Disciplinary Procedures and Due Process

The Nursing Program utilizes a progressive disciplinary process designed to promote student accountability, professionalism, safe practice, and adherence to program expectations. Disciplinary action may include verbal counseling, written warnings/write-ups, probationary status, suspension, or dismissal from the program depending on the severity and frequency of the behavior.

The Nursing Program follows a “three-strike” disciplinary policy. Students who receive three (3) documented written disciplinary write-ups during enrollment in the nursing program may be released from the program. Disciplinary write-ups may result from, but are not limited to, violations of clinical expectations, attendance and punctuality policies, professionalism standards, safety concerns, academic integrity violations, or failure to comply with program or clinical agency requirements.

The severity of an incident may warrant immediate disciplinary action, including immediate dismissal from the program, regardless of the number of prior write-ups received.

Students will be informed of disciplinary concerns and provided an opportunity to respond through the program’s established due process procedures. All disciplinary decisions are made at the discretion of nursing administration and in accordance with Ogeechee Technical College policies and procedures.

The administration reserves the right to maintain a safe and orderly educational environment for students and staff . Therefore, when, in the judgment of Ogeechee Technical College officials, a student’s conduct disrupts or threatens to disrupt the Ogeechee Technical College community, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken to restore and protect the atmosphere of collegiality and mutual respect on campus. This procedure is intended to provide an orderly protocol for handling student disciplinary cases following due process and justice principles.

Detailed information regarding Ogeechee Technical College’s Disciplinary process can be found at the following link: OTC Catalog

Grievance and Appeal Procedures
Ogeechee Technical College faculty and administrative staff have the right and responsibility to exercise professional judgment when evaluating student performance and progression. The College is committed to:

Establishing and upholding high academic standards
Ensuring fair and equitable treatment of students in all matters related to academic performance

Students who believe that an academic decision has negatively impacted their academic standing will be provided a fair opportunity to request a review of that decision, in accordance with the College’s established policies and procedures.

Grade Reviews and Academic Decision Appeals

Grade Reviews/Academic Decisions by Instructor

If a student believes that a basis exists for appealing an academic decision regarding a grade or attendance issue, that student should first attempt to resolve the matter through discussion with the instructor who made the decision. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the student has five (5) working days to discuss the issue with the instructor.

If the issue cannot be resolved through a discussion with the instructor, the student may submit an Academic Grade Review at Academic Grade Review. The appropriate Dean for Academic Affairs will review and respond to the student within five (5) working days from the date the Academic Grade Review is submitted. The student will submit a detailed explanation for why they are requesting the review and should provide any documentation to support the request for a review, such as communication with the instructor, assignments, or other supporting documentation. In an attempt to resolve the grade review, the Dean for Academic Affairs may interview the student, instructor, and others who may have pertinent information. The Dean for Academic Affairs will return a decision to the student in writing after completing the Academic Grade review.

The decision of the Dean for Academic Affairs will be final.

Academic Dismissal

Ogeechee Technical College faculty and administrative staff have the right and responsibility to exercise professional judgment in making decisions about student performance and progress. The College is accountable for setting and maintaining standards of academic performance and is committed to ensuring students are treated fairly in all matters that relate to academic performance and progress. A student will be provided with a fair opportunity to have decisions that are believed by the student to negatively impact academic performance and progress reviewed in accordance with policies and procedures established by the College.

If a student believes that a basis exists for appealing an academic decision regarding a program dismissal, that student should first attempt to resolve the matter through discussion with the Dean for Academic Affairs and the academic program leadership, who made the decision. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the student has five (5) working days to discuss the issue with the instructor.

If the issue cannot be resolved through a discussion with the Dean for Academic Affairs and the academic program leadership, the student may submit an Academic Dismissal Appeal at Academic Dismissal within five (5) working days from the date of the discussion. The student will submit the electronic appeal and should provide any documentation to support the appeal, such as communication with the instructor, assignments, or other supporting documentation. In an attempt to resolve the program dismissal appeal, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may interview the student, instructor, and others who may have pertinent information. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will review the appeal, along with all provided documentation, and render a decision to the student in writing.

The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs will be final.