Statement

The University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership (SNHCL) provides a process for students to seek resolution of academic grievances, defined as concerns involving unfair treatment, errors, or inconsistent application of academic policy or decision-making. This process ensures that student concerns are reviewed promptly and fairly, provides clear steps for informal and formal review, and protects students from retaliation when concerns are raised in good faith.

This process is implemented in alignment with University of Washington (UW) requirements. All grievance and appeal processes in the SNHCL operate within the authority of UW policies, which govern the final resolution of student academic grievances. Graduate student grievances see Policy 3.8.

To carry out these University policies at the school level, the UWT SNCHL designates its Graduate Program Curriculum Committee (GPCC) as the school’s committee to adjudicate graduate student grievances. This committee shall include both faculty and student members, satisfying the requirements of Executive Order 58 and Policy 3.8 The Graduate Academic Grievance Procedure.

If a Curriculum Graduate Program Curriculum Committee member has a conflict of interest or recuses from a grievance review, the UWT SNCHL Dean, in consultation with the Committee Chair, appoints a substitute member to ensure impartiality and maintain required faculty and student representation.

I. Grievance Policy Scope

a.Covered matters include:
i.Academic-policy decisions (e.g., progression, transfer, or course equivalency, committee determinations).
ii.Application of program policies.
iii.Faculty or staff actions alleged to be arbitrary, capricious, or inconsistent with published policy.
b.Not covered under this policy:
i.Individual course grade appeals (SGP 110 applies; such appeals are not processed under this policy).
ii.Student employment or student worker complaints against supervisor.
iii.Discrimination, harassment, or disability accommodation disputes. These resources will address these issues:
a.Civil Rights Compliance Office (CRCO): Handles discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct concerns involving UW employees.
b.Office of Community Standards & Student Conduct: For reporting academic misconduct (cheating, plagiarism) or behavioral misconduct by students.
c.Office of the Ombud: Provides confidential, impartial support for resolving conflicts, navigating grievances, and understanding processes.

II. Resolution Process

a.Student disciplinary proceedings for misconduct, including plagiarism and cheating, fall under the provisions of the Student Conduct Code contained in the Student Policies Chapter 209 and Chapter 478-120 WAC.
b.A student who believes that an instructor has made an error in the assignment of a grade, or who believes that a grade recording error or omission has occurred, must seek resolution no later than the end of the following academic quarter (excluding summer quarter).
c.Students are expected to attempt resolution through UW School of Nursing Policy 5.1: Communicating Concerns About Instruction before filing a formal grievance.

III. Resolution Procedure

a.Initial Discussion with the Instructor: The student must first contact the instructor within 10 calendar days after quarter ends to request a meeting to discuss the concern.
b.Formal Written Appeal: If the issue is not resolved through discussion with the instructor, the student may submit a formal written appeal to the SNHCL Dean (snhcldean@uw.edu) or the Dean’s designee within 10 calendar days of the instructor’s decision.

IV. Initiating a Formal Grievance

a.A formal grievance must be submitted in writing by the student using the printable PDF linked here.
i.The written grievance should include:
a.Student name and program of study
b.Course or context of concern (if applicable)
c.A clear description of the issue
d.Steps already taken to resolve the concern informally
e.Who has already been contacted about the concern
f.The outcome or resolution sought by the student
b.Grievances should be submitted to the UWT SNHCL Office of the Dean at snhcldean@uw.edu. The Dean’s Office will review the grievance complaint, document the grievance, verify that it is a potential academic policy violation, and forward it to the Chair of the Graduate Program Curriculum Committee (GPCC) for review and action.

V. Graduate Program Curriculum Committee (GPCC) Review

a.Upon receipt, the GPCC Chair will acknowledge the grievance to the student on behalf of the GPCC within five (5) business days.
b.The review by the GPCC will consist of the three (3) faculty members, two current MN students, and Graduate Program Coordinator.
c.Committee members with a conflict of interest will recuse themselves.
d.If the Chair is a named party to the grievance or has a conflict of interest, the SNHCL Office of the Dean will consult with the Elected Faculty Council Chair to designate an alternate faculty to facilitate review of the grievance case.
e.The Graduate Program Curriculum Committee will review the grievance (through written materials or a hearing if requested by GPCC committee) and prepare a written recommendation for the Dean of the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership.

VI. Formal Grievance Procedure for Graduate Students

a.Grievance Committee: The relevant Graduate Program Curriculum Committee serves as the grievance committee, consistent with UW Graduate School Policy 3.8.
b.Recommendation: The committee submits its written recommendation to the Dean within two (2) business days of concluding its deliberations.
c.Decision: The Dean issues the formal unit-level decision within 10 business days and communicates the decision to the student, instructor, department chair, and Graduate Program Curriculum Committee Chair.
d.Appeal: Consistent with UW Graduate School Policy 3.8, if the student believes procedural uniformity in application of this policy was lacking, they may appeal to the Dean of the Graduate School within 15 business days. The only grounds on which the Graduate School will review appeals is on the grievance procedure.

VII. Records and Support

a.Documentation: Once a written grievance or appeal is filed, all subsequent actions are documented and retained by UWT SNHCL according to the University of Washington’s Record Retention Policy.

Approved June 2026