University Policies and Federal Laws

University Policies and Federal Laws

Academic Dishonesty

Link to Academic Integrity video

SECTION I:  Expectations of the University

Fundamental to our mission, our core values, and our reputation, Doane University adheres to high academic standards. Students of Doane University are expected to conduct themselves in a manner reflecting personal and professional integrity. Disciplinary actions may result when students whose academic behavior is not congruent with the expectations of the University. Students are responsible for adhering to the standards detailed in this policy. Not being familiar with these standards does not mean that the students will not be accountable for adherence.

SECTION II:  Scope, Limitations, and Applicability

This policy is for academic integrity violations occurring in or because of academic coursework and activities associated with taking and completing courses at Doane University. The Doane University Student Handbook discusses policies and processes for non‐academic offenses.

SECTION III:  Violations of Academic Integrity

In general, Doane University expects that a student will

• pursue their academic endeavors with honesty,
• acknowledge and adhere to the expectations and guidelines in the syllabus,
• follow instructions for assessments as specified by the faculty member, and
• ask faculty for clarification if there are any questions.

An academic integrity violation includes, but is not limited to

1. Falsification or Fabrication: Making any oral or written statement, which the individual knows, or should have known, to be untrue. Falsification is the alteration of information, while fabrication is the invention or counterfeiting of information. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Making a false statement to faculty, University employees, or fellow students.
• Submitting contrived or altered information in any academic exercise. Examples: making up data for an experiment, citing nonexistent articles, contriving reference sources.
• Giving a false excuse for missing an examination, quiz, or assignment deadline.
• Falsely claiming to have submitted a paper or assignment.

2. Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, material, device, or a study aid in an examination or other academic work, or preventing, or attempting to prevent, another from using authorized assistance, material, or study aids. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Using an unauthorized aid, material, electronic resource (e.g., website), or electronic device (e.g., cell phone or tablet) for an examination, quiz, or assignment.
• Copying from another student’s work.
• Copying another student’s answers during individual quizzes or examinations.
• Altering a graded exam and resubmitting it for a better grade without instructor authorization.
• Buying, selling, possessing, soliciting, transmitting, or using material purported to be the unreleased content of any assignment, including examinations and quizzes.
• Bribing or soliciting any person to obtain or to provide any information relating to examinations, quizzes, or other assignments outside of the bounds of the instructions for the assessment.
• Acting as a substitute for another person during an examination or other assessment.

3. Collusion and/or Complicity: Collaborating with one or more individuals without instructor approval, on any examination, quiz, computer or laboratory work, or any other assignment or assessment. Collusion includes exchanging or facilitating the exchange of materials or ideas verbally or non-verbally. Complicity includes helping or attempting to help another student to commit an act of academic dishonesty.

4. Plagiarism: Using the ideas, data, presentation, or language of another without specific or proper acknowledgment in academic work. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Quoting word-for-word from a source without using quotation marks and appropriate citation.
• Summarizing and paraphrasing ideas without acknowledging the source.
• Submitting a paper that was not authored by the student taking the course (e.g., written by another person, paper obtained from a commercial source).
• Failing to verbally acknowledge one or more sources during an oral presentation.

5. Multiple Submissions:  Submitting, without prior permission, academic work that has been previously submitted in identical or similar form to fulfill another academic requirement without instructor authorization. Examples include, but are not limited to, submitting the same paper for credit in two different courses.

SECTION IV:  Reporting of Violations

Faculty are expected to follow the process for reporting academic integrity violations in order to maintain the expectations of the University. The protocol for faculty to report all violations allows the University to maintain a record and documentation of all incidents in a student’s file. A faculty member may be unaware that a student has had a prior violation and that a new violation would require additional reviews and/or consequences. Students and faculty are prohibited from proposing and/or entering into an arrangement with an instructor to receive a grade of “F” or any other reduction in grade in a course or on an academic exercise in lieu of being charged with a violation of the academic integrity policy. Additionally, a student is not permitted to drop the course as a means to avoid being charged with a violation. Students are encouraged to report suspected or known violations of academic integrity to appropriate faculty, staff, or administrators.

SECTION V:  Consequences for an Academic Integrity Violation

Possible consequences for an academic integrity violation include, but are not limited to:

Course-Level Consequences (one or more to be specified by the faculty member of the course):

• Warning on academic integrity and what constitutes a violation
• Requiring the student to redo the assignment or examination
• Lowering the student’s grade for the assignment or examination
• Assigning a zero or failing grade for the assignment or examination
• Lowering the student’s grade for the course
• Assigning the student a failing grade for the course
• Referral to academic support office for assistance with academic needs
• Referral to Academic Integrity Subcommittee for additional review

University-Level Consequences (to be specified by the Academic Integrity Committee or the Appeal Committee):

• Suspension from a program or the University
• Dismissal from a program or the University

SECTION VI:  Academic Integrity Process

NOTE: The specified timeline for actions and decisions can potentially be lengthened due to circumstances (e.g. school breaks, unavailability of individuals), though those involved should seek to resolve the issue in a timely manner, and communicate and agree upon any changes to the timeline as soon as possible.

STEP 1: Identification of Violation.

The faculty member identifies an alleged academic integrity violation.

STEP 2:  Reporting a Violation.

1. The faculty member contacts the student in a timely manner regarding the alleged violation to request a discussion with the student (in person or via technology). For purposes of this process, the day when the faculty member contacts the student is considered Day One. The discussion between the student and faculty should take place within five (5) business days of the faculty member identifying an alleged violation.
2. The student has two (2) business days to provide the faculty member with his or her own written summary detailing the incident, to provide any relevant documentation or evidence, and to describe any related circumstances. The student can submit this material using the following online form: http://bit.ly/DU-integrity-student. If the student chooses to not have a discussion with the faculty member and/or does not provide a written explanation, the faculty member should move forward with the process and note that the student did not participate.
3. The faculty member has up to three (3) business days to render a decision:

• A violation did not occur.  The process ends and no details are recorded or submitted.
• A violation did occur.  The faculty member is encouraged to consult with his or her relevant administrator for the course (e.g., Department Chair, Division Chair, Program Director, or Dean) to discuss the violation and proposed Course Level consequence(s). The faculty member must specify a consequence(s) and submit all relevant documentation and actions to the Registrar’s Office using an online form: http://bit.ly/DU-integrity.  As part of the submission form, a faculty member can indicate if the issue is egregious and should be forwarded to the Academic Integrity Subcommittee for additional review. The Registrar’s office will forward a copy of the completed Academic Integrity submission to the respective Dean of the course. 

4. The faculty member has one (1) business day to notify the student of his or her decision and the Course Level consequence(s), if applicable.

STEP 3: Documentation

1. The Registrar’s Office will review the Academic Integrity Violation submission. If it is the first violation for a student and the faculty member did not recommend that it be forwarded to the Academic Integrity Subcommittee, the Registrar’s Office will record the incident in the student’s file.
2. If the student disagrees with the faculty member’s decision, within two (2) business days of being notified by the faculty member, the student must submit a disagreement letter to the Academic Integrity Subcommittee outlining their disagreement with the alleged violation and/or disagreement with the consequence(s). The student must address the letter to the Academic Integrity Committee and submit it to the Registrar’s Office (registraroffice@doane.edu). The disagreement letter must include discussion of any evidence or additional circumstances.
3. The Registrar will forward the incident to the faculty Academic Integrity Subcommittee if any of the following exists:

• The student has a prior academic integrity violation.
• The student submits a disagreement letter as to whether a violation occurred and/or disagrees with the consequence(s).
• The faculty member recommends that the violation be forwarded to the Academic Integrity subcommittee.

4. The Registrar’s Office will notify the student either that the violation has been recorded in his or her academic file or that it will be reviewed by the Academic Integrity Subcommittee.

STEP 4: Academic Integrity Subcommittee Deliberation

1. The Academic Integrity Subcommittee will deliberate regarding academic integrity violation cases that have been submitted to the committee for a decision. The Academic Integrity Subcommittee will perform due diligence in reviewing a violation. As part of the review, the committee will review all relevant documentation and may consult with relevant involved parties such as students, faculty, staff, or administrators for information, guidance, and/or clarification. The committee will determine:

• Whether an academic integrity violation occurred and/or
• What type of academic integrity violation occurred.

2. After determination of a violation, the Academic Integrity Subcommittee will make a determination to support the proposed Course Level consequence(s) or determine different Course Level consequence(s) to ensure consistency across the University and/or impose a University Level consequence(s) for the violation, taking into consideration the decision of the faculty member and the prior academic integrity violations of the student.
3. The majority decision of the Academic Integrity Subcommittee will be shared with the Registrar’s Office. Within two (2) business days, the Registrar’s Office will communicate the decision to the student, the faculty member, and the respective Dean of the course.

STEP 5: Appeal Process

1. A student has the right to appeal the Academic Integrity Subcommittee decision. Within five (5) business days of being notified by the Registrar’s Office of the Academic Integrity Subcommittee decision, a student can submit a written appeal to the respective Dean of the course that must address one or both of the following issues for appeal:

• new evidence that was not reviewed by the Academic Integrity Subcommittee and/or
• any evidence that the review process was improper or unfair.

2. An appeal letter that does not clearly identify one or both of the issues listed above shall be dismissed without further consideration. The respective Dean of the course will make an initial assessment of a valid appeal after reviewing the incident file provided by the Registrar’s Office and, if necessary, by communicating with relevant parties such as staff or administrators.

• For a valid appeal request, the respective Dean of the course, will schedule a meeting of an Appeal Committee within ten (10) days consisting of:
  • Chief Academic Officer (or designee), who will serve as chair
  • Dean (or administrative designee) of each College
  • Two full-time faculty members appointed by the Faculty Council who teach outside of the department of the student, have had minimal academic interaction with the student, and who have been at the Doane University at least one year; and
  • Registrar (or designee).

The Registrar and respective Dean of the course can be participants in the discussions but will be non-voting members in determining a course of action. All members or their designees must participate for deliberation and decision.

3. The Appeal Committee will perform due diligence in reviewing an incident. As part of the due diligence, the Committee will review all relevant documentation and may consult with relevant involved parties such as students, faculty, Academic Integrity Subcommittee, staff, or administrators for information, guidance, and/or clarification. The Committee will review the prior decisions for consequence(s) by the faculty member and by the Academic Integrity Subcommittee, as well as review the history in the student’s file.
4. The Appeal Committee will make a determination to support the consequence(s) or determine different Course Level consequence(s) to ensure consistency across the University or impose a University Level consequence(s) for the violation.
5. A majority decision by the Appeal Committee is final and ends the appeal process for an academic integrity violation.
6. Within two (2) business days, the Registrar’s office will communicate the majority decision of the Appeal Committee to the student, the faculty member, and the Academic Integrity Subcommittee.

The policy is based off of similar academic integrity policies developed by Nebraska Methodist College and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Academic Grievance Policy

The grievance process for an academic concern provides an impartial review of an academic conflict or issue to ensure that the rights of a student are properly recognized and protected.  No adverse action will be taken against a student who chooses to utilize this process.

This process is to be used for instances in which a student has an academic concern regarding a decision perceived to be arbitrary, capricious, or applied unequally and impacts the student’s academic progression.

Separate policies and processes are in place for the following: Grade Appeal Process, Violence & Unacceptable Behavior Policy, Sexual Assault and Rape Policy, Bias/Hate Incident Policy, Anti-Harassment Policy, and ADA Grievance Procedure.

Valid reasons for initiating the grievance process include, but are not limited to,

• a failure to follow published course, program, or University policies,
• a lack of consistency within the student’s course section, or
• a decision that was motivated by ill will.

The following are NOT valid reasons for initiating the grievance process: (i) a disagreement with the application of course policies and/or grading standards, (ii) the requirements or examination standards of an academic program, (iii) issues regarding program accreditation requirements, (iv) concerns over professionally acceptable teaching approaches, (v) differing personalities, and (vi) differences in classroom policies or grading schemes in different courses or between different sections of the same course.  The grievance process should not be initiated simply due to its impact on a student’s academic progress and standing, ability to receive or maintain a scholarship or monetary award, ability to maintain recognition of distinction, or eligibility for a club or organization.

The academic grievance process for an academic concern must be initiated no later than one (1) month from the occurrence of the concern.  A student is encouraged to talk with their advisor, the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs (Crete-campus), or Campus Director (Lincoln and Omaha campus locations) to offer an assessment of the concern and to clarify the steps of the grievance process.

Grievance Steps

STEP 1:  A student is encouraged to pursue a good-faith attempt at informally resolving the academic concern.  The student will communicate the concern to the involved individual (e.g., faculty member, program director, or Dean) to find a solution.  If needed, the student can contact the Office of Academic Affairs (Crete-campus) or the Campus Director (Lincoln and Omaha campus locations) for assistance in contacting the individual.  A student may be requested to put their concern and request in writing. Within five (5) working days from the time the student raises the concern, the involved individual will evaluate the concern, render a decision or response, and notify the student.  As part of their evaluation, the involved individual may schedule a follow-up conversation with the student and may consult University faculty, staff, or administrators for clarification and/or guidance. If the involved individual does not act on or resolve the concern to the reasonable satisfaction of the student, the student can initiate STEP 2 of the grievance process.  

STEP 2:  Within five (5) working days of the student being notified by the involved individual of their decision or response, the student writes a notification letter specifying the following:

• a statement of facts as the student perceives them, citing specific instances where, in the student’s opinion, policies and procedures were violated or were unfairly applied;
• a summary of the outcome from STEP 1;
• the remedy sought by the student; and
• the best method to communicate with the student (phone, e-mail, etc.).

The student is encouraged to seek guidance from an Appeal Advisor in regards to their concern and the development of this letter.  The Office of Academic Affairs can provide the name of an Appeal Advisor.

The student provides their notification letter to the supervisor of the involved individual (e.g., an issue regarding a faculty member would go to the respective department chair, program director, or dean). The Appeal Advisor or the Office of Academic Affairs can offer clarification on the appropriate supervisor. Within ten (10) working days from receipt of the letter, the supervisor will evaluate the concern, render a decision or response, and notify the student. As part of their evaluation, the supervisor may schedule a conversation with the student and may consult University faculty, staff, or administrators for clarification and/or guidance. If the supervisor does not act on or resolve the concern to the reasonable satisfaction of the student, within ten (10) days of being notified of the decision, the student can initiate STEP 3 of the grievance process.  

STEP 3:  The student provides their notification letter to the appropriate Dean. A student can contact an Appeal Advisor or the Office of Academic Affairs for clarification on the appropriate Dean for the issue. If the Dean was the supervisor in STEP 2, the student can initiate STEP 4. Within ten (10) working days of receipt of the letter, the Dean will evaluate the concern, render a decision or response, and notify the student. As part of their evaluation, the Dean may schedule a conversation with the student and may consult University faculty, staff, or administrators for clarification and/or guidance. If the Academic Dean does not act on or resolve the concern to the reasonable satisfaction of the student, within ten (10) days of being notified of the decision, the student can initiate STEP 4 of the grievance process.  

STEP 4:  The student can submit a written appeal to the Office of Academic Affairs.  In the appeal, the student provides their prior notification letter and also addresses one or both of the following issues for appeal:

• new evidence that was not reviewed in prior steps and/or
• any evidence that the review process was improper or unfair.

An appeal that does not clearly identify one or both of the issues listed above shall be dismissed without further consideration. The Provost will make an initial assessment of an appeal after reviewing the incident file and, if necessary, by communicating with relevant parties such as staff or administrators. For a valid appeal request, the Office of Academic Affairs will convene an Appeal Committee consisting of

• Chief Academic Officer (or designee), will serve as Chair,
• Dean (or administrative designee) of each of the colleges, and
• two full-time faculty members appointed by the Faculty Council who teach outside of the department of the student, have had minimal academic interaction with the student, and have been at Doane University for at least one year.

The Dean from STEP 3 can participate in the discussions but will be a non-voting member in determining a course of action.  As part of the evaluation, the committee may schedule a conversation with the student and may consult other University faculty, staff, or administrators for guidance and/or clarification.  A majority decision by the ad-hoc committee is final and ends the appeal process for an academic grievance.  Once a decision is rendered, the student will be notified.

Access/Services for Students with Disabilities

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (section 504) and the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) provide 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 be accessible to the disabled, but it does not require that every building or part of a building be accessible. Thus, it may be necessary to reschedule classes to accessible classrooms or take other steps to open some of the programs to students with mobility impairments.

There is no Special Education at the college level.  Educational rights covered by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act) do not apply to postsecondary education.  Colleges must comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Civil Rights Restoration Act.  College students have civil rights, but no “education” rights.

Postsecondary institutions are required to:

• Make all programs and services physically accessible to all students 
• Provide auxiliary aids, notetakers, and appropriate equipment to ensure the participation of students with disabilities in college classes and activities 
• Accommodate the academic participation of qualified students with disabilities in college classes and activities

Postsecondary institutions are not required to:

• Provide specific auxiliary aids as long as the college provides a method of assistance that allows equal opportunity 
• Provide academic modifications if these modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the course or program or place undue burden on the institution 
• Lower admission criteria for applicants with disabilities 
• Diagnose a disability or conduct testing and assessment of learning difficulties, physical, or mental impairments 
• Provide personal attendants 
• Provide personal or private tutors 
• Prepare “Individualized Education Programs” (IEP’s)

1. Students interested in services for a diagnosed 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, documentation of such disabilities must be provided by qualified professionals upon request, unless the disability is easily discernible by university personnel.
2. While students are encouraged to self-identify at the earliest possible time, they can access services at any time by initiating the process and contacting the ADA Director for the university.
3. To initiate this process, students are encouraged to contact the ADA Director.

For further information, refer to Federal Disclosure Information.  See Student Handbook for grievance procedure.

Access to University Records FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts of 1974 is designed to protect the confidentiality of students’ educational records and to give students access to their records to assure accuracy. FERPA outlines four rights with respect to students Education Records. They are

1. Access to Education Records: Students have the right to inspect and review their Education Records within 45 days of the day the University receives a written request for access, anytime after their matriculation.
2. Request for Amendment of Education Records: Students have the right to request amendment of Education Records if they believe the records are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights.
3. Disclosure of Education Records: This right protects confidentiality of student records and requires the student’s signature to release academic records, such as transcripts. Some exceptions exist such as school officials who’ve been determined to have a legitimate educational interest, or information determined to be directory information. Examples of directory information include: name, addresses, email, telephone numbers, major and/or minor fields of study, degree sought, expected date of completion of degree requirements and graduation, degrees conferred, awards and honors (e.g. Dean’s list), full or part time enrollment status, dates of attendance, or photograph.
4. Compliance: Students have the right to submit complaints concerning the University’s compliance with the requirement of FERPA to the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, Student Privacy Policy Office, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20202-8520. Students may obtain a complaint form at https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/file-a-complaint.

For more information on FERPA, or to view the entire FERPA policy, please visit the Registrar’s web page or office.

Anti-harassment Policy

A fundamental policy of the university is that employees and students at the university should be able to work and study at the university in an environment free of discrimination and any form of harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, handicap, or marital status. To further this fundamental policy, the university prohibits the harassment of any student and the prohibition extends to harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, handicap, or marital status. Harassment is counterproductive to the university’s goals and will not be tolerated. Such behavior is unacceptable because it is a form of unprofessional behavior threatening the academic freedom and personal integrity of others. Failure to follow this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension.

The type of harassment that is prohibited may take many forms and includes, without limitation, verbal harassment (derogatory comments and/or slurs), physical harassment (assault or physical interference), visual harassment (posters, cartoons, drawings), use of the Internet or email to harass or embarrass, and innuendo or false rumors. Further, harassment includes conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive academic environment. Harassment is prohibited both during normal work or school hours and outside the normal school hours if such harassment is determined by the university to affect the normal student/faculty/staff relationships.

Harassment can take a number of forms, but of particular concern is sexual harassment, which is a violation of state and federal law. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct, and other verbal or physical conduct, or visual forms of harassment of a sexual nature.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following forms:

• Unwelcome or unwanted advances, including sexual advances. This means patting, pinching, brushing up against, hugging, cornering, kissing, fondling, or any other similar physical contact.
• Unwelcome requests or demands for favors, including sexual favors. This includes subtle or blatant expectations, pressures, or requests for any type of favor, including a sexual favor, whether or not it is accompanied by an implied or stated promise of preferential treatment or negative consequences concerning academic or employment status.
• Verbal abuse or kidding that is oriented toward a prohibited form of harassment, including that which is sex-oriented and considered unwelcome. This includes offensive comments which harass an individual based upon their sex, race, age, national origin, disability, or marital status; telling “dirty jokes” that are inappropriate and considered offensive; or any tasteless, sexually-oriented comments, innuendoes, or actions that offend.
• Creating an academic environment that is intimidating, hostile, abusive, or offensive because of unwelcome or unwanted conversations, suggestions, requests, demands, physical contacts, or attentions, whether sexually-oriented or otherwise related to a prohibited form of harassment.

The university’s concern is to provide an academic environment that is comfortable for students, advisors, and staff; conducive to the academic enterprise; and free from this type of behavior. This policy is written to be sure that everyone understands our intent to provide an academic environment free of harassment.

Obviously, the university cannot prevent violations of this policy unless such behavior is observed or the university is told of the violations. Any complaints will be kept confidential, and any person can be assured that they will not suffer negative consequences as a result of bringing their concerns to the university’s attention. Failure of any person involved in the investigation of a harassment complaint to keep the complaint confidential shall be a separate violation of this policy. A separate violation shall also occur if any retaliatory action is taken against or directed at any person who has made a harassment complaint. Violations will result in disciplinary action. The university reserves the right to provide information regarding any harassment complaint or retaliatory conduct to the necessary legal authorities if the university, in its sole discretion, believes illegal conduct has occurred.

Consensual amorous relationships between faculty and students are also considered unethical under this policy because of the inherently asymmetrical nature of the relationship between students and faculty. Due to the possibility of abuse of power, or the appearance of such abuse, faculty are warned that any romantic involvement with a student makes them liable to formal disciplinary action if a complaint is initiated by the student.

Faculty may not participate in activities or decisions that may reward or penalize a student with whom the faculty member has or has had a consensual amorous relationship. Any person may file a complaint regarding a violation of this rule.

Procedures Regarding Complaints of Harassment

Definition of Terms

Complainant means a person who alleges harassment.

Respondent means a person against whom harassment is alleged.

An individual who feels they have been the object of harassment should so advise the dean OR has the option of reporting harassment to an advisor. The complainant has the option to specify that the administrator receiving the complaint select a neutral party as the investigator.

The following procedures will be adhered to:

• The person bringing the complaint will suffer no retaliation.
• Complainants charging harassment must file a formal written complaint within thirty (30) calendar days of the alleged act of sexual harassment to the appropriate personnel specified above.
• Investigation of the complaint will be conducted promptly and will be completed within thirty (30) days of the filing of the complaint.
• The identity of all parties involved and all material gathered will be treated as confidential information.
• If any other faculty or administrator is contacted by a complainant, such faculty or administrator shall advise the complainant to notify the appointed investigator. The contacted faculty or administrator shall take no action with regard to this matter.

Informal Investigation Procedures

After the formal written complaint has been received, the investigator will

1. Meet with the complainant to determine the nature and extent of the alleged incident. A record of information furnished by the complainant shall be made.
2. Meet with the person accused of harassment and inform them that a complaint of harassment has been made against them. A record of information furnished by the person accused of harassment shall be made.
3. Meet with witnesses, if any, and record the information gathered.
4. Determine if the educational or work situation of the complainant is threatened and, if so, take appropriate corrective measures.
5. Conclude the informal investigation in a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, with one of the following findings:
   1. Resolve the matter to the satisfaction of both the complainant and the person accused of harassment, including appropriate disciplinary action if deemed necessary. The goal of all preliminary discussions is mediation, conciliation, and correction.
   2. Find that the parties are unable to resolve the matter informally, in which case the investigator shall decide whether the complaint should be pursued through the formal procedure process or be dealt with by appropriate administrative action.
6. Both the complainant and respondent may appeal the informal resolution decision of the investigator through the formal procedure process.
7. If no formal procedure or appeal procedure takes place, all records of the informal procedure shall be kept in a confidential file in the office of the central administration.

Formal Procedure/Appeal Procedure

Hearing Panel Formation

If the investigator finds that the complaint should be adjudicated through a formal procedure because the informal resolution was impossible or if either the complainant or respondent appeals the investigator’s informal resolution, such complaining or appealing party shall file a complaint or appeal with the President. In this event, the following procedures will apply

• A formal hearing panel shall be convened of the various constituencies of the university (faculty, administrative staff, support staff, and students) to include an appropriate combination of faculty, staff, and/or students.
• The Provost shall chair the hearing and select the panel, conferring with appropriate deans/vice presidents/directors.

The Hearing Panel may consist of

1. a combination of two/three faculty members to represent the faculty,
2. two/three administrative staff to represent the administrative staff,
3. two/three support staff employees to represent the support staff, and
4. two/three student leaders to represent the student body.

Both the complainant and the respondent may challenge the participation of any member of the formal hearing panel. If a challenge is granted by the chair, substitutes will be selected by the chair as long as the composition includes equal membership of each group represented in the case.

The purpose of the hearing will be to hear the evidence that had been presented and uphold or recommend a change in the disposition of the complaint. New evidence may be introduced at this time. The complainant and respondent will both be present for the hearing.

Hearing Panel Procedures

The Hearing Panel shall observe the following guidelines:

• An opening statement by the chair regarding the nature of the case, the identification of the parties involved, and the nature of the allegations.
• The sequence of presentation of evidence:

1. Complainant presents evidence.
2. Respondent presents evidence.
3. Complainant presents rebuttal evidence.
4. Respondent presents rebuttal evidence.
5. The investigating administrator presents additional evidence that was accumulated during the initial investigation of the incident.

• Closing statements

Hearing Panel Decision

The Hearing Panel shall determine, by majority vote, if a violation of the Harassment Policy occurred and the appropriateness of the disciplinary action. The chairperson of the Hearing Committee shall forward the Committee’s written recommendation to the complainant and the respondent.

Final Appeal

Because of the nature of harassment and because it affects everyone connected with the university, the formal/appeal procedures are designed specifically for cases involving harassment. Both complainant and respondent may appeal the decision of the Formal Procedure/Appeal Procedure Hearing Panel to the university President. The President’s decision is final.

Confidentiality

All communications from the time the complaint is filed will be confidential. All of the members of the hearing panel are required to refrain from discussing the contents of the case with anyone. The confidentiality of the proceedings is of the utmost importance to all of the parties involved.

Information about harassment cases will not be released publicly unless it is deemed necessary and approved by the President to prevent alarm among university employees and students and the external public (i.e., prospective students and parents). If information about a case is released, the names of all parties involved will remain confidential.

Withdrawal of the Complaint

The complainant may withdraw their complaint at any time during the procedures. If the complaint is withdrawn prior to final resolution, all records of the investigation and proceedings will be kept in a confidential file in the office of the appropriate administrators and there will be no notation of the incident on either party’s educational or employment records.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

The State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreement is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs.  It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.  Nebraska is a member of SARA, and Doane University is a participating institution in SARA.

Complaints can be sent to SARA@doane.edu.  In the event that a complaint cannot be resolved at the University level, a student may contact the Nebraska State portal agency.

State Portal Agency Contact
Kathleen L. Fimple, Ph.D., Acad. Program Officer
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Ed.
P.O. Box 95005
Lincoln, NE 68509-5005
1.402.471.0030
kathleen.fimple@nebraska.gov

If you are not a resident of the State of Nebraska, you have the option of filing a complaint with your state licensing authority or with the Higher Learning Commission.

Title IX Policy Statement

Doane University is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment for all members of the University community that is free of all forms of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The University’s Title IX Policy addresses our 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”).

Person(s) wishing to bring a complaint involving any prohibited conduct noted above may contact Anne Ziola, Director of Human Resources at anne.ziola@doane.edu or 1014 Boswell Ave., Crete, NE 68333; (402) 826-6773, the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@doane.edu, or to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Washington, D.C., 20202.

Information Technology Acceptable Use Policies

The use of information technology and resources is restricted to academic, educational, research, and/or administrative purposes. These resources may not be used for commercial, personal, political, or business income purposes unless specifically authorized for such use.

Any use of information technology or resources must not violate any U.S. or state laws or any software license and/or purchase agreements. Users of “outside” facilities such as libraries, Internet, or other electronic communication facilities must also comply with the acceptable practices and restrictions established by those facilities.

Individuals may not use institutional resources without proper authorization from the assigned user (custodian) of the resource. Individuals may not use another user’s computer account or user-ID or change another user’s password without prior permission from the custodian of the resource. Sharing computer accounts and/or access to resources assigned to users is strongly discouraged.

Users of information technology are responsible for their use of computer hardware, software, accounts, user-IDs, and passwords. Users are responsible for all resources assigned to them even if another person was using them. Information resources should only be used for their intended purpose; e.g., a class account must only be used to support the course for which it was created.

Users must not access, copy, view, or change private files without authorization. Users may not change, create, or delete public files or directories without proper authorization. Users do not have the right to create or receive unauthorized copies of software. Users must not attempt to modify software, data, or systems in any unauthorized manner.

Information technology and resources must not be used to make unauthorized entry into other communications, computational, or informational devices or resources. Accessing restricted databases requires prior authorization.

Users must not misuse or abuse any information resources. Information technology and resources must not be used to disrupt or interfere with other users, services, or equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, threatening or harassing others, propagation of viruses or worms, posting or mailing obscene materials, distribution of unsolicited advertising, and random mailing of messages.

No equipment, supplies, software, or manuals may be removed from computing sites without proper authorization.

Violations of Doane’s acceptable use policy are subject to action by the university and may be referred to the appropriate authorities. Violators may be billed for unethical or illegal use of information technology and may be dismissed, suspended, expelled, and/or legally prosecuted.

Doane’s in-depth policy on technology use is available upon request.

Verification of Student Identity

To meet federal guidelines, Doane requires all electronic coursework be submitted through Canvas or Doane email. Canvas requires students to login each time using their Doane login id and password. All coursework email correspondence is done using Doane assigned email accounts. When student accounts are set up, the student gets contacted to set up their challenge questions and password at our password service portal. Students can change their password via the web at any time to maintain their security.

Student Conduct

Students may be referred to the dean for evaluation when questions are raised about their academic, professional, or personal performance. These include students’ demonstrated knowledge, interpersonal skills, personal and professional attitudes, and professional character. Students may come to the attention of the dean through advisors and/or faculty members. Reasons for referral to the dean for disciplinary action include, but are not limited to,

1. academic standing, and
2. demonstrating personal unsuitability for the program.

After the evaluation process that may include reviewing records and relevant information, meeting with students, and/or consulting with students’ advisors, the dean may recommend intervention and/or impose sanctions. Possible interventions and sanctions include, but are not limited to, developing a plan for remedial work, placing students on probation, or dismissing students. Students shall agree in writing to the recommendation(s) of the dean within 15 days after being notified of the dean’s decision or be subject to further action.

The dean’s decision regarding discipline generally may not be appealed. However, under a limited criteria set forth in the grievance procedures, students may request formal grievance hearings by the Graduate Academic Affairs committee or the Chief Academic Officer.