Disciplinary Actions

Program Probation

The student remains eligible for continuance in the BSW Program and in field placement (if applicable), but remains on a period of program probation, the length of which is determined by the BSW committee. Assignment of probationary status is contingent upon the student’s agreement to follow the specific corrective action plan recommended by the BSW Committee. Failure to follow this plan during the probationary period may result in a second review, and/or suspension or dismissal from the program. If the student is unable to return to his or her prior field placement, and the BSW committee’s decision is to place the student on probation, the field coordinator will assist the student, if possible, in finding a new placement.

Suspension

The student is asked to withdraw from all BSW courses and field placement (if applicable) for a period of time to be determined by the BSW committee. During this time, the student may pursue coursework in other departments at the university or other academic institutions, but may not enroll in any additional coursework in the BSW program. Once the period of suspension has finished, a second review meeting will be held with the BSW committee in order to determine whether it is appropriate for the student to return to BSW courses and/or field placement.

Students can be suspended from the program in cases in which there has been a prior probationary period, and the student has not followed the corrective action plan or in cases in which there is a serious violation of academic or professional standards. Suspension of a student without a previous probationary period occurs with approval of the School of Social Work Director, the Dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Dismissal

The student is dismissed from the BSW program and will not be permitted to register for any BSW program courses or field. They can, however, apply and register for other programs within the university. Students can be dismissed from the program in cases in which there has been a previous period of probation or suspension, and the BSW committee decides that the student has not taken appropriate actions to remedy the previous concerns about academics or professional behavior or in cases in which there is a serious violation of academic or professional standards. Suspension of a student without a previous probationary or suspension period occurs with approval of the SSW director, the dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Appeals

Situations in which students may submit an appeal include, but are not limited to:

• Appeals of final course, including the grade of Unforgivable Failure (UF), if determined by a violation other than academic dishonesty
• Appeals of imposition of academic probation
• Appeals of exclusion from class or field
• Appeals of dismissal from the BSW program
• Appeals of dismissal from the University

The College Dean or his/her designee is the final level of appeal for grade penalties, exclusion from class, final course grades, and academic probation from the BSW program. The Office of the Provost is the final level of appeal for dismissal from the program, not including suspension or probation imposed by the university upon the student for failure to maintain minimum academic standards.

Appeal of a Final Grade

The School of Social Work follows University procedures for a student who wishes to appeal a final grade. The procedures are found on the WVU Academic Programs and Policies website.

Level 1 Appeal

• The student may begin an appeal by submitting a written appeal via WVU e-mail to the Level 1 appeal reviewer before the appeal deadline listed above. The student’s appeal must include the documentation and evidence forming the basis of their appeal.
• The course instructor/coordinator must provide all relevant documentation and criteria for determining the student’s final grade to the Level 1 appeal reviewer upon their request.
• The Level 1 appeal reviewer assesses the available evidence and makes a decision about the appeal based on that evidence.
• Within 10 class days after the student has submitted the appeal, the Level 1 appeal reviewer communicates the decision in writing via WVU e-mail to the student and the course instructor/coordinator.
• Depending on the outcome of the appeal, the Level 1 appeal reviewer submits a grade modification.
• The reviewer retains all documentation related to the appeal for 5 years.
• If the student accepts the Level 1 appeal decision, the appeal is concluded.

Level 2 Appeal

• If the student does not accept the Level 1 appeal decision, the student may submit a written appeal via WVU e-mail to the Level 2 appeal reviewer within 10 class days after the decision at Level 1 is sent.
• The Level 1 appeal reviewer forwards all materials included in the appeal to the Level 2 reviewer. Both the student and the course instructor/coordinator may provide additional information if they wish.
• The Level 2 appeal reviewer assesses the available evidence and makes a decision about the appeal based on that evidence.
• Within 10 class days after the student has submitted the appeal, the Level 2 appeal reviewer communicates the decision in writing via WVU e-mail to the student, the course instructor/coordinator, and the Level 1 appeal reviewer.
• Depending on the outcome of the appeal, the Level 1 appeal reviewer submits a grade modification.
• The reviewer retains all documentation related to the appeal for 5 years.
• The appeal is concluded.
• This concludes the grades appeal process; there are no further appeals.

Appeal of a Charge of and/or Penalty Based on Academic Dishonesty

The School of Social Work follows the University procedures for appeal of an Academic Penalty other than a final grade, and not based on academic dishonesty. The procedures are found on the WVU Academic Programs and Policies website.

Level 1 Appeal

• The student may begin an appeal by submitting a written appeal via WVU e-mail to the Level 1 appeal reviewer within 10 class days after penalty is communicated to the student. The student’s appeal must include the documentation and evidence forming the basis of their appeal.
• The individual or committee that imposed the penalty must provide all relevant documentation concerning the penalty to the Level 1 appeal reviewer upon their request.
• The Level 1 appeal reviewer assesses the available evidence and makes a decision about the appeal.
• Within 10 class days after student has submitted the appeal, the Level 1 appeal reviewer communicates the decision in writing via WVU e-mail to the student and the individual or committee that imposed the penalty.
• The reviewer retains all documentation related to the appeal for 5 years.
• If the student accepts the Level 1 appeal decision, the appeal is concluded.

Level 2 Appeal

• If the student does not accept the Level 1 appeal decision, the student may continue their appeal by submitting a written appeal via WVU e-mail to the Level 2 appeal reviewer within 10 class days after the decision at Level 1 is sent.
• The Level 1 appeal reviewer forwards all materials included in the appeal to the Level 2 reviewer on request. Both the student and the individual or committee that imposed the penalty may provide additional information if they wish.
• The Level 2 appeal reviewer assesses the available evidence and makes a decision about the appeal based on that evidence.
• Within 10 class days after student has submitted the appeal, the Level 2 appeal reviewer communicates the decision in writing via WVU e-mail to the student, the individual or committee that imposed the penalty, and the Level 1 appeal reviewer.
• The reviewer retains all documentation related to the appeal for 5 years.
• For undergraduate students, the appeal is concluded at this point.
• For graduate and professional students, the appeal is concluded if the student accepts the Level 2 decision. If the appeal concerned a final grade or an academic penalty other than program dismissal, the appeal is concluded. If the penalty is dismissal from a program, the graduate or professional student may continue their appeal by submitting a written appeal via WVU e-mail to the Level 3 appeal reviewer (Associate Provost for Graduate Academic Affairs Richard Thomas). Please review the WVU Graduate Catalog for specific details regarding a Level 3 Appeal Review.

Level 3 Appeal

• If the penalty is dismissal from a program, the student may continue their appeal by submitting a written appeal via WVU e-mail to the Level 3 appeal reviewer named on the Academic Standards Resources webpage within the time limit provided below.
• The Level 2 appeal reviewer forwards all materials included in the appeal to the Level 3 reviewer and the student upon request from the Level 3 reviewer.  Both the student and other individuals or committees may provide additional information if they wish.
• The Level 3 appeal reviewer may (but is not required to) appoint and convene a Student Academic Hearing Committee (SAHC) to hear the case and review the appeal. SAHC procedures follow.
• Members are appointed to the SAHC at the discretion of the Level 3 appeal reviewer and shall comprise at least three faculty members. At least one SAHC member should be from the program offering the course or the student’s program; at least one should be from outside the program offering the course or the student’s program.
• The SAHC holds a joint hearing with the student and any individuals involved in making the academic dishonesty charge or imposing the academic penalty and may also convene additional individual meetings or request additional materials to collect further evidence. The hearing is set outside of the student's scheduled classes; should the student choose not to appear, the meeting will proceed as scheduled.
• The student may be accompanied to the hearing or meetings or be advised by a person of his or her choice from the institution. Likewise, the faculty member, academic officer, or committee recommending dismissal may have an advisor from the institution. Such advisors may consult with but may not speak on behalf of their advisees or otherwise participate directly in the proceedings, unless they are given specific permission to do so by the individual or committee conducting the appeal.
• Witnesses may be called by any of the parties involved.
• A record of the SAHC hearing shall be prepared in the form of summary minutes or an audio recording.  This record and relevant attachments and will be provided to the student upon request.
• The Level 3 appeal reviewer assesses the available evidence, including the recommendation of the Student Academic Hearing Committee, when available, and makes a decision about the appeal based on the evidence and recommendation. The reviewer communicates the decision in writing via WVU e-mail to the student, and other individuals or committees that have been involved in the penalty or appeal to that point, including the Level 1 and 2 appeal reviewers. The reviewer retains all documentation related to the appeal for 5 years.
• The appeal is concluded.