Adams School of Dentistry: Policy on Student Due Process

Unit Policy

Title

Adams School of Dentistry: Policy on Student Due Process

I. Introduction

A. Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the due process rights of Adams School of Dentistry (ASOD) students.

B. Scope

This Policy applies to all ASOD Students and Residents.

II. Policy

A. Appeals

For an appeal to be considered, it must be based upon one or more of the following grounds and upon an allegation that the ground(s) cited influenced the grade assignment to the student's detriment:

1. Arithmetic or clerical error;

2. Personal malice;

3. Arbitrariness; and/or

4. Bias, including discrimination or harassment as defined in the University Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct.

The University's Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Misconduct, Including Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment, Sexual Violence, Interpersonal Violence, and Stalking prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of an individual's age, color, creed, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status (collectively referred to as "Protected Status").

Students who want additional information regarding the University's process for investigating allegations of discrimination or harassment should contact the Equal Opportunity and Compliance (EOC) Office for assistance:

Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office
214 W. Cameron Ave.
Campus Box 9160
Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Telephone: 919-966-3576
Fax: 919-962-2562
Email: eoc@unc.edu
EOC website

Any administrator or supervisor, including a department chair, associate dean, or other administrator who receives a student's complaint about prohibited harassment or discrimination must notify the EOC Office within five (5) calendar days of receiving the complaint. If a student raises a claim of prohibited harassment or discrimination during an academic appeal, an investigation of the student's claim must be performed under the direction of the EOC Office. The ASOD or department must await the results of the harassment or discrimination investigation before deciding the student's academic appeal.

B. Appeal of Course Grade and Written or Oral Evaluation

1. A student must submit all appeals in writing to the course director concerned, stating the ground(s) for the appeal as provided in subsection-A with a copy to the ASOD Vice Dean for Education (for DDS students) or the student's program director.

2. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the course director (with a copy going to the ASOD Vice Dean for Education or the student's program director, as stated above) within 10 calendar days of notification of the final course grade or evaluation.

3. The course director must inform the student of the decision within 10 working days upon receipt of the appeal.
   If the student desires to submit an appeal to the next level, the student may then appeal the grade to the course director's department chair and, finally, to the ASOD Administrative Board. In each case, the student must submit the appeal in writing within three (3) business days of the student's receiving the results of the previous appeal. The appeal is limited to the grounds provided in subsection-A. The ASOD Administrative Board recommendations are advisory to the ASOD Dean, who will render a decision following receipt of same.

4. All decisions by the ASOD Dean are final.

C. Appeal of Decisions of Reclassification or Dismissal

Students must submit such appeals in writing to the Chair of the ASOD Administrative Board (a copy must be sent to the ASOD Vice Dean for Education) within 10 calendar days of written notification of the committee's decision. The appeal must state the ground(s) for the appeal as provided in subsection-A. The ASOD Administrative Board recommendations are advisory to the ASOD Dean, who will render a decision following receipt of same.

All decisions made by the ASOD Dean are final.

Students who have been dismissed and are appealing the dismissal are not permitted to attend school or treat patients while the appeals process is taking place. Students who have been reclassified or have been placed on a reduced schedule must adhere to the schedules assigned by the ASOD Office of Academic Affairs or respective program director while the appeal process is taking place.

D. University Grievance Procedures

Procedures used when a student has a grievance against a UNC-Chapel Hill employee, including faculty, EHRA non-faculty, staff, or a student employee are described in the Student Grievance Procedures Manual.

III. Contact Information