participation in an inves tigation; separate individuals when necessary to avoid conflicts of interest; maintain appropriate documentation; protect student educational records consistent with FERPA; refer University - wide matters to the appropriate NLU office; inform students of app licable external complaint processes; and review grievance and appeal data as part of ongoing program assessment and continuous quality improvement. III. Guiding Principles All grievance and appeal processes are guided by: Fairness (students may present their concerns before a final determination, when applicable); Consistency (published policies applied consistently to similarly situated students); Transparency (students informed of the process, decision- maker, deadlines, and appeal rights); Non-Retaliation (no student subject to retaliation for a good- faith complaint, grievance, report, or appeal); Confidentiality (information handled as confidentially as reasonably possible); Impartiality (individuals with a conflict of interest do not participate in the decision); Educational Continuity (interim steps taken to minimize disruption where appropriate); and Due Process (procedural protections established by NLU policy, the Academic Catalog, the Student Guidebook, and applicable law). IV. Definitions Academic Grievance - a concern alleging that an academic decision was made incorrectly, inconsistently, contrary to published policy, or without following established procedures (e.g., course grades, academic evaluation, progression, remediation, clinical evaluation, standing, dismissal where appealable, or program completion decisions). Appeal - a formal request for reconsideration of an eligible decision. Complaint - a concern regarding an action, practice, decision, service, or experience a student believes should be addressed. Grievance - a formal matter requiring investigation or review under an applicable process. Harassment and Discrimination - conduct prohibited by applicable University policy or law, including conduct based on a protected characteristic or covered by NLU’s harassment, discrimination, sexual respect, or Title IX policies. Retaliation - adverse or threatened adverse action taken because an individual made a good-faith complaint, grievance, report, or appeal, or participated in an investigation. Responding Party - the individual or entity whose action, decision, conduct, or omission is the subject of a complaint or grievance. V. Relationship to NLU University Policies The NLU MSPAS Program operates within the policies and procedures of National Louis University. This policy does not replace University- wide policies; where a matter falls within a University-wide policy or procedure, the University policy controls. Students
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