NLU PA Program — Didactic Year Handbook
the requested remedy, and any applicable deadline. Appeals are not granted solely because a student disagrees with a decision when the applicable policy does not provide a basis for appeal.
XVII. Conflicts of Interest and Impartial Review
A person shall not participate as the sole decision-maker in a grievance or appeal when that person is the subject of the complaint, has a direct personal interest in the outcome, has a significant conflict of interest, previously made the decision being appealed (and is not authorized to participate in the appeal), or otherwise presents a reasonable concern regarding impartiality. When appropriate, the Program Director may refer the matter to the Department Chair, Dean, Student Affairs, Senior Academic Officer, Title IX Coordinator, or another authorized official.
XVIII. Confidentiality and FERPA
The Program protects student educational records consistent with FERPA and applicable NLU policies. Information concerning a grievance is shared only with individuals who have a legitimate educational, administrative, investigative, safety, or legal need to know. Confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed when disclosure is required by law, necessary to protect health or safety, or necessary to conduct a fair investigation.
XIX. Non-Retaliation
Retaliation is prohibited. No student shall be penalized, threatened, intimidated, disadvantaged, dismissed, academically sanctioned, denied access to educational opportunities, or otherwise subjected to adverse treatment because the student filed a good-faith grievance or appeal, reported harassment, discrimination, or unsafe clinical conditions, participated in an investigation, served as a witness, assisted another student in raising a concern, or exercised a protected right. Students who experience retaliation should contact the Assistant Dean of Students or designee; any allegation of retaliation is evaluated independently of the underlying grievance when appropriate.
XX. Interim Measures
When a grievance or report presents a potential concern involving safety, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, patient welfare, or significant disruption to the educational environment, the Program or University may implement reasonable interim measures, such as temporary reassignment of faculty, temporary change of clinical site, modified communication or no-contact directives, academic support, counseling referral, temporary clinical removal, or alternative educational arrangements. Interim measures are not a finding that misconduct occurred.
XXI. External Complaint Processes
Students are encouraged to use NLU’s internal resolution processes before pursuing external complaints when appropriate. NLU publishes information regarding external complaint avenues, including the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Florida Department of Education (when applicable), the Higher Learning Commission, and other applicable state agencies. Nothing in this policy prevents a student from exercising
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