CHDS

310 White Hall

Kent State University

P.O. Box 5190

Kent State University

Kent, Ohio 44242-0001

Phone: (330) 672-2662

Last Updated:

January 2007

CHDS PROGRAM STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS

The Kent State University (KSU) Counseling and Human Development Services (CHDS) Program is charged with the task of preparing individuals to become professional counselors in a variety of settings and to assume positions of leadership in the field. In order to fulfill these responsibilities, faculty must evaluate students based on their academic, professional, and personal qualities. The KSU CHDS Program attempts to establish a learning community where students can develop professionally. We do this by providing an environment in which students’ rights and responsibilities are respected and by respecting the dignity and worth of each student.

A student’s progress in the program may, however, be interrupted for failure to comply with academic standards or if a student’s interpersonal or emotional status interferes with education/training related requirements for self or others. For example, in order to ensure proper training and client care, a counselor-in-training must abide by relevant ethical codes and demonstrate professional knowledge, technical and interpersonal skills, professional attitudes, and professional character. These factors are evaluated based on one’s academic performance and one’s ability to convey warmth, genuineness, respect, and empathy in interactions with clients, classmates, staff, and faculty. Students should be able to demonstrate the ability to accept and integrate feedback, be aware of their impact on others, accept personal responsibility, and be able to express feelings appropriately.

ENDORSEMENT

It is not the practice of the CHDS Program faculty to automatically provide reference letters to graduates for employment applications or for admission to further education, nor to supply evaluations of competencies for individual credentials. However, the faculty is happy to provide such service to students on a request basis. Please do not hesitate to ask for a letter of reference, if it would be helpful to you. It is the faculty member’s decision whether or not to provide the letter. Endorsements will be written only if the student’s program of studies in fact prepared him or her for the position or credential in question.

POLICY STATEMENTS ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND DISABILITIES

Kent State University is committed to provide all persons equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, physical disability or mental disability (unless the disability is essential to the practice of counseling), and identification as a disabled veteran.

Kent State University recognizes its responsibility for creating an institutional climate in which students with disabilities can thrive. If you have any type of disability for which you require special accommodations to promote your learning in this program, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your needs. Student Disability Services is the organization on campus which can help with special accommodations (e.g., extended exam time). You may wish to contact Student Disability Services at 330-672-3391 to verify your eligibility and the options for accommodation related to your disability.

STUDENT ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS

The following is the ACHVE Department’s student academic complaint procedure. The academic complaint procedures for students enrolled in ACHVE courses or admitted to ACHVE programs make explicit how the department is to comply with requirements set forth by University Policy.

Briefly stated, the purpose of such procedures includes improving the atmosphere of trust, to protect the integrity of the academic environment, to give both parties the right to be heard, to answer problems before they grow out of proportion to the original incidents, and to answer problems at the lowest level possible in the University hierarchy. At the departmental level, students are expected to attempt to resolve their concerns informally by first consulting the instructor, unless circumstances dictate otherwise. There are both informal and formal procedures to follow relative to resolution of the complaint. In both informal and formal procedures, only written and signed complaints will be considered.

Failing satisfactory resolution with the instructor and the Department Chairperson, the student may lodge a formal complaint. The Student Ombudsman (250 Kent Student Center, 330-672-9494) is available to assist in the filing of a formal complaint. Formal complaints must be submitted within a reasonable time as determined by the Chairperson. The formal complaint procedure is as follows:

1)       The student submits a written complaint to the Chairperson who then distributes copies to the respondent (instructor) and the Student Academic Complaint Committee (SACC). The SACC shall consist of the Faculty Advisory Committee and be made up of one member from each program area and at least one student, graduate or undergraduate (depending on the level of the complaint). If the Chairperson is the respondent, a Dean’s representative will act in the role of the Chairperson.

2)       The Chairperson asks that the respondent make a written response to the Chairperson within a specified time frame, usually 10 days, and the Chairperson then provides copies to the SACC and the student.

3)       The SACC will review the materials submitted to it by the Chairperson from the student and the instructor. The committee may ask to speak with either or both.

4)       The SACC will formulate a recommendation regarding disposition of the complaint. The Chairperson receives the recommendation (Collective Bargaining language, Article IV, Section 1, “A.:…Accordingly, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the University and of the Association to cooperate in providing to members of the Faculty meaningful advisory and recommendatory participation in the governance of the University.”) of the committee, makes a decision and communicates the decision to the student, the instructor, and the committee. As part of its recommendation the SACC will consider any recommendation offered by the Office of Affirmative Action and by the Office of the Vice President of Human Resources.

5)       A student who is not satisfied with the decision of the Chairperson may appeal the decision to the Dean of the College and Graduate School of Education, Health, and Human Services. An instructor who is not satisfied with the decision of the Chairperson may appeal the decision to the Dean of the College and Graduate School of Education, Health, and Human Services.

6)       The student, instructor, and all who are involved in the complaint process are expected to view the matter as confidential.