ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES
Due Process
Doane University affirms its conviction that academic tenure, rightly understood and properly administered provides the most reliable means of assuring faculty quality and educational excellence, as well as the best guarantee of academic freedom. The full policies concerning due process in the areas of academics, promotion, tenure, and retention of undergraduate faculty can be found in the faculty handbook published yearly by the office of Academic Affairs. The Unit accepts the policies as stated in the Faculty Handbook as those that govern the Teacher Education Unit faculty.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Applicants for admission and employment or professional agreements are hereby notified that the University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, color, (dis)ability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class recognized by state or federal law in University academics, employment, or in its programs or activities. Sexual Harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking are prohibited forms of sex discrimination. Retaliation against any individuals who, in good faith, report illegal discrimination and/or harassment will not be tolerated.
Any person having inquiries concerning the University’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, of the Civil Rights Act 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, is directed to contact Laura Northup, Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator at laura.northup@doane.edu, titleix@doane.edu, or 1014 Boswell Ave. Crete, NE 68333, Padour Walker Building, Room 36; (402) 826-6773. Any person may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, regarding the institution’s compliance with the Regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504.
Access/Services for Students with Disabilities
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides that “no otherwise qualified disabled individual in the United States…shall, solely on the basis of disability, be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any institution receiving federal financial assistance.” This regulation requires that Doane programs are accessible to the disabled, but it does not require that every building or part of a building on campus is accessible. Some of the architectural barriers at course sites cannot be removed in the immediate future. Thus, it will be necessary to reschedule classes to accessible buildings or take other steps to open some of our programs to students with mobility impairments.
Students interested in services related to a disability should notify the University of any special circumstances that would affect their ability to compete equally in the University environment. To assist the University in providing services, qualified professionals upon request must provide documentation of such disabilities.
Students are encouraged to self-identify at any time by initiating the process described above. To initiate this process, students are encouraged to contact the following office before arriving on campus so their needs can be anticipated, reviewed, and accommodated: Graduate Education Office.
Grievance Procedure
updated August 2019
Doane University wants to ensure prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any discrimination or other conduct prohibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (20 U.S.C. 794.) If at any point a student, faculty or staff member believes that there has been a violation of ADA or Section 504, he or she should follow these steps:
- To file a grievance, the student, faculty or staff member must contact the University’s Section 504 Coordinator within 30 working days of the alleged discrimination or other conduct. (In special circumstances an extension may be granted for filing a grievance.) All grievances should be filed with Laura Northup, Director of Human Resources and the University’s designated Section 504 Coordinator. She may be contacted at (402) 826-6773 or via email at laura.northup@doane.edu.
- The 504 coordinator will make contact with the student or employee filing the grievance within two business days. The 504 coordinator will make a record of the meeting and may request person filing the complaint to present the grievance in writing.
- Upon review of the documentation and information gathering, the 504 coordinator will render a findings report to Doane University, the student bringing forth the grievance and the parents or guardian of the student if FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) permits or employee within 30 days after its filing.
- The person filing the complaint may request reconsideration of the report determination and findings if he or she is dissatisfied with the resolution. This request should be made to the Section 504 Coordinator within 10 working days. With such a request, the findings report will be provided to the appropriate Vice President (e.g., Enrollment and Student Experience, Finance and Administration, or Academic Affairs). The designated Vice President will be responsible for reviewing the report findings and resolution and making a determination. A copy of their written determination will be provided to the person filing the grievance within 10 working days of the request. The written determination will also be filed with the 504 Coordinator.
Violence and Unacceptable Behavior Policy
A basic tenet of our society is that every citizen has the right to security in both person and property. Our laws prohibit the physical abuse of persons, and the illegal appropriation and destruction of property. The effect of those laws is to provide a setting in which persons can realize their potential as social, political, economic, and creative beings.
Doane is a place of excitement and learning where all ages, abilities and disabilities, races, creeds, orientations, genders, identities, and ethnic and national origins have the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge toward goals which will make them effective citizens and promote their individual and group well-being.
Those students who do not share these goals, who flagrantly or consistently disrupt the educational process, or who physically abuse or harass, or attempt to physically abuse or harass, other persons in the Doane community will be subject to disciplinary consequences. Such individuals may be dismissed from school and may be subject to criminal charges. Similarly, students who do not respect the property of others, thereby degrading the quality of student life and increasing the cost of education, will be held liable for such damages and may be dismissed from the institution as well as be subject to criminal liability.
Moreover, students found diminishing the dignity of other members of the community through illegal harassment, including sexual harassment, hate speech, hate/bias incidents or other means of disparagement, which are unlawful or inconsistent with the University’s aspiration to produce citizens respectful and tolerant of the diversity of people, may be disciplined or dismissed from the University.
Doane University does not condone and will not tolerate violence of any king. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, violation of Doane’s Sexual Assault and Rape Policy, Doane’s Anti-Harassment Policy, and Doane’s Bias/Hate Incident Policy.
Sexual Assault and Rape Policy
Doane University, referred to as the “University”, is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment for all members of the University community. Our policy addresses the University’s responsibilities under Title IX, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”).
Doane University does not condone and will not tolerate sexual misconduct, sexual or gender-based harassment, intimate partner violence, stalking and all other terms defined in our §5.0 Title IX, Anti-Harassment, and Non-Discrimination Policy (collectively referred to as “Prohibited Conduct”). The full policy, including definitions, complaint and grievance processes, can be found here.
Bias/Hate Incident Policy
Members of the Doane University community are expected to demonstrate individual responsibility in showing consideration for the beliefs and feelings of others; abiding by federal, state and local laws; and demonstrating exemplary conduct. When a student’s behavior has direct implications for others and/or the well-being of the Doane community, there is cause for community involvement, regardless of where the situation occurs.
Doane University creates a social and academic environment where students develop awareness of diversity and multiculturalism, and how to function in a pluralistic and global society. Any behavior which threatens this environment will not be tolerated. To aid the University in responding to incidents of bias and hate, an Advocacy Response Team has been created which will offer support and assistance to victims as well as insuring any incident is documented properly. Please contact the Student Leadership Office on the Crete campus. Bias/hate incidents include, but are not limited to, attempted or actual harassment or violence based wholly or in part on the victim’s membership in a legally protected class, or based on the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity. See also the Anti-Harassment policy and the Violence and Unacceptable Behavior Policy.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Preventing and Addressing Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation & Reporting Procedures
Doane University (the “University”) believes that diversity is our strength and is committed to an inclusive community that values all community members so all may live, learn, and work in a safe environment, free from illegal discrimination and illegal harassment.
The University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, color, (dis)ability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class recognized by state or federal law in University academics, employment, or in its programs or activities. Retaliation against any individuals who, in good faith, report illegal discrimination and/or harassment will not be tolerated.
The full policy, including definitions, complaint and grievance processes, can be found here.
Privacy of Education Records
The Family Educational Right and Privacy Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as “FERPA” or the “Buckley Amendment”) is designed to give students access to their records to assure accuracy and to protect the confidentiality of students’ educational records. It limits access to a student’s academic records by anyone other than the student, including parents, spouse, or employer, without the student’s written permission. Academic records include, but are not limited to, grades, course schedules, account balances, and financial aid monies. Doane’s policy is not to release academic information such as grades or a student’s course schedule over the phone to anyone, including the student.
FERPA does allow the university to provide directory information without consent. Directory information includes: name, address, phone number, email, birth date, field of study, dates of attendance, nature of any degrees granted and dates conferred, honors and awards earned, and photograph. For example, Doane releases names of graduates and degrees conferred to local newspapers and will confirm your degree to future employers. If you wish to have your directory information withheld, please contact the Registrar’s Office. FERPA also outlines when information may be disclosed without a student’s consent. For example, if your records are subpoenaed by the state.
For more information on FERPA, and to see the entire FERPA Policy, please visit the Registrar’s web page on the Doane website at www.doane.edu. Questions and concerns can be sent to the Registrar at registraroffice@doane.edu. By submitting an admissions application, students acknowledge that they have read and understand the above information about Disclosure of Academic Records within FERPA.
Policies for Classroom and School-Based Projects in Curriculum and Instruction, School Counseling, Educational Leadership and Education Specialist
- Graduate students design a qualitative action research project under faculty supervision. The purpose of these projects is to learn the research process in an authentic setting.
- Graduate students follow the ethical practices established by Doane University, and the qualitative research community (Spradley, 1980). The Doane University Human Subjects Research Ethical Standards are: 1) voluntary participation, 2) no harm to participants, 3) anonymity and confidentiality, 4) informed consent, 5) inform participants of purpose, 6) analysis and reporting, 7) researchers are value free or state values. Spradley presents a parallel list of six ethical principles. They are 1) consider informants first, 2) safeguard informants’ rights, interests, and sensitivities, 3) communicate research objectives, 4) protect the privacy of informants, 5) do not exploit informants, and 6) make reports available to informants. All graduate students inform their local building principal of their project emphasis.
- Graduate faculty members approve the action research topic in EDU 603, EDL 687, EDL 695, ESD 820 or ESD 930. Topics for final projects focus on teaching or leadership practices to positively strengthen student learning and promote effective leadership for schools. These projects support the local school improvement plan for academic and social growth in areas specified by the Nebraska State Standards.
- Graduate students are expected to complete their local district’s approval process for completion and dissemination of action research projects.
- A part of the final project includes sharing the results with a professional community. Results of the graduate student’s culminating project may be distributed by presentations to: 1) members of the professional community at local districts or schools; 2) students in other undergraduate or graduate courses; and/or 3) project advisers. In addition, some final action reports are shared with members of regional or professional accreditation teams. Annually project abstracts are compiled in the Orange Book. Graduate students may submit their projects for presentation at a local or regional conference.
- At a graduate student’s request, Doane faculty will support their efforts to submit a manuscript for publication in a professional journal. Graduate students are expected to obtain written approval of their local district prior to manuscript submission. Graduate students must submit their manuscript to the Doane University IRB review board before submission to a professional journal.
Institutional Review Board
Curriculum & Instruction/School Counseling Exemption Request Form - Revised November, 2008
Educational Leadership Exemption Request Form - Revised November, 2008
Education Specialist Exemption Form - Revised October, 2010
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