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Master of Science in Nursing at JMU

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BSN: Academic Complaints and Grievance Procedure

The nursing department operates within university policies for grade review and complaints relative to sexual harassment or discrimination. These policies can be found in the university catalog and web site. The following are guidelines to address any area of concern or conflict within the nursing program. Complaints may be related to course requirements or the outcomes of a course, department policies or procedures, the way a given situation was handled, etc.

  1. The nursing faculty endorses direct and honest dialogue in seeking conflict resolution. It is committed to hearing student perspectives in areas of disagreement or conflict.
  2. Students are expected to demonstrate responsible, accountable, and professional behavior in seeking to resolve conflict. This includes the use of open and direct communication with persons with whom one has differences.
  3. Students with concerns or complaints related to course work or outcomes, scheduling, department policies or the way a situation was handled, are invited to discuss their concerns in the following manner:
    • The concern should first be discussed with the individual(s) involved on a one to one, face-to-face basis. The purpose of this discussion is to listen to each other and to reach a consensus or resolution on the issue of concern. This may involve a student(s) and faculty member(s), or student(s) and the department head.
    • If the concern cannot be resolved between the parties directly involved they should be discussed with the department head who will offer to arrange for a face-to-face conversation with all parties present (student(s) and faculty member(s)) if deemed appropriate. If the concern involves a course issue the entire course team can meet with the student(s). Written materials may be submitted by or requested from the student for assistance in clarifying the issue.
    • If after conversation with the department head and all parties involved, the concern or issue is not satisfactorily resolved, the student may file a formal complaint and/or initiate a grievance procedure, following university policy and procedures. In a formal complaint the student is expected to provide data documenting the concern in writing, and to specify the action being requested. The formal complaint must be in writing in the form of a letter sent to the department head, with copies to all persons concerned.
  4. If the outcome of this process is not satisfactory, the student has the option of appealing to the Dean of the College.
  5. Records of informal complaints are retained by the parties involved at their discretion and may be entered into the student's file.