculty if witnesses are desired. If yes, obtain the witnesses’ contact information and invite them to attend.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">A list of witnesses and/or advisors must be provided to the chair of the committee no less than 24 hours before the scheduled hearing. Contact information for any witness or advisor must be submitted with the list of names.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">After completion of the activities of a hearing board on any given appeal, all pertinent records are to be transferred to the office of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs. The records will be kept on file for four years, after which they will be disposed of in a confidential manner.</li>
</ul>
 
===Procedure for Appeal of Disciplinary Action – '''Hearing'''===
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">In cases of '''written reprimand, grade adjustment, or probation''':
<li style="margin-left:30px;">The hearing board may rule on the basis of the written evidence submitted, unless the faculty or student has asked to appear personally before the board.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">The student may appear, if desired, to testify, present evidence, and hear and question witnesses.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Witnesses and advisors may be present, but unless the chair of the hearing board permits, may not directly question witnesses or otherwise participate in the proceedings.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">The hearing board should request University counsel for advisement during the process of planning for the hearing and may request that counsel be present during the hearing.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">In cases of '''suspension or expulsion''':
<li style="margin-left:30px;">The hearing board shall conduct a hearing to:
    <ul style="max-width:67em !important;">
        <li style="margin-left:30px;">Hear all evidence.</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Hear and question witnesses.</li>
            <li style="margin-left:30px;">Have both the student and faculty present to testify and give evidence.</li>
        </ul>
    </li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Legal counsel shall be present to advise the board.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">The student and any witnesses may have advisors/counselors present at their own expense; the chair must be notified of advisors/counselors and their contact information at least 24 hours in advance.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">The Board, faculty, student, and their advisors may hear testimony and question witnesses. </li>
</ul>
 
===Procedure for Appeal of Disciplinary Action – '''Evidence'''===
<ul style="margin-bottom:15px; max-width:67em !important;">
<li style="margin-left:30px;">No evidence shall be admitted which would not be admitted in a state court criminal proceeding by reason of the method or manner in which it was acquired; therefore legal counsel will be present.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">The burden of proof rests with the faculty member bringing the charge; evidence must substantiate the charge.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">Findings or recommendations of the Board shall be based solely on the evidence introduced at the hearing.</li>
    <li style="margin-left:30px;">During the hearing, testimony from both faculty and the student should involve review of all relevant documents already received. This way, these materials become “evidence introduced at the hearing.”</li>
</ul>

Latest revision as of 13:35, April 27, 2020

Home   Appendices                    


UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Undergraduate Disciplinary Action Committee* Procedural Flow Sheet
(NOT intended as a substitute for policy in Student Handbook)
Subsection: Appendix K
Section - Appendices Originating Date: October 2003
Responsible Reviewing Agency:
Undergraduate Admission, Progression, Graduation and Scholarship/Grant Committee
Revised: January 2018
Repealed: April 2020
Related documents:
 


Procedure for Imposition of Disciplinary Action – Faculty

 

Suspected Breach of Professional Behavior

 
    Faculty:
  • Confirms breach
  • Reviews syllabus to determine range of disciplinary actions available
  • Consults with Division Assistant Dean and Program Director to share data and proposed disciplinary action
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    Disciplinary action options (be consistent with syllabus):
  • Written reprimand
  • Grade adjustment
  • Disciplinary probation (specify time period)
  • Suspension (specify time period)
  • Expulsion
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Faculty member will inform the dean, in writing, of the:

  • Charge against the student
  • Supporting evidence
  • Action proposed
   

Note:

  • If the student agrees with the disciplinary action, and the disciplinary action results in a change of status for the student, the faculty member will notify student services of the change in status.
  • If the student disagrees with the proposed disciplinary action and requests a meeting with the faculty member, the faculty member may ask the Assistant Dean to be present for the meeting.

Procedure for Imposition of Disciplinary Action – Dean

Dean will review materials sent

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    If in agreement, will
  • Send a letter to the student notifying them of the:
    • Complaint
    • Disciplinary action
    • Right of appeal
    • Right to continue to attend classes during the appeal process (unless the student’s presence constitutes immediate harm or the likelihood of immediate harm to the student or others; this could mean the student may attend classes but not clinical, depending on the judgement of the Dean or hearing board)
    • Time frame when the student could apply for readmission (if expulsion)
  • Attachments to be included are:
    • A copy of the faculty member’s written complaint
    • Disciplinary action proposed for the student
    • List of all documents included in the mailing
      • The list must be signed by the student, confirming that all listed documents were received
      • Signed list, along with indication of student’s intent to appeal, must be returned to the Chair of the Academic Review Committee within 2 weeks
  • Letter and attachments should be sent by:
    • Certified mail (requiring addressee’s signature)
    • UNMC email (with a read receipt requested)
    • Hand delivery to student (if feasible)
 
    If not in agreement, will
  • Discuss with faculty, division assistant dean and program director
  • When agreement is reached, process will continue as usual
    If the student chooses to appeal, he or she will send a copy of their appeal letter to the dean. The dean will then send to the Chair of the Academic Review Committee a copy of all materials sent to the student, including:
  • Faculty charges
  • Supporting evidence
  • Student’s right of appeal


Procedure for Imposition/Appeal of Disciplinary Action – Student

    Student receives:
  • Letter from Dean
  • Attachments, which include:
    • Copy of the faculty member’s written complaint
    • Disciplinary action proposed for the student
    • List of all documents included in the mailing
      • The list must be signed by the student, confirming that all listed documents were received
      • Signed list, along with indication of student’s intent to appeal, must be returned to the Chair of the Academic Review Committee within 2 weeks
Arrow-left.png   Arrow-right.png
If student agrees with the disciplinary action proposed in the Dean’s letter, the action is imposed and the issue is closed.
    A student has the right to:
  • Examine his/her official school files at any time.
  • Record the hearing at personal expense
  • Have access to the official record of the hearing.
  • Have legal counsel, student counselor or advocate assist them in the process
 
    If the student disagrees with the disciplinary action proposed, the student must:
  • Discuss the matter with the faculty member involved
  • If no agreement is reached with the faculty member, the student may, within 2 weeks of receiving the Dean’s letter, submit an appeal, in writing, to the Chair of the Academic Review Committee with a copy to the Dean.


Procedure for Appeal of Disciplinary Action – Hearing Board

    Chair will receive:
  • Signed list for materials included in communication from the student within 2 weeks of receipt of letter from dean
  • Letter of intent to appeal from the student within 2 weeks of receipt of disciplinary action letter from dean
  • Disciplinary action materials from the dean’s office if student is appealing the disciplinary action
    Chair will:
  • Forward to the faculty member(s) involved a copy of all student appeal documents
  • Request a written statement from the faculty involved setting forth his/her response to the student’s appeal document, including his/her version of the facts related to the alleged disciplinary breach
  • Send the faculty’s version of events, the full statement, and any related documents to the student using all forms of mail delivery outlined in the dean’s directions.
  • Forward copies of all appeal materials to the members of the hearing board.
  • Appoint some person (board member, staff member, court stenographer) to keep minutes of board proceedings and maintain a verbatim account of the hearing.
    Hearing board:
  • May request clarification, in writing, from either the student or faculty
  • Any statements of clarification received by the board must be promptly shared with the other party
  • Will, within 10 working days of the conclusion of the investigation/hearing, determine whether the disciplinary charges against the student have been sustained by the weight of the evidence.
  • Will take a vote by secret ballot. If the board finds:
    • By a majority vote that the charges have not been sustained, the board shall submit its report and conclusions to the Dean, the faculty member instituting the charge, and the student, and the charges are dismissed.
    • A tie vote, the charges will be dismissed.
    • By a majority vote that some or all of the charges have been sustained by the weight of the evidence, the board shall submit its report and conclusions (with supporting rationale [including sufficient detail to support decisions and recommendations]) to the Dean, the faculty member initiating the charge, and the student. The report shall be accompanied by the decision of the board as to the disciplinary action to be invoked:
      • Written Reprimand
      • Grade Adjustment
      • Disciplinary Probation
      • Suspension
      • Expulsion
    • The charges have been sustained, the board will include notice to the student of the further right of appeal.
  • The decision will be considered final unless within 10 working days after receipt of its decision, the student submits, in writing, an appeal to the Dean setting forth reasons for believing the findings are in error or that the disciplinary action prescribed is unfair or unreasonable.
    Notes:
  • If the faculty or student have retained legal counsel, the Hearing Board chair should consult with the attorney for the Hearing Board before sharing copies of the materials with the student’s counsel.
  • The chair shall give reasonable notice to the student and faculty of the date, time, and place of the scheduled hearing.
  • The chair will ask the student and faculty if witnesses are desired. If yes, obtain the witnesses’ contact information and invite them to attend.
  • A list of witnesses and/or advisors must be provided to the chair of the committee no less than 24 hours before the scheduled hearing. Contact information for any witness or advisor must be submitted with the list of names.
  • After completion of the activities of a hearing board on any given appeal, all pertinent records are to be transferred to the office of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs. The records will be kept on file for four years, after which they will be disposed of in a confidential manner.

Procedure for Appeal of Disciplinary Action – Hearing

    In cases of written reprimand, grade adjustment, or probation:
  • The hearing board may rule on the basis of the written evidence submitted, unless the faculty or student has asked to appear personally before the board.
  • The student may appear, if desired, to testify, present evidence, and hear and question witnesses.
  • Witnesses and advisors may be present, but unless the chair of the hearing board permits, may not directly question witnesses or otherwise participate in the proceedings.
  • The hearing board should request University counsel for advisement during the process of planning for the hearing and may request that counsel be present during the hearing.
    In cases of suspension or expulsion:
  • The hearing board shall conduct a hearing to:
    • Hear all evidence.
    • Hear and question witnesses.
    • Have both the student and faculty present to testify and give evidence.
  • Legal counsel shall be present to advise the board.
  • The student and any witnesses may have advisors/counselors present at their own expense; the chair must be notified of advisors/counselors and their contact information at least 24 hours in advance.
  • The Board, faculty, student, and their advisors may hear testimony and question witnesses.

Procedure for Appeal of Disciplinary Action – Evidence

  • No evidence shall be admitted which would not be admitted in a state court criminal proceeding by reason of the method or manner in which it was acquired; therefore legal counsel will be present.
  • The burden of proof rests with the faculty member bringing the charge; evidence must substantiate the charge.
  • Findings or recommendations of the Board shall be based solely on the evidence introduced at the hearing.
  • During the hearing, testimony from both faculty and the student should involve review of all relevant documents already received. This way, these materials become “evidence introduced at the hearing.”