Undergraduate Academic Grievance Policy (2022)

Wichita State University — College of Health Professions

First adopted March 18, 2005. Revisions approved March 13, 2012; March 8, 2022 (per Student Affairs Committee recommendation).

Summary

Professional conduct and ethical patient management are evidenced by a way of life rather than simply by a set of rules. Each violation of standards diminishes the dignity and credibility of the profession. Protecting the public and the profession is a responsibility shared by departments in the College of Health Professions. The College supports and follows all relevant Wichita State University policies and procedures:

Failure to maintain prescribed academic standing and/or professional ethical standards may result in a failing or below‑average course grade and/or dismissal from a program and/or the College. Faculty have discretion to assess student performance and ethical/professional behavior, consistent with disciplinary standards.

When academic difficulties may lead to dismissal, a review process is available. While not a legal hearing, the process includes:

  1. Written notice to the student describing performance inadequacies and implications for academic standing;
  2. Opportunity for the student to explain poor performance and provide information supporting improvement; and
  3. Careful and deliberate departmental decision‑making.

Departments evaluate both cognitive and non‑cognitive performance (e.g., technical and interpersonal skills, attitudes, professional character and conduct, and ethical behavior) to determine progress, need for remediation or counseling, or dismissal.

Student Academic Dishonesty

All cases of academic dishonesty in the College are handled per Wichita State University policy:

Per Kansas Board of Regents policy, academic dishonesty is not tolerated. Penalties may include reprimand, failing grade, suspension, or dismissal. Students accused of misconduct will have access to review and appeal mechanisms.

Student Grade Appeals

Grade appeals are handled per Wichita State University policy:

Disputes should be resolved at the lowest possible level: instructor → department chair → college dean (or designee) → Court of Student Academic Appeals (if unresolved).

Exceptions

See the current Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs for university‑level exceptions (e.g., academic forgiveness, change of grades, court of academic appeals, University Exceptions Committee, etc.). Within the College of Health Professions, Student Affairs Committee performs college exceptions committee duties.

Undergraduate Student Dismissal Appeal Policy & Procedures

This policy applies to pre‑professional and professional undergraduate students enrolled in the College. Students dismissed for any reason will be notified in writing by the program director, department chair, or dean.

Note (Graduate Students): The Graduate School receives dismissal recommendations for all graduate programs. Graduate students may appeal to the Graduate Council. See Academics — Probation, Dismissal and Amnesty and the Graduate Catalog section on Graduate Council for details.

Grounds for a Dismissal Appeal

A student may appeal dismissal on any of the following grounds:

  1. The dismissal was not in accordance with published department or College policy;
  2. The dismissal was arbitrary or capricious; or
  3. The dismissal was determined on a basis other than academic, clinical, or professional performance.

Dismissal Appeal Policy

Departmental procedures must be followed before appealing at the College level. If departmental procedures are exhausted without satisfactory resolution, the student may request a hearing with the College of Health Professions Student Affairs Committee (a standing committee per college policy).

The Committee may uphold the dismissal or require reinstatement with conditions (e.g., repeating coursework, academic probation for the remainder of the program, altered curriculum, or remediation as determined by the department).

Students who appeal may remain enrolled and attend didactic classes until all appeals through the dean’s level are exhausted. Continuation in clinical training is at the discretion of the faculty (department committee) and department chair.

After exhausting appeals, dismissed students may be readmitted only by applying through normal admissions procedures.

1 See University policies 2.17 (Student Academic Integrity) and 8.05 (Student Code of Conduct).

Procedures for Filing a Dismissal Appeal

  1. Deadline: File a written appeal with the College dean’s office within 5 weekday school days (when school is in session) after notification of dismissal, citing one or more grounds above.
  2. Form & Content: Use the Academic Grievance Form (see bottom of page) and include:
    1. Dates, times, and places of the events in question;
    2. Names of witnesses;
    3. Facts of the grievance and action requested;
    4. Grounds for the appeal; and
    5. Efforts already taken to resolve the grievance.
  3. Initial Review: The Associate Dean will attempt informal resolution and determine completeness/eligibility. If incomplete, the student has 5 weekday school days to submit missing documentation; otherwise, the request is withdrawn.
  4. Decision to Proceed: Made within 5 weekday school days. If a hearing is held, the Committee will reach a decision on the grievance.
  5. Department Response: The Associate Dean will share the completed form with the department chair. The chair responds in writing within 5 weekday school days; the Associate Dean provides that response to the student within 5 weekday school days thereafter. At least 5 weekday school days before the hearing, Committee members receive all materials.

Student Affairs Committee Hearing Procedure Rules

  • All written and verbal components of the appeal process are confidential. Minutes are confidential, retained for 3 years, and made available to the parties if a subsequent appeal is filed.
  • The Committee will conduct the hearing within 15 weekday school days (when school is in session) after determining a hearing is needed. The Associate Dean chairs the hearing.
  • Members who are parties, have conflicts of interest, or serve as witnesses do not participate as Committee members for the case.
  • Each party may have an advisor who is a WSU academic or professional staff member (e.g., SGA Student Ombudsman recommended). Advisors counsel but do not directly participate. Attorneys may not serve as advisors.
  • Student academic records are handled per FERPA. Documentation about another student is considered only if provided by that student. Confidentiality is strictly observed.
  • Both parties and the Committee may obtain and present testimony and written evidence relevant to the complaint.
  • Lists of witnesses and written exhibits are exchanged at least 5 weekday school days before the hearing.
  • The decision is based on evidence presented at the hearing and related documentation. The Associate Dean notifies the department chair and the student in writing within 5 weekday school days of the conclusion, including reasons and appeal rights.
  • Time frames may be modified by the Associate Dean for good cause, with written notice to all parties.

Appeals to the Decision of the Student Affairs Committee

The student, department, or faculty member may appeal to the College dean only on the ground that procedures in this policy were not followed.

Appeals must be filed within 10 weekday school days (when school is in session) after notification of the Committee’s decision and must specify the procedural grounds. The dean will decide and notify the student in writing within 10 weekday school days. The dean’s decision is final.

Academic Grievance Form

Copy and paste this form into a word document. Then complete this form when appealing a dismissal from a department or program within the College of Health Professions. You may attach a signed, dated document covering all requested items instead of using the fields below.

Student Information
Grounds for Appeal (select all that apply)
☐ Not in accordance with published department or College policy
☐ Arbitrary or capricious
☐ Determined on a basis other than academic, clinical, or professional performance
Required Narrative

Please address the following in your written statement (attach additional pages if needed):

  1. Dates, times, and places of events in question
  2. Names of any witnesses
  3. Facts of the grievance and action requested
  4. Grounds for the appeal
  5. Efforts and actions already taken to resolve the grievance
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signature

Return: Submit the completed form with all supporting documentation to the Dean’s Office, College of Health Professions, Room 400, Ahlberg Hall, Wichita State University.