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Program Appeals Procedure

LONE STAR COLLEGE SYSTEM
ADN NURSING PROGRAM APPEALS PROCEDURE

A student may request initiation of the appeal process for an unresolved problem involving a departmental rule. A departmental rule is defined as one made by the entire (Program) faculty, which affects more than one individual (program) course, e.g. clinical attendance or readmission policy.

INITIATION OF AN APPEALS HEARING
1.  The student should first meet with the instructor involved and attempt to resolve the problem at that level.
2. If the problem is not resolved, the student meets with the Program Director within 5 (five) working days of the situation.
3. If the problem is not resolved, the student initiates the appeal process by submitting a letter to the Chair of the Appeals Committee of that college.  The intent to appeal, the nature of the problem and the requested outcome should be clearly stated in the letter.
4.  The letter must be received within 5 (five) working days of the situation. 
5.  The student will be allowed to continue attending lecture/clinical/lab/seminar until the Appeals Committee meets and formulates a decision concerning the appeal.
 For issues such as drinking, drugs or other behavioral issues, a student may not be allowed to remain in the classroom, lab or clinical.
6.  The Chair of the Appeals Committee will call an ad hoc meeting to formally review the appeal within 5 (five) working days of the appeal request by the student.  A decision regarding the appeal is made at that time.

MEMBERSHIP
1.  The chair of the committee will be selected from a member of the full time teaching faculty.
2.  Each time the Appeals Committee convenes, the chair will optimally appoint three faculty members and two student representatives. Because the number of available Full time faculty may be limited, the chair may need to request a faculty member from another healthcare program to serve on the Appeals Committee. The student representative/s may come from the program department or another health related program.
3.  The Nursing Director may serve as an ad hoc nonvoting member of the Appeals Committee.
4.  A faculty member directly involved in any given appeal may not be a voting member of the ad hoc Appeals Committee. In the event that the Chair of the committee is "an involved faculty member," the Director will be asked to appoint a temporary Chair for that single appeal.

PROCEDURES FOR THE COMMITTEE
1.  Chair duties:
a. appoint secretary
b. convene the meeting
c. state purpose of meeting and student's request
d. introduce committee members
e. direct the appeal hearing
f. call for a vote based on student's request
g. inform Program Director and student of the committee findings
h. maintain minutes of the appeal in a secure file in the nursing department
2.  The student should be prepared to discuss the problem and defend his/her position.
3.  The instructor/s directly involved should be prepared to present data related to his/her position concerning the situation under appeal.
4.  The Appeals Committee decision will be made by secret ballot. A majority vote will be required in order to make an exception to departmental policy. If a tie, the Chair will cast the deciding vote.
5.  The Chair will inform the student of the committee's decision. Any actions by the student required by the committee for a passing grade will be communicated to the student in writing.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
1.  The Appeals Committee meeting takes priority over any other meeting.
2.  Unresolved issues at the departmental level may be taken to the Dean of the division with oversight for the program. The student has five (5) working days to make a written request to have the matter referred to the Division Dean.
3.  The Division Dean will review and make recommendations for the unresolved issue within ten (10) working days. Any situation remaining unresolved at this point may be taken to the college's chief academic or student services officer as appropriate. Any academic issues are forwarded to the chief academic office and any student conduct issues are forwarded to the student services office.  Decision made by the chief academic/student services officer is FINAL. 
4.  Refer to Program Appeal Procedure Flowchart.