Policy No. 424
Administrative Policies Affecting the School of Nursing

Formal Student Complaints

Date Effective
June 2008
Date Reviewed / Revised
September 2023
Program Level
Administrative

POLICY:

This policy defines formal complaints and establishes a procedure regarding the role of the student, school, and university in the review and resolution of the claim. The School of Nursing adheres to all University policies. A formal complaint is defined as any signed, written claim brought by a student alleging discriminatory, improper, or arbitrary treatment. No retaliation or adverse action shall be taken against any student for initiating, participating, or refusing to participate in, a formal complaint.

  1. CS 20, Health, Safety, and Sexual Misconduct
  2. CS 07, Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action
  3. Policy AC 39, Guidelines on Academic Integrity - Student and Faculty Obligations and Hearing Procedures

PROCEDURE:

Formal complaints involving a university policy must follow the official procedure according to established university policies. Such policies include, but are not limited to:

  • University of Pittsburgh Policy 06-05-01, Health, Safety, and Sexual Misconduct
  • University of Pittsburgh Policy 07-01-03, Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action
  • University of Pittsburgh Policy 02-03-02, Guidelines on Academic Integrity - Student and Faculty Obligations and Hearing Procedures

Formal complaints involving an issue of Academic Integrity will fall under School of Nursing Policy 307, Academic Integrity: Student Obligations, and Policy 306, Academic Integrity: Faculty Obligations.

Documentation of complaints and their disposition will be logged in a database, and shall be maintained as confidential and retained in the Office of the Dean for four (4) years. The log shall include:

  • The date the complaint was first formally submitted
  • The nature of the complaint
  • The steps taken to resolve the complaint
  • The School’s final decision regarding the complaint
  • Any other external actions initiated by the student to resolve the complaint.
  1. CS 20, Health, Safety, and Sexual Misconduct
  2. CS 07, Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action
  3. Policy AC 39, Guidelines on Academic Integrity - Student and Faculty Obligations and Hearing Procedures