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Issue Resolutions and Course Substitutions

Issue Resolutions and Course Substitutions

Forms & Policies

The Issue Resolution Policy provides students with a structured process to address and resolve concerns within the School of Education. The policy outlines steps to follow, ensuring fairness and transparency. Students are encouraged to first discuss their concerns directly with relevant faculty or staff members and document the outcomes. If the issue remains unresolved, they can submit an Issue Resolution Form.

Additionally, students seeking to substitute a course within their program can complete a Course Substitution Form. This form should be submitted along with any supporting documentation to the relevant faculty or staff member for review.

Student Resources

Issues Resolution - Fillable Form Course Substitution - Fillable Form

Faculty Resources

Letter of Concern - Fillable Form

School of Education Issue Resolution Policy

Issue Resolution Form: Download the fillable pdf by clicking on one of the buttons above.
Required Documents: Please include syllabi, transcripts, or detailed explanations of the issue. Failure to provide this information may delay the review process or result in a denial.

Types of Issues or Requests

When a student has an unresolved concern about advising practices after discussing with their advisor or advising leadership.
When a student has an unresolved concern about a faculty member after discussing with that individual.
When a student has an unresolved concern about instructional practices, supervisory practices, or student teaching policies after discussing with the instructor, supervisor, or Director of Student Teaching.
When the student has extenuating circumstances and wishes to appeal a Division or School of Education policy. Examples include admission criteria, GPA requirements, checkpoint requirements, minimum course grades by program, and student teaching policies.

Guidelines for Non-School of Education Complaints

If a student has a complaint addressed in the Indiana University Student Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, they should follow the university policies found at studentcode.iu.edu.
A student who wishes to appeal a grade should follow the policies found in the IU South Bend Campus Bulletin.
A student who has a complaint against university employees other than faculty or administrators, against other students, against student organizations, or a complaint about discrimination or sexual or racial harassment should follow the procedures provided by the Office of Student Conduct.

Steps for Addressing Student Concerns

Step #1 Initial Discussion: If a student has a concern they should first discuss it with the relevant advisor, faculty member, university supervisor, or Director of Student Teaching.

Step #2Resolution Documentation: If resolved, no further action or Issue Resolution form is needed. It is recommended to document the date, time, and resolution.

Step #3 Formal Submission: If not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, an Issues Resolution form should be submitted to Tracy Horvath (tmhorvat@iu.edu), Faculty Support Admin. See below for routing of the form and supporting documentation.

Routing for Issues Resolution Requests Related to:

Routing for Issues Related to Advising:

Request and documentation are forwarded by Tracy Horvath to either the Director of Undergraduate Advising or appropriate Division Head.
The Director or Division Head decides whether to support the student's issue.
If supported and a unilateral decision can be made:
- The form is returned to Tracy Horvath who communicates the decision to the student via IUSB email and uploads decision to AdRX.
If not supported or a unilateral decision cannot be made:
- The form is forwarded to the Curriculum and Standards Committee who reviews the student submission and Director or Division Head’s decision.
- The Committee makes a decision to support or not support the student's issue.
- The form is submitted to the Assistant Dean for the final decision.
- The Assistant Dean reviews all forms, meets with relevant parties, and renders the final decision.
- Tracy Horvath communicates the final decision to the student via IUSB email.

Procedures for Handling Appeals When Division Head is Unavailable

If the Division Head is away from campus:

- The Curriculum and Standards Committee will review the student’s Issue Resolution form and make a recommendation.
- The form and recommendation will be returned to Tracy Horvath, who will forward them to the Assistant Dean.
If the Division Head is away and the Curriculum and Standards Committee is not scheduled to meet:
- The student’s appeal will go directly to the Assistant Dean who reviews all forms, meets with relevant parties, and renders the final decision.
- Tracy Horvath communicates the final decision to the student via IUSB email.

Routing for Issues Related to Associate or Full-Time Faculty:

Request and documentation are forwarded by Tracy Horvath to the appropriate Division Head.
The Division Head reviews the form, consults with the faculty involved, and meets with the student if necessary.
The Division Head decides whether to support the student's issue.
If supported and a unilateral decision can be made:
- The form is returned to Tracy Horvath who communicates the decision to the student via IUSB email and uploads decision to AdRX.
If not supported or a unilateral decision cannot be made:
- The form is forwarded to the Curriculum and Standards Committee who reviews the student submission and Division Head’s decision.
- The Committee makes a decision to support or not support the student's issue.
- The form is submitted to the Assistant Dean for the final decision.
- The Assistant Dean reviews all forms, meets with relevant parties, and renders the final decision.
- Tracy Horvath communicates the final decision to the student via IUSB email.

Procedures for Handling Appeals When Division Head is Unavailable

If the Division Head is away from campus:

- The Curriculum and Standards Committee will review the student’s Issue Resolution form and make a recommendation.
- The form and recommendation will be returned to Tracy Horvath, who will forward them to the Assistant Dean.
If the Division Head is away and the Curriculum and Standards Committee is not scheduled to meet:
- The student’s appeal will go directly to the Assistant Dean who reviews all forms, meets with relevant parties, and renders the final decision.
- Tracy Horvath communicates the final decision to the student via IUSB email.

Routing for Issues Related to School of Education Practice or Policy:

Request and documentation are forwarded by Tracy Horvath to either the Director of Undergraduate Advising or appropriate Division Head.
The Director or Division Head decides whether to support the student's issue.
If supported and a unilateral decision can be made:
- The form is returned to Tracy Horvath who communicates the decision to the student via IUSB email and uploads decision to AdRX.
If not supported or a unilateral decision cannot be made:
- The form is forwarded to the Curriculum and Standards Committee who reviews the student submission and Director or Division Head’s decision.
- The Committee makes a decision to support or not support the student's issue.
- The form is submitted to the Assistant Dean for the final decision.
- The Assistant Dean reviews all forms, meets with relevant parties, and renders the final decision.
- Tracy Horvath communicates the final decision to the student via IUSB email.

Procedures for Handling Appeals When Division Head is Unavailable

If the Division Head is away from campus:

- The Curriculum and Standards Committee will review the student’s Issue Resolution form and make a recommendation.
- The form and recommendation will be returned to Tracy Horvath, who will forward them to the Assistant Dean.
If the Division Head is away and the Curriculum and Standards Committee is not scheduled to meet:
- The student’s appeal will go directly to the Assistant Dean who reviews all forms, meets with relevant parties, and renders the final decision.
- Tracy Horvath communicates the final decision to the student via IUSB email.

Routing for Issues Related to Supervision or Student Teaching:

Request and documentation are forwarded by Tracy Horvath to the Director of Student Teaching, who reviews and discusses with the Division Head, university supervisor, or student, if appropriate.
The Director of Student Teaching decides whether to support the student's issue.
If supported and a unilateral decision can be made:
- The form is returned to Tracy Horvath who communicates the decision to the student via IUSB email and uploads decision to AdRX.
If not supported or a unilateral decision cannot be made:
- The form is forwarded to the Curriculum and Standards Committee who reviews the student submission and Division Head’s decision.
- The Committee makes a decision to support or not support the student's issue.
- The form is submitted to the Assistant Dean for the final decision.
- The Assistant Dean reviews all forms, meets with relevant parties, and renders the final decision.
- Tracy Horvath communicates the final decision to the student via IUSB email.

Procedures for Handling Appeals When Division Head is Unavailable

If the Division Head is away from campus:

- The Curriculum and Standards Committee will review the student’s Issue Resolution form and make a recommendation.
- The form and recommendation will be returned to Tracy Horvath, who will forward them to the Assistant Dean.
If the Division Head is away and the Curriculum and Standards Committee is not scheduled to meet:
- The student’s appeal will go directly to the Assistant Dean who reviews all forms, meets with relevant parties, and renders the final decision.
- Tracy Horvath communicates the final decision to the student via IUSB email.

Documentation by the School of Education

The School of Education will maintain a file of Issue Resolution submissions and periodically aggregate data pertaining to issues and resolutions for assessment purposes, adhering to CAEP standards. Relevant information regarding each individual issue will be provided as necessary for inclusion in the student’s advising folder.

Issue Resolutions and Course Substitutions