Student Handbook 2022

Student Complaints / Concerns

General Complaint Policy

Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College provides various means by which student complaints and concerns may be addressed. A formal student complaint is defined as a student grievance with regards to decisions, actions, and/or processes at Goldfarb School of Nursing. The student complaint procedure is outlined in detail below. In all cases, students are encouraged to put their concerns in writing and carefully document the events that led to the complaints. All complaints, concerns, and suggestions made by students will be addressed in order to resolve the situation and improve the quality of the educational programs at the College. StudentComplaintsConcernsFeedbackPolicy-GSONStudents 2022 

General Complaint Procedure

Students can submit their complaints, concerns and feedback electronically. Students are asked to describe their suggestion or concern in as much detail as possible. Confidentiality is maintained. If the student forwarding the complaint/feedback provides their name, a direct response can be provided.

  1. An electronic tab – Student Complaints, Concerns, Feedback - is available in the Current Students section on our website.
  2. All student feedback is collected on a regular basis during each term by the Program Officer for Student Affairs. 
  3. Contents of student feedback is documented on the Student Feedback document.
  4. Requests are sent to relevant department leaders to provide a response or take action.
  5. Responses or the description of action taken from department leaders are documented on the Student Feedback document.
  6. The completed Student Feedback document is posted on the College student learning management system – Student Resources Course, Student Feedback tab, year.
    1. A periodic review of the Student Feedback documentation is conducted to ensure that appropriate responses/feedback and/or relevant actions/improvements are completed.
    2. Incomplete items are moved forward and included in subsequent Student Feedback documents.
  7. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to seek an informal resolution of the matter directly with faculty or individual(s) involved. Often a complaint can be resolved in this way. However, if an informal approach is neither successful nor appropriate, the student should use the following procedure:
    1. Complaints related to disability accommodations should be filed with the Disability Services Coordinator.
    2. Complaints related to academic misconduct should be filed with the Dean.
    3. Complaints related to non-academic student misconduct should be filed with the Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity.
    4. Complaints related to Title IX, including sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence, should be filed with the Title IX Coordinator or the Title IX Deputy Coordinator.
    5. Complaints concerning disability accommodations, academic misconduct, non- academic student misconduct, and Title IX will be handled in accordance with policies outlined in the Student Handbook.
  8. If you do not believe that any of the above is applicable to the nature of your complaint, you may contact the Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity. The Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity or his designee will work with the student to resolve the issue (or direct the student to the appropriate policy and/or person that will be responsible for resolving the complaint). The resolution process may include informal discussions and interviews with the relevant parties. The Vice Dean for Student Affairs will make a determination and issue a written statement to you regarding the resolution of your complaint. You may appeal the determination by filing a written appeal to the President or Dean in the absence of the President within three (3) working days of receiving the determination. The President’s decision is final, and the student will be informed of it in writing.
  9. The student may also file a complaint with Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Goldfarb School of Nursing’s accrediting organization. HLC has established a clear distinction between individual grievances and complaints that appear to involve broad institutional practices, and therefore the student is encouraged to try and resolve individual grievances using the College’s procedures. If the student does wish to make a complaint with HLC, relevant information can be found at https://www.hlcommission.org/Student-Resources/complaints.html?highlight=WyJjb21wbGFpbnRzIl0=

The student may also file a complaint with the Missouri Department of Higher Education. Information regarding its complaint procedures can be located at http://dhe.mo.gov/contactus.php.