Academic Student ComplaintsComplaints
Student complaints may be of an academic nature including instructional methodology, grading,
testing, assignments, or the like. The following procedure is not for formal student complaints seeking resolution through academic appeals. Please refer to the Northwestern Student Handbook for appeal processes.
Academic Appeals: Grade change, Academic Integrity
Non-Academic Student ComplaintsComplaints
Student complaints may be of a non-academic nature including for example, complaints regarding SON services, IT support, facilities, policies, financial matters, or the like.
The following procedure is not for formal student complaints seeking resolution through non-academic nonacademic appeals, or for discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct issues. Please refer to the Northwestern Student Handbook for these complaints. (
Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct (Title IX).
Informal Student Complaint and Resolution Procedures
- The student should contact and discuss his/her concerns with the person(s) who is/are directly responsible, in order to resolve the issue. For academic issues, for example, contacting the faculty member for a full explanation of the grade given and the basis for making the grade, would be the first step in resolution.
- If the complaint cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student, the student should contact the Director of Pre-Licensure BSN Program (or the Dean of the School of Professional Studies, if the complaint involves the Chief Nurse Administrator), providing in writing the chief complaint, identifying the unresolved issue.
- The Chief Nurse Administrator (or Dean) will consider the complaint and attempt to bring the issue to satisfactory resolution within 15 working days. For example, in an academic complaint, the Chief Nurse Administrator will notify the faculty member of the student complaint and its nature, and seek to mediate the dispute through the following steps:
- Informal discussion of the facts of the case seeking resolution.
- If the faculty member's stated policy for calculating the grade, as documented in the course syllabus, has not been followed, the Chief Nurse Administrator or Dean will insist that it be followed.
- If the dispute is about a grade on a specific assignment or Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) (Exam), the Chief Nurse Administrator or Dean will request that the faculty member re-evaluate the assignment or CBA to investigate the grade given.
- In certain situations, the Chief Nurse Administrator may refer the complaint to the Dean of the College of Professional Studies or to other University Administrators for the purposes of 1) consideration of the complaint, and 2) providing recommendations for resolution to the Chief Nurse Administrator.
- The Chief Nurse Administrator will consider the recommendations by University Administration, make a decision and notify the student in writing of the decision.
- Written documentation regarding the resolution will be placed in the student's file and maintained for five (5) years past the student's last date of attendance.
Procedures
Course-related appeals (e.g., course grades, class expectations, unfair or discriminatory action, etc.) for traditional undergraduate courses are to be submitted to the Registrar, chair of the ad hoc appeals committee. However, before an appeal is submitted, the student must attempt to resolve the issue by:
Speaking with the professor or party directly involved with the decision
Speaking with the department chair, if the issue remains unresolved (in the event that the department Chair is the professor in question, the student should speak with the Assistant Dean)
If the issue remains unresolved, the Assistant Dean will convene a School of Nursing ad hoc committee for review
If the issue remains unresolved after appealing to the SON ad hoc committee, the student should speak with the Assistant Dean
Appealing to the university ad hoc appeals committee, if still unresolved.
An appeal must include an explanation of the situation and a reason for the appeal, and, for appeals not related to academic suspension, it must be based upon one or more of the following:
The student, in fact, did not commit the act(s) that led to the academic-related or course-related action.
The academic-related or course-related action is not appropriate for the act(s) committed.
Specified procedures have not been followed in academically disciplining the student.
If an appeal is made, the Registrar will call for an ad hoc appeals committee meeting with the committee members composed of faculty.
The decision of the appeals committee serves as a recommendation of action to the Registrar. The final decision will be placed in writing by the Registrar and communicated to the student in a timely manner. The written notification will also inform the student that the decision is final with no additional appeal recourse.
Formal Student Complaint and Resolution Procedures: Institution of Appeals ProcessesProcesses
After following the steps as outlined above, if the student is not satisfied with the process, a formal appeals procedure may be initiated through the
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University’s appeals procedures.
Written documentation regarding the resolution will be placed in the
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student’s file and maintained for five (5) years past the
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student’s last date of attendance.
Please refer to the following links for appeals procedures:
Academic Appeals:Grade change, Academic Integrity, etc.
Student Life Appeals: Student Appeal Process