Judicial Board Policy

JUDICIAL BOARD Policy

The School of Nursing is committed to the highest standards of professional, academic, and scientific excellence, ethical conduct, integrity and personal responsibility. In instances when there may be a violation of these standards, as detailed in the SON honor code, IHP Academic Integrity Policy, or Code of Professional Behaviors, a review to investigate the circumstance may take place in the form of a Judicial Hearing. Incident Reports detailing events can be submitted by faculty, staff, students, or other affiliates. The Judicial Board will screen reports submitted by named individuals (not anonymous) and examine evidence to justify a hearing.  The aim of the process is to address behaviors that fall short of established standards in a matter that is educational and not punitive.

 

Judicial Board Procedure

A written incident is to be submitted detailing the behavior(s) witnessed. Students are to submit their testimony through the Office of Student Affairs and Services Incident Report Form. Faculty, staff, and other affiliates are to email the Assistant Dean for Student Success. This report must clearly provide facts and relevant supporting materials to justify the merits of an investigation. 

Upon receipt of the incident report the Assistant Dean (or designee) will review the report with the Judicial Board Co-Chairs to assess whether an investigation is warranted.

The Judicial Board Committee will investigate the incident and applicable policies in consultation with the student and program faculty. While not required, the Committee may initiate a Hearing Panel (henceforth hearing) to review evidence and solicit additional testimony from the involved parties.

After the panel has completed its investigation and evaluation it will provide a summary recommendation to the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Assistant/Associate Program Dean, who will communicate the outcome. This will be communicated to the student in writing with copies sent to the Dean, Program Dean and Faculty Advisor. 

Timeline: Individuals wishing to submit a report must do so within 10 business days of the event in question. The administration has 3 business days to review to determine if

a hearing will take place. The hearing will occur within 10 business days of the receipt of the incident report. All documents (materials) to be used in the hearing need to be submitted and disseminated to all parties 3 business days before the hearing. The hearing panel will have 1 business day to deliberate and make a recommendation to the Assistant Dean for Student Success and the Associate/Assistant Program Dean who will communicate the outcome within 5 business days.

 

Attendees: The Hearing Panel will be comprised of three faculty members and two students from the School of Nursing with no direct conflict of interest. The individual(s) named in the report may bring one support person to the hearing. The support person cannot be a legal representative or lawyer and may not speak during the hearing. The names and contact information of any support person must be communicated to the Assistant Dean of Student Success and Assistant to the Dean of the School of Nursing 3 business days before the appeal hearing.

Procedures: Panelists will meet to review documentation prior to the hearing. At the appointed time all other attendees will join the panelists and the hearing will begin. The individual who submitted the report will present the facts and circumstances which led to the incident report (20 minutes) and then the person(s) named in the incident report will respond to the argument (20 minutes). Hearing panelists may ask questions to both parties. At the conclusion of the hearing, all parties will be dismissed, and the panelists will deliberate and will provide their recommendation to the Assistant Dean and Associate/Assistant Program Dean according to the timeline above.

 

If students have any questions about the policy or procedures, they are encouraged to contact their Faculty Advisor and the Assistant Dean for Student Success.

[Policy Revised July 2023]