Academic Policies and Procedures
Academic Actions
Student Affairs acts on all student issues, with the exception of grade appeals (please refer to the university catalog for information on appealing grades), and processes all academic actions for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the CHHS. Copies of any academic action filed on a student's behalf are placed in the student's permanent record.
Academic Appeals
The process for appealing academic procedures is detailed in the University Catalog.
Procedures for grade appeals is detailed in the University Catalog.
Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is federal law established to protect the privacy of student records. Student Affairs, as well as the entire CHHS, abides by these privacy guidelines. No confidential information will be communicated to a third party, including immediate family members, without the express consent of the student except when allowed under FERPA law.The Notification of Rights under FERPA and the Public Notice Designating Directory Information detail students' rights and the procedures implemented by the university to comply with FERPA. Both notices are published in the Schedule of Classes and are available on the registrar's website.
Honor Code
The Honor Code is an integral part of university life. Upon application to GMU, students sign a statement agreeing to conform to and uphold the Honor Code. The complete Honor Code is available through the Office of Academic Integrity. Students and faculty must report all alleged violations to the Honor Committee.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
The abuse of drugs and alcohol by members of the campus community is not compatible with the goals of the university. Use or possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia is prohibited on campus. The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is limited to those locations and circumstances authorized by university policy. Violations will be considered serious offenses and will be enforced according to the University Judicial Code. The complete drug and alcohol policy is published in the University Catalog.
CHHS HIV/HBV Policy
No student or faculty member is discriminated against or denied admission to the nursing program for the sole reason that the student of faculty member has been exposed to, infected, or diagnosed with HIV or HBV. In the event that a student has a clinical experience or practicum exposure to body fluids of a client, procedures and appropriate incident reports are to be completed according to institutional and nursing policies. A complete and detailed HIV/HBV policy is available in the CHHS Office of Student Affairs.
CHHS Professional Conduct Policy
The College of Health and Human Services reserves the right to place on probation, suspend, or dismiss any student from the program who does not demonstrate professional conduct. This includes, but is not limited to, verbal abuse, and/or insubordination, as well as behavior that threatens the safety of a client, another student, a faculty member, or other healthcare provider when the behaviors occurs within the context of the academic program. The student has the right to appeal.
Email Account
All students are required to have an active GMU email account.
Communication between faculty and student will be conducted through email.
The email account must be the GMU email account. If a student has an email account with another provider, he/she needs to arrange for GMU's email to be forwarded to that account. Faculty will only send email via GMU email.
Activate your GMU email account at http://masonlive.gmu.edu.
CHHS Health and Immunization Requirements
In order to comply with the regulations established by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the agencies to which students are assigned, and to minimize risks to student health, every student enrolled in a College of Health and Human Services program requiring clinical coursework must document and submit evidence of good health and currency in immunization requirements on admission to the CHHS. Immunization can be obtained from Student Health Services in SUB I on the Fairfax campus of GMU.
TB screening by Mantoux PPD within the past year is required on admission to the CHHS nursing programs and must be renewed annually based on the date of your most recent screening. Students who have previously had a positive skin test prior to admission to the College will be required to submit evidence of a normal chest X-ray and prophylactic treatment on admission. Students who convert to a positive skin test while enrolled will be required to provide documentation of a normal chest X-ray and appropriate prophylactic treatment before continuing in coursework.
Current CPR certification at a professional level is required and must be renewed annually. Either Basic Life Support from the American Red Cross or BLS for the Healthcare Provider from the American Heart Association is acceptable.
Students must submit copies of required health records to the Office of Student Affairs. The Office of Student Affairs may verify compliance for clinical agencies, but health records will not be released to any clinical agency without authorization from the student. Students should keep their own copies of health records available for clinical assignments, should the agency require documentation.
All costs associated with immunization and certifications are the responsibility of the student. Health records are confidential and subject to FERPA protections.
Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screens
Clinical agencies mandate that all students have a criminal background check. Failure to clear the criminal background check will prevent a student from entering or proceeding in nursing studies. Results of criminal background checks are confidential.
Any arrests, regardless of adjudication, occurring after acceptance and during enrollment in a nursing program must be reported to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. Failure to promptly notify the Assistant Dean may be grounds for dismissal from the program.
In some cases, clinical agencies may require a drug screen prior to entry into the clinical environment. CHHS does not presently conduct or record the results of drug screens. Any required screening will be conducted according to the policies of the clinical agency.
School of Nursing Polices and Procedures for Newly Admitted BSN Students
Please refer to the Nursing Orientation Website for academic polices and procedures specific to new BSN students in the School of Nursing.
Student Records
Student Records
Student Affairs maintains all student records for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the CHHS. These files include, but are not limited to, the following components:
- Advising records
- Academic Actions
- Clinical Evaluations
- Current nursing licenses, when applicable
The Office of Student Affairs maintains student files for all students matriculated in the College of Health and Human Services. These files contain notes and documents related to academic advising, academic records, and licenses when applicable. Some students are required to complete certifications (i.e. CPR), licensure (i.e. RN) and criminal background checks prior to entering clinical or practicum environments. These requirements and results are maintained by the School of Nursing. Criminal background checks are confidential and are filed securely and independently of all other student records. In some cases, other documentation deemed confidential will be kept separately from the student's primary file.
Advising Records
Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisors at least once per semester for curriculum planning. Program planning forms are used at the start of course work, and are used throughout the program to make any curriculum adjustments. Advisors also record notes of advising sessions in the student's file.
Clinical Evaluations
Clinical performance evaluations are placed in the student's file following completion of undergraduate clinical courses. These evaluations are completed by the instructor and signed by the student.
Health & Immunization Records
The College of Health and Human Services maintains health and immunization records independently of the University Student Health Services unit. Students submit copies of supporting health documents with the health form provided by the CHHS. The CHHS verifies compliance with health requirements before students are allowed to enter clinical and practicum environments. The CHHS does not release health documents from a student's file to any third party, but we will confirm compliance for clinical agencies. Students should keep originals of all health records and submit only copies to the CHHS, as health records will not be returned to the student once submitted. Students should also keep copies available should their clinical agency require documentation. Questions regarding the CHHS Health & Immunization Form can be directed to Ms.Pat Tope (ptope@gmu.edu or 703-993-1914).
CPR Certifications & Nursing Licenses
Students enrolled in the School of Nursing are required to maintain professional level CPR certification throughout their enrollment in nursing programs at GMU. Only the American Heart Association for Healthcare Providers (2-year certification) is accepted. No online courses are accepted. Copies of current CPR certification must be submitted to CHHS for inclusion in the student record.
Criminal Background Checks - This information is confidential and is filed securely and independently of other student records
When required by the student's program, a clinical agency, or a practicum placement, students will be required to complete a criminal background check. All criminal background checks are completely confidential and are maintained in a secure and independent file from other student records. Some criminal background check results may prevent a student from matriculating or continuing in their degree program with the CHHS. Students are responsible for notifying the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs of any arrests, regardless of adjudication, that occur while the student is enrolled in the CHHS.