All programs are a product of collaborative human activity. Active student participation as not only learners, but as evaluators and generators of ideas, is important to the success of the Fredonia State social work program. You should be aware that program policies are often created through information gained from outcome assessment measures. CSWE accreditation standards require that we continually assess the program for quality and responsiveness to real needs. Formally, this will entail the use of your portfolios, teacher/course evaluations, and your academic performance including practice in the field. Policy will also be generated/changed as the result of formal discussions between faculty, students, and community members.

Policy can also be generated from informal feedback given to faculty. You are strongly encouraged to discuss program and curriculum issues with instructors. Advisors and other faculty are open to discussing any aspects of the social work program. Or, you can use the Social Work Club as the vehicle to express group issues/concerns with the faculty. And, the elected student representatives on the Advisory Committee can be used to create, change, and/or eliminate policies for our mutual goal of having a strong social work program.

Your right to free speech and expression are highly prized by the faculty. If you believe that any member of the faculty has been biased toward you for this or any other reason, you are encouraged to voice your complaint either informally or formally. Formal processes for grievances are contained in this section of the Handbook and in the 1999-2001 Undergraduate Catalog from pages 198-209.

Student grievances.

Students who believe that they have been treated unfairly and/or that their rights have been violated while attending Fredonia State in the Social Work Program, should follow the following instructions to address the injustice:

a. Grades - You have the right to appeal decisions made by the faculty relative to grades. If the matter cannot be resolved informally between the you and the faculty member, students are directed to seek the intervention of the Program Director and/or the Department Chair who will follow the procedures outlined on p. 192 of the 1999-2001 Undergraduate Catalog.

b. Discrimination - The social work profession currently and historically has been a leader in the cause of fighting prejudice, discrimination, and oppression against all people in society. We have especially taken up the causes of the marginalized and powerless. The Social Work Program Director and the faculty are more than willing to assist you if you ever directly or indirectly experience discrimination while attending Fredonia State. In addition to seeking faculty/program support, students are encouraged to follow the College grievance procedures. According to the Grievance procedures outlined in the Faculty Handbook, you "must file a grievance within 45 calendar days following the alleged discriminatory act or 45 days after the final grade is received, if that date is later." Please consult the following for more information:

1. Advisor, Program Director, or Department Chair for more details and support.

2. Sexual Harassment - see pages 204-205 of the Undergraduate Catalog

3. Discrimination - Contact the Affirmative Action Officer, 673- 3358

c. Program Requirements - You have the right to ask for exceptions to program requirements and to appeal decisions made by the faculty relative to programmatic policies. If you believe that you should be allowed an exception to the program’s policies such as course prerequisites, advancement prerequisites, and advancement requirements, you can petition the social work committee for a waiver of that requirement. Students must write a letter to the Program Director asking for the exception and justifying the need for the request by fully explaining the reason for the request. The Program Director will take the request to the Social Work Committee who will grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis, for compelling reasons only.

d. Termination from the program for non-academic reasons - You can be terminated from the social work program for non-academic reasons. Documented patterns of disruptive or unstable behavioral problems, non-acceptance of social work values and practices, and unethical actions are grounds for dismissal. Students whose conduct is in violation of these established norms will first be verbally warned by their advisor who will work with them to solve the problem. A note and plan of action will be filed in the student’s advising folder. If progress is not made or a relapse occurs at any point in the program, the Program Director will write a warning letter. If the behavior/attitude continues, the student’s case will be reviewed by the Social Work Committee. Because the recommendation from the committee could include the removal of the student from the Social Work Program, the student has the right to present a case on his/her behalf.

Students have the right to appeal any decisions through established procedures outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog p. 209.

Special Note: Plagiarism is both an academic and behavioral grounds for dismissal from the program. It is a serious violation of the Code of Ethics. Plagiarism can result in expulsion from the College. Please consult pages 192 and 203 of the Undergraduate Catalog.

Fredonia State University is often described by its organizational members as a "community of learners". While this phrase has wide interpretation, for you, it means being actively involved in your experience by reading, writing, discussing, analyzing and all the other activities needed to grow in your knowledge and understanding of the world. If you are experiencing any problems related to your learning, you should talk with your advisor. Depending upon the nature of the difficulties, you may be advised to speak to the instructor of the course in which problem is being

experienced, directed to various campus services for extra help, and/or both. If the problems that are temporarily interfering with learning are personal, you may be directed to the Counseling Center.

Learning the following will help you be successful:

a. APA style - The social work program has adopted the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association as the rules governing all term and research papers in courses with SOCW prefixes. Please purchase a copy and familiarize yourself with the rules. Knowing how to apply the rules helps you to avoid any appearance of academic dishonesty.

b. Grading Policies - Grades are both an objective and subjective measure of student learning achievement. Fredonia State’s Grading Policies are outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog. As previously stated, instructors will have their own interpretations and policies about grading. Usually, these are presented on the syllabus and talked about at the beginning of class. You should familiarize yourself with the instructor’s policies.

c. Midterm Grades - The College has a policy of requesting midterm grades from instructors and giving them to students through advisors. This process allows advisors and students to be informed of difficulties while there may still be time to make improvement in a course. Please pick up and discuss your midterm grades with your advisor.

d. University Services - The College offers help to students through a variety of settings. Given your situation, please make use of the appropriate service to help you with your learning goals. The University Catalog presents a detailed list of student services. Some important ones include:

Reed Library Information Desk

Disabled Student Services, Learning Center, Hendrix Hall - 673-3270

Counseling Center, LoGrasso Hall - 673-3424

Learning Center, Hendrix Hall - 673-3550

All communities have behavioral norms. The Social Work Program is guided by the NASW Code of Ethics and the SUNY Fredonia’s standards which are published within the content on pages 186-209 of the Undergraduate Catalog. Please familiarize yourself with them.