Institutional Compliance Policies

Academic Freedom

Mount Camel College of Nursing supports the concept of academic freedom. The College views academic freedom as essential to the promotion of inquiry and the advancement of truth. Academic freedom is accomplished by academic responsibility, which requires service that is consistent with the Mission of the College. Academic freedom in a Roman Catholic institution implies respect for the doctrines of the Roman Catholic faith in teaching, scholarly activity, and community service.

Faculty are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject. Faculty should be careful not to introduce controversial matter having no relation to the subject. Academic freedom applies to all who have teaching responsibilities in the College.

Faculty are expected to engage in scholarly activity and community service. Scholarly activity undertaken for monetary return should be negotiated with the administration of the College in regard to time and service. Faculty are individuals, members of a profession, and members of an educational institution. When faculty speak or write as individuals, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their statements. Individual responsibility, when speaking on a professional topic, is difficult to differentiate from the employment role. Thus, faculty should speak with accuracy and exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinion of others, and should clearly state that they are speaking as individuals, rather than as representatives of the College. College letterhead should be used only for official College business.

The following is taken from the American Council on Education’s “Statement on Academic Rights and Responsibilities.”

Colleges and universities should welcome intellectual pluralism and the free exchange of ideas.  Such a commitment will inevitably encourage debate over complex and difficult issues about which individuals will disagree.  Such discussions should be held in an environment characterized by openness, tolerance and civility. 

Academic decisions including grades should be based solely on considerations that are intellectually relevant to the subject matter under consideration.  Neither students nor faculty should be disadvantaged or evaluated on the basis of their political opinions.  Any member of the campus community who believes [they have] been treated unfairly on academic matters must have access to a clear institutional process by which [their] grievance can be addressed.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

I. Background

The Mount Carmel College of Nursing is respectful of students’ rights and responsibilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) as amended by the ADA Amendment Act of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These laws require that no qualified person with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives or benefits from Federal assistance.  In addition, the Fair Housing Act requires reasonable, housing-related accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

The Mount Carmel College of Nursing is committed to serving qualified students with disabilities in its programs and services. Any qualified student with a disability may request an accommodation to ensure that the academic program does not discriminate against or have the effect of discriminating against that student. 

Since the nature and severity of disabilities vary, non-academic adjustments may be applicable only when they are appropriate to the needs of the individual student with a disability. To determine eligibility for accommodations, the College generally requires current and relevant documentation from a qualified professional with expertise in the area of the diagnosed disability/disorder that establishes a disability and its impact on the student and confirms the need for each accommodation requested. 

II. Scope of this Policy

This policy applies to both academic and non-academic accommodations, including but not limited to, requests for accommodations with required community service activities and coursework/clinicals.

III. Definition of Accommodations and Disability

Accommodations

• Accommodations (also sometimes called adjustments) are modifications of policies, practices, or procedures that will allow the student with a disability/disorder to meet the requirements of the course or program.  Examples of available accommodations may include, but are not necessarily limited to, auxiliary aids and modifications to courses, programs, services, activities, or facilities.  
• The College will take all steps necessary to ensure that its students are not excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in any program or activity because of a lack of auxiliary aids and services for students with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills. The College, however, cannot honor requests for accommodations that would fundamentally alter its programs or services, are directly related to any licensing requirements, cause undue administrative or financial hardship on the College, or jeopardize the health or safety of others.
• It is the responsibility of the student to make his or her disability status and/or need for an accommodation known to the College, following the process outlined below.  Once notified, the College will work with the student to identify potential accommodations and assess the practicality and effectiveness of each potential accommodation.
• Determinations regarding accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.  An accommodation must be tailored to address the nature of the disability and the needs of the individual within the context of the requirements of the program.  If there are two or more possible accommodations, and one costs more or is more burdensome than the other, the College may choose the less expensive or less burdensome accommodation that is still effective.

Disability

• Generally, a person with a disability is one who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.

IV. Admission of Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may apply to and are considered for admission to the College in the same manner as any other applicant.  Students must meet the same admission requirements and Functional Abilities and Performance Standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, as all other students.   

No student (or prospective student) is required by law to disclose a disability before or after admission to the College. However, disclosure and documentation of a disability is required if accommodations (academic or non-academic) are requested.

Students (and prospective students) are encouraged to review the Functional Abilities and Performance Standards that are essential for the safe practice of professional nursing and for successful participation in and completion of a nursing education program. Students will need to demonstrate satisfactory application of these functional abilities and performance standards, with or without reasonable, during their course of study in nursing. The Functional Abilities and Performance Standards can be found in the College’s Catalog-Handbook.

V. Service Animals

Service Animals: Mount Carmel College of Nursing permits the presence of Service Animals which perform tasks in support of persons with disabilities in College buildings and classrooms. Federal regulations define Service Animals as dogs (and in specific cases, miniature horses) that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, and alerting or protecting a person who is having a seizure. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Only the following two questions may be asked to determine if an animal is a service animal, as federally defined: 1) is the animal required because of a disability? (if the disability is not obvious) and 2) what work or task has the service animal been trained to do? There are no requirements to register service animals with the College but students are encouraged to notify the Student Accessibility Coordinator of the regular presence of a service animal so the Coordinator can provide support and education to others members of the campus community.

Handler Responsibilities: The handlers/owners of Service Animals are obligated to comply with any applicable laws related to animal licensing, vaccination, and identification. Handlers must keep animals under their control at all times and are responsible to adequately care for, clean up after, and maintain the health of their animal. Handlers are responsible for any and all damage to physical facilities caused by their animal. Handlers assume all liability for the action of their animals, including injuries to other persons or damage of others’ personal property. 

Limitations: Service Animals may not be permitted when the animal poses a substantial and direct threat to the health or safety of others, or if the presence of the animal fundamentally alters the nature of the program or service in which the person with a disability is participating. Determinations of this kind are made on a case-by-case basis by the College’s Student Accessibility Coordinator.

VI. Procedures

1. The Student Accessibility Coordinator (the “Coordinator”) has been designated to handle inquiries into academic[1] and non-academic accommodations. A student requesting accommodations under this policy must notify the Coordinator as soon as possible after the need for an accommodation becomes apparent. The student should schedule a meeting with the Coordinator to discuss his or her needs and requested accommodations. 
   • Contact information: Student Accessibility Coordinator, Mount Carmel College of Nursing, 127 S. Davis Ave., Columbus, OH 43222, Phone: 614-234-4393 or accessibility@mccn.edu.
2. To support most accommodation requests, students are required to provide current (generally no more than three years old) documentation of the disability to the Coordinator. This documentation must be from a professional who has undergone appropriate and comprehensive training, has relevant experience and licensure appropriate to the profession (such as a licensed psychologist, physician, or nurse practitioner). The documentation should describe the nature of the disability, the extent to which the disability limits one or more major life activities, and the suggested accommodation(s). If the student had a documented disability in high school and received IEP/504 accommodations, the paperwork may also be submitted for consideration of accommodations. The Coordinator will provide application and approval forms to standardize the documentation process.
3. Upon submission of required documentation, the Coordinator will engage in an individualized, interactive process with the student to determine possible accommodations. 
   • For academic accommodations: Coordinator will review the documentation. If necessary, the Coordinator will discuss any alternative accommodations with the student and the Associate Dean.
   • The determination as to whether a requested accommodation will be granted lies with the Coordinator. In some situations, a temporary plan may be developed and implemented by the Coordinator, upon notification to the appropriate College leader, where additional time is required for diagnostic evaluation.  A minimum of 2 business days is required to implement the accommodations. A copy of the official documentation will be maintained in the student’s file by the Coordinator.
4. The Coordinator will then notify the student of the determination.  If an accommodation is granted, the Coordinator will send out an accommodation form via email setting forth the accommodations for the student. This form is sent to their faculty each semester and staff in support of implementing the accommodation. If needed, the instructor and Coordinator will collaborate to plan and implement an academic accommodation.
5. If a student feels that his or her accommodations are not being met, he/she must notify the Coordinator immediately.  
6. If a student has been granted an accommodation and chooses not to use the accommodation(s), the student is required to notify the Coordinator in writing that the student will not be utilizing the accommodations.

VII. Grievance Procedure

If the student’s request for an accommodation is denied or the student is dissatisfied with the accommodation being provided, the College encourages the student to engage in an informal dialog with the Coordinator in an attempt to resolve the issue.   If a matter cannot be resolved informally or if the student prefers to file a formal grievance, a written grievance must be submitted to the Academic Dean. The informal resolution process is strictly voluntary and is not a prerequisite to filing a formal grievance. The student may file a formal grievance by following the instructions in the grievance policy.

A student is not required to file a grievance with the College prior to pursuing any federal or state administrative remedy. 

Discrimination Based on Disability: If you believe you have been discriminated against or harassed due to a disability you should contact the Coordinator who will assist you in making a complaint under the College’s Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy.

Retaliation: The College prohibits retaliation against anyone who files a grievance under this policy or otherwise complains that he or she has been denied equal access in the form of appropriate accommodations, modifications, auxiliary aids or effective communication. This prohibition of retaliation similarly extends to anyone who has testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding or hearing related to a grievance or complaint under this policy.

VIII. Student Privacy

Except where necessary to further the purpose of this policy or where otherwise permitted by law, documentation of a student’s disability will be kept confidential and will not be shared with other administrators or faculty members without the student’s consent, in accordance with federal educational privacy regulations. Any request by a student to review the documents associated with his or her request for an accommodation or grievance under this policy should be submitted to the Coordinator.

[1] The Ohio Board of Nursing governs requests for accommodations by an applicant for the NCLEX-RN ® Examination.  The Board has promulgated a policy explaining the requirements for applying for testing accommodations, which is available on the Ohio Board of Nursing website. Students are encouraged to review these requirements, including the requirement for a letter for the nursing education program demonstrating that accommodations were in place during the nursing education program.

Confidentiality and Disclosure of Educational Records (FERPA)

Mount Carmel College of Nursing complies with the Family Education Rights and privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, which is designed to provide privacy regarding a student’s educational record. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.)

For a complete copy of the policy, please click here   . 

Consensual Relationships Policy

This policy outlines the expectations of Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN) with respect to consensual romantic or sexual relationships between individuals in unequal positions, where a power differential exists. This policy covers all MCCN employees and students. This policy is necessary, as there are inherent risks in any romantic or sexual relationship between individuals in unequal positions (such as faculty member and student, supervisor and employee). These relationships may be less consensual than perceived by the individual whose position confers power. The relationship also may be viewed in different ways by each of the parties, particularly in retrospect.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the learning, living, educational and working environment at MCCN is free from conflicts of interest and preferential treatment, as well as all forms of gender discrimination and harassment.

An MCCN employee shall not enter into a consensual relationship with a student or employee over whom that employee exercises or influences direct or otherwise significant academic, administrative, supervisory, evaluative, counseling/mentoring, or extracurricular authority. In the event such a relationship already exists, the employee is required to notify their supervisor immediately and appropriate protocols will be implemented.

The following types of consensual relationships are addressed in this policy:

1. Faculty-Student Relationships);
2. Staff Member/Administrator-Student Relationships; and
3. Supervising Employee-Employee Relationships.

The relationship between faculty member and student must be protected from influences or activities that can interfere with learning and objective evaluation. Therefore, no faculty member shall enter into a romantic or sexual relationship with a student over whom that faculty member has academic responsibility or is likely to have academic responsibility in the future, regardless of whether the relationship would be consensual. In addition, no faculty member shall exercise academic responsibility over a student with whom the faculty member has or has had a romantic or sexual relationship, regardless of whether the relationship is or was consensual.

Staff members or administrators working in areas that are often called upon to work closely with and advise or mentor students may not be able to perform their duties effectively if they become romantically or sexually involved with students who they are responsible for advising or mentoring. Accordingly, no staff member or administrator shall have a romantic or sexual relationship, regardless of whether the relationship is consensual, with a student for whom that staff member or administrator has direct advising, mentoring, evaluating, or has student organization management responsibility. In addition, no staff member or administrator shall exercise such responsibility with respect to a student with whom that staff member or administrator has or has had a romantic or sexual relationship, regardless of whether the relationship was consensual.

From the MCHS Employment of Relatives-Significant Others Policy:

No MCHS colleague shall occupy a position in which he/she will be:

• Supervising a colleague with whom he/she has a romantic, dating or sexual relationship.
• Working in a position in which he/she could significantly influence the job assignment, working conditions, pay, performance, or accountability of a colleague with whom he/she has a romantic, dating or sexual relationship.
• This policy applies not only to new colleagues, but also where one of the relationship situations described above would be created after employment begins by either a colleague’s change of position or a colleague’s entry into one of the relationships described above.
• MCHS reserves the right to make employment, transfer and promotion decisions where one of the relationship situations described above may result. If MCHS determines that the relationship between colleagues causes an adverse impact in the department, MCHS will determine the disposition of the affected colleagues. In making that determination, MCHS will consider, but not be bound by, the preference of the colleagues involved. Decisions in such cases will be made by the MCHS CEO or designee, in conjunction with Human Resources and Organizational Integrity.

Please see full MCHS Employment of Relatives-Significant Others Policy for additional details.

Any member of the College community (student, faculty, staff, and administrator) who is made aware of a faculty-student or staff member/administrator-student relationship must report this to the Director of Compliance and Safety/Title IX Coordinator (at 614-234-2341 or compliance@mccn.edu).

Any member of the College community (student, faculty, staff, and administrator) who is made aware of a Supervising Employee-Employee Relationship (including those involved in the relationship) must report this to the college’s Colleague Relations partner, per the MCHS Employment of Relatives-Significant Others Policy.

Any supervisor who receives a report of a violation of this policy shall treat the information sensitively and shall promptly consult with the Director of Compliance and Safety/Title IX Coordinator and Human Resources.

Retaliation against persons who report concerns about potential violations of this policy is prohibited.

Any violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action. If a member of the College community fails to meet the requirements for either disclosing a relationship in violation of this policy, or fails to cooperate in the required steps to resolve (if possible) a reported violation of this policy they may face disciplinary consequences.

Should a romantic or sexual relationship with a student lead to a charge of sexual harassment or sexual assault against a faculty member, staff member or administrator, the College is obligated to investigate and resolve the charge in accordance with MCCN’s Title IX Policy. The MCCN Director of Compliance and Safety/Title IX Coordinator handles matters related to Title IX violations. The Director of Compliance/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at 614-234-2341 or compliance@mccn.edu.

Constitution Day

The College complies with legislation requiring all federally funded educational institutions to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution each year on or near September 17. Constitution Day commemorates the September 17, 1787, signing of the Constitution. If this date falls on a weekend, the observation will be held during the preceding or following week.

Credit Hour Allocation - Undergraduate

Mount Carmel College of Nursing generally ascribes to the Carnegie definition of a semester credit hour, which stipulates that one semester credit hour be awarded for fifteen sessions of 50-minutes duration in classroom lecture-recitation each requiring two hours of outside preparation by the student.

• Click here  for information on undergraduate credit hour allocation of general education, science, clinical and non-clinical nursing courses.

Student Complaints and Grievances

Mount Carmel College of Nursing has a formal process for addressing and resolving student complaints emerging from alleged violations of College policies, procedures, or established practices on the part of a College faculty member, staff member, or department.

Submitting Complaints

Individuals may submit complaints using the online reporting form (also available by copying and pasting: https://mccn.guardianconduct.com/incident-reporting/ into your internet browser).  Complaints may be filed directly with the Director of Compliance and Safety by contacting 614-234-2341 or emailing compliance@mccn.edu.

To file a formal grievance with the Higher Learning Commission and/or the Ohio Department of Education, please refer to https://www.mccn.edu/about/compliance/state-authorization/sara-student-complaints.

This policy addresses student complaints and grievances not otherwise covered by another College policy or procedure. Guidance and procedures for complaints covered by other policies are described and listed below:

• General Complaint Form
  • If a student desires to remain anonymous, they may not receive any contact follow up, even if they provide your name, phone number and/or email information. Additionally, if details are missing it may limit the College’s ability to fully respond to your complaint
• Academic and Professional Conduct/Student Code of Conduct  
  • Student Code of Conduct Reporting Form
• Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
• Academic Appeal: Grades or Evaluations of Academic Performance
• Sexual Harassment or Gender Discrimination/Title IX
  • Title IX Reporting Form

External Agencies to Report Complaints & Grievances

The Ohio Department of Higher Education:

• The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) is responsible for responding to formal complaints against public, independent non-profit, and propriety institutions of higher education in Ohio. While the Ohio Department of Higher Education has limited authority over colleges and universities, and cannot offer legal advice or initiate civil court cases, ODHE staff will review submitted complaints and work with student complainants and institutions. Information, can be found on its website. https://highered.ohio.gov/students/current-college-students/student-complaints

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC):

• The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent body responsible for the accreditation of programs offered by Mount Carmel College of Nursing. The HLC receives complaints from students or other parties. When a complaint raises issues regarding an institution’s ability to meet accreditation criteria, the HLC will forward a copy of the complaint to the institution and request a formal response. Instructions for filing a complaint with the Commission are available on its website. https://www.hlcommission.org/Student-Resources/complaints.html

Office of Civil Rights

• The Office for Civil Rights enforces several Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education. It is the mission of the Office for Civil Rights is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin is prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  This includes discrimination based on a person’s limited English proficiency or English learner status; and actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including membership in a religion that may be perceived to exhibit such characteristics (such as Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh individuals). https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html

Internal Informal Resolution

Before an official complaint or grievance is initiated, every effort should be made by the individual(s) to resolve the issue directly. Students should follow appropriate Chain of Command procedures outlined in a course syllabus. Complaints that fall outside of the classroom setting can be directed to the appropriate College Leadership. This good faith effort to resolve a problem is encouraged by the Office of Compliance and Safety prior to directing the complainant to submit a formal Complaint Form.

Internal Formal Resolution Process

1. Complaint is filed using form listed above.
2. Student Complaint Form is received by the Director of Compliance and Safety who conducts a preliminary review of the complaint. The Director may consult with other appropriate departments, including Colleague Relations within Mount Carmel Health System, to determine the next appropriate steps. If the complaint is against the Director of Compliance and Safety, it is reviewed by Associate Dean for Student Services.
3. An investigation will be conducted and written final determination will be sent to the student who filed the initial complaint via MCCN email. Please note that the completion of the investigation may take up to 14 academic days, depending on the complexity of the issues involved.
4. If students need assistance in completing the General Complaint Form, they are encouraged to reach out to a member of the College faculty or staff (including, but not limited to the Student Behavioral Health Counselor or Student Success Coordinator).  
5. The College reserves the right to take immediate interim actions as necessary and appropriate to protect the safety and well-being of the campus and community.

Internal Appeals

Students have the right to appeal the outcome of a decision by filing a written appeal to the Associate Dean of Student Services, or designee, within fourteen (14) academic days of receipt of written notice of the determination.

An appeal must be filed online 

Appeals may be filed under the following circumstances. It is the responsibility of the student, in writing, to prove one or more of the following occurred for an appeal to be accepted:

• Procedural error that resulted in significant harm to the student. Deviations from the designated procedures will not be a basis for accepting an appeal unless the deviations are material, substantial, and/or significant harm or bias resulted;
• The Investigator or initial decision maker had a conflict of interest, bias or prejudice that prevented a fair and impartial decision;
• Substantial new evidence/information that was unavailable at the time of the decision and which reasonably could have affected the decision is now available;
• Dissatisfaction with a decision may not be the sole reason for the appeal.

The appellate body, or designee, will decide the appeal based upon a review of the supporting documents, which must be submitted by the student appealing the decision. The appeal officer may consider additional relevant information from any individual or office related to the incident and then decide the appeal based upon the enhanced record. The decision of the appeal officer is final. The appeal officer may:

• Uphold the original decision;
• Modify the decision;
• Refer the case to the original decision maker or refer the case to a new decision maker for a new decision.

Record Keeping

The College will keep a record of complaints (and the resolutions) submitted for Formal Resolution, as required by law and regulation. This record is kept on file with Compliance and Safety.

Title IV Compliance

The College is in compliance with its program responsibilities associated with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (HEA98) via publication on the Department of Education’s College Navigator. Click nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/  for details.

Voter Registration

Mount Carmel College of Nursing will distribute voter registration forms to all enrolled students no less than 60 days before the published voter registration deadline for any federal election or state gubernatorial election.

Potential Changes to Courses in Emergencies

In the event of a College-wide emergency, course requirements, classes, simulation experiences, clinical experiences, labs, deadlines, and grading schemes are subject to change.  Changes may include but are not limited to alternative delivery methods, alternative methods of interaction with the instructor, class materials, and/or classmates, alternative experiential learning (including but not limited to: practical/clinical and simulation experiences), a revised attendance policy, and a revised semester calendar and/or grading scheme in accordance with accrediting and regulatory bodies.  Although MCCN reserves the right to execute changes in the event of an emergency, it will ensure that course implementation permits learners the opportunity to achieve course outcomes. Irrespective of the delivery format, the College’s tuition and course fee structure shall remain the same for academic courses, consistent with published tuition and fee schedules. There will be no refund or reduction of tuition or course fees, since the College will be providing a full semester of instruction and awarding full academic credit to those who satisfactorily fulfill course requirements.