Students in the Education Program at SMSU are afforded due process rights related specifically to the Teacher Education Program.  Student appeals include, but are not limited to, programmatic issues, sub-committee decisions and/or field experience related issues.  Grade appeals and other issues normally covered by university-wide policies will continue to be handled through the institutional process.  Refer to the SMSU Catalog / Student Handbook for the grade appeal process and other student issues not specific to the Teacher Education Program.

Appeals – Field Experience Issues

Director of Field Experiences (Marshall) / Education Coordinator (Brainerd)

In many instances, the Director of Field Experiences (Marshall) or Education  Coordinator (Brainerd) reaches decisions relating to field experiences, and a student’s first contact regarding a field experience decision should be with the Director.   The Director will keep written notes of the meeting and other communications.

Field Experience Issues Committee

If a student wishes to appeal a decision made by the Director of Field Experiences (Marshall) or Education Coordinator (Brainerd) relating to a field experience issue, the formal appeal is made to the Field Experience Issues Committee.

Requests must be made in writing, must state the reasons for petitioning to the Field Experience Issues Committee, and must be received within 10 working days of the student being notified of the initial decision. The written appeal must state the reason(s) for the review and provide factual information substantiating one of the following:

• Procedures not followed,
• Regulations not applied correctly,
• Information not known or available at the time of the original hearing which could alter the outcome, or
• Action not appropriate.

The written appeal to the Field Experience Issues Committee must also include:

• A copy of the original decision and any documentation relating to the Director of Field Experiences (Marshall) or Education Coordinator (Brainerd) decision.
• Any other documentation the student thinks would enhance his/her position with this appeal.

The Committee will respond in writing within 10 working days.

Education Department

If the decision reached by the Field Experience Issues Committee is not satisfactory to the student, he/she may appeal to the Education Department on the Marshall campus.  A hearing will be scheduled to occur within 15 working days after the formal appeal is filed (based on the Marshall campus academic calendar).

Student Rights

• The student has the right to appear at the hearing.
• The student may bring and/or use expert resource persons, e.g. college faculty and staff or other appropriate professionals, to support the appeal.

Required Documentation

• Original appeal letter and supporting documentation submitted to the Field Experience Issues Committee
• The decision rendered by the Field Experience Issues Committee

Hearing steps

• Student and/or expert witness(es) present evidence.
• Faculty members ask questions and review relevant data with student present.
• Student and expert witnesses (if present) are excused from the hearing.
• Faculty members deliberate and take action.
• The decision of the Education Department is communicated in writing to the student, the academic advisor, Director of Field Experiences (Marshall) or Education Coordinator (Brainerd), and/or other individuals impacted by the decision rendered.

 

Dean: College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies

If a student is not satisfied with the decision of the Education Department (Marshall), an appeal may be filed with the Dean of the College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies or his/her designated representative. This appeal must be filed within seven (7) days of notification of the Education Department’s decision. The Dean will review all associated documentation, decisions rendered by the previous individuals/committees, and other evidence pertinent to this case. The Dean’s decision will be relayed back to the Education Department Chairperson, who will be responsible for communicating to the student and other related parties. The decision of the Dean is final.

 

Appeals - Non-Field Experience Issues

            Appeals not related to field experiences follow the established due process policies and procedures of Southwest Minnesota State University. 

 

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