Post-incident Decision-Making & Sanctions
The following provides an overview of the process that is employed to resolve cases of alleged violations of GSON’s Professional Standards and Behavior Code for Nursing Students except for violations that pertain to Title IX. Each case is handled individually, and, in some cases, certain elements of these procedures may not be necessary or may be modified.
Procedures and Sanctions for Violations of the Professional Standards and Behavior Code
Reporting – All members of the GSON Community - faculty, administrators, staff, and students - have a responsibility to report reasonable suspicion that a student has violated GSON Professional Standards and Behavior Code. Reports of misconduct follow the channels below. All student reports of suspected misconduct are confidential.
- Academic Misconduct - starts with faculty members of individual courses then program directors, assistant dean/dean (depending on undergraduate or graduate program)
- Clinical Misconduct – starts with clinical faculty, course lead, program directors, assistant dean/dean (depending on undergraduate or graduate program)
- Personal Misconduct – starts with faculty or professional staff member, Associate Dean of Student Experience and Development
Individuals should use the Professional Standards and Behavior Code to report violations of the Professional Standards and Behavior Code.
Direct Link: https://forms.office.com/r/eZQpFraZPz
All GSON Community members are required to follow the Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence as outlined in Title IX. In addition, all GSON Community members are required to report all incidents of Title IX violations to the Title IX coordinator.
Review Process
Reports of misconduct will be evaluated closely, measured against the expectations for professional behavior and feedback sought from GSON Community members about the student’s overall conduct and fitness for professional nursing before a decision on if a formal hearing is needed. If there is reasonable information presented in a report that suggests a violation occurred, potential policy violations may be assigned, and a hearing may be scheduled. Not all reports and violations would warrant a hearing process.
Course point deductions/scoring are not related to ongoing violations and/or committee decisions in this process.
Notification of Misconduct
Students will receive an email to their BJC email account notifying them they have alleged violation of the Professional Standards and Behavior Code that will include:
- A brief description of the potential violation, including the time, date, and place the incident allegedly occurred.
- A list of any policies potentially violated.
- The type of meeting in which the case will be adjudicated or resolved; and
- Information about when the meeting is to take place or be scheduled.
Hearing Processes
Academic and Clinical Misconduct - When incidents of academic and/or clinical misconduct are reported, the instructing faculty member, Program Director, and Assistant Dean/Dean will meet with the student, discuss the behavior and evidence, and possible sanctions. The purpose of this meeting is to permit the faculty to review with the student the basis for his or her belief that the student violated the Professional Standards and Behavior Code and to afford the student an opportunity to respond.
Based on the meeting, if the faculty determine that no violation occurred or that no disciplinary sanction is warranted, the matter will be considered resolved without the necessity for further action, but a notion of the possible misconduct will be made in the students record.
If the faculty determines that a violation has occurred and that sanctions are warranted, the following shall occur:
• The faculty shall prepare a written report that includes a description of the violation, specification of recommended sanction(s), and a notice of report to the student.
• The written report will be delivered by electronic means. In addition, a copy of the report shall be retained in the student’s academic file.
Personal Misconduct - The Student Conduct Board is a college-wide committee consisting of graduate and undergraduate students and a professional staff member. Board members serve as hearing officers for allegations of misconduct.
If a hearing related to a personal misconduct violation is advised, a meeting will be scheduled with the student to discuss the behavior, evidence, and possible sanctions. The purpose of this meeting is to allow the student the opportunity to discuss the violation, share their beliefs and explanations related to the violation, and to respond. When relevant, based on the reported violation, faculty members, clinical agency representatives, or other guests may be invited to the hearing to contribute to the hearing process.
Based on the meeting, a decision regarding outcomes will be determined. If the determination is that no violation occurred or that no disciplinary sanction is warranted, the matter will be considered resolved without the necessity for further action, but a notion of the possible misconduct will be made in the students record.
If it is determined that a violation has occurred and that sanctions are warranted, the following shall occur:
• A written report that includes a description of the violation, specification of recommended sanction(s), and a notice of report to the student.
• The written report will be delivered by electronic means. In addition, a copy of the report shall be retained in the student’s academic file.
Sanctioning
GSON reserves the right to impose sanctions, based on severity, above and beyond routine procedures which may include a warning, counseling, restitution, community service, disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion from the college.
Sanctions: Sanctions are determined dependent on GSON and type of misconduct. All incidents of misconduct will be handled on a case-by-case basis with the sanctions determined by the severity of the misconduct, and the potential risk to patients and organizations. The examples and details provided below are not inclusive of all situations and sanctions.
Academic Misconduct – Sanctions for academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, re-doing an assignment, re-taking an examination, undertaking an additional assignment, receiving a reduced grade, warning, suspension, or expulsion. The college of nursing reserves the right to impose additional sanctions, based on severity, above and beyond routine procedures.
Clinical Misconduct - In cases involving clinical misconduct, the student may be removed from the clinical setting. All incidents of clinical misconduct will be handled on a case-by-case basis with the sanctions determined by the severity of the misconduct, and the potential risk to patients and organizations.
Personal Misconduct – Sanctions for personal misconduct aim to provide effective sanctions as a means of restoring or redirecting students towards positive behavior, valuable skill development, and better decision-making. Whenever possible, sanctions will advance students towards repairing harm previously done through actions, whether the harm was brought against a victim, a community, or the student themselves. In cases involving personal misconduct, sanctions include, but are not limited to, formal reprimand or disciplinary action, research paper or reflective exercise, as well as performing community service or attending workshops.
Professional Standards and Behavior Code Appeal
A student may appeal sanctions by submitting a written request to the Associate Dean for Student Experience and Development within 5 business days of receiving the notification by completing the Appeal Form and submitting it via the following link:
Appeal Form: https://www.barnesjewishcollege.edu/sites/goldfarb/files/2023-12/Appeal%20Form%20RV%202023-12-21.pdf
Appeal Form and Documentation Submission: https://forms.office.com/r/7rgKxcBkwX
Appeals must be based on at least one of the following arguments and be clearly stated so in the written appeal:
• There were violations of procedure that seriously compromised the investigation and/or conclusions.
• The sanctions are excessive in relation to the violation.
• There is significant new evidence not reasonably available at the time of the investigation.
The written appeal must specify the following:
• Precise grounds on which the appeal is based (see above).
• Circumstances associated with the need to appeal.
• Arguments supporting the appeal.
• Description of proposed actions to be taken.
The Associate Dean for Student Experience and Development will determine if the appeal meets the above conditions. If not, the Associate Dean will advise the student that the matter is ended.
Hearing for Appeals
• The student affairs committee will hear all appeals.
Confidentiality Statement
GSON is committed to protecting students’ right to privacy. The information and records relating to this process will be handled consistent with applicable laws and college policies concerning student privacy and related confidentiality issues.