FIELDWORK Policies

Students are expected to discuss their practicum experience in the classroom and with friends and family but also to use utmost care in protecting the privacy of colleagues and clients. Students must be judicious about using names and offering identifying information about people and records at the host organization. Students must abide by the confidentiality guidelines within the host agency.

Field Instructors should provide clear and concise information about their organization’s confidentiality practices to students, keeping in mind that students may have limited experience in the workplace and may require extra explanation of issues in the organization.

Students must sign a Release of Information prior to beginning a practicum placement. This release permits the PH Program to share personal and educational information relevant to their practicum participation to Field Instructors or other host agency representatives.

There is potential risk involved in many aspects of this work and the delivery of community-based services, and students are encouraged to adopt safe practices in the exercise of their practicum activities. Agency staff are requested to orient students to agency guidelines and procedures for risk reduction and safety. All personal safety incidents must be reported to the Practicum Coordinator within 24 hours.

Students may not conduct independent research at their practicum site and PH faculty cannot start new research projects as part of a practicum process. Federal law requires that research involving human participants must be overseen by an Institutional Review Board. Research is defined as any systematic collection of information about people that will be used to make generalizations; analysis of information for the purpose of improving an organization’s functioning (e.g., customer satisfaction or performance management) is not considered research. Practicum students are welcome to participate in pre-existing projects at practicum sites after they have completed the requisite training in responsible conduct of research. Please notify the Practicum Coordinator if a student will be surveying, interviewing, or otherwise collecting data from people prior to collection of any such information so that we may affirm that it is appropriate to participate. The Pacific University Institutional Review Board (http://www.pacificu.edu/about-us/offices/institutional-review-board) can provide additional information about research regulations.

Students experiencing emotional or life challenges which may affect performance in the practicum are encouraged to seek out appropriate assistance. Such challenges can be an opportunity for the student to take appropriate steps to protect the population being served, and to practice self-advocacy and self-care, which are important skills for ethical practice in this field. If such challenges adversely impact the student’s ability to carry out learning activities outlined in the PH Learning Contract in a competent and ethical manner, the student may be temporarily or permanently removed from the practicum. Students who are in need of assistance/resources may contact the Practicum Coordinator or other resources on campus (e.g. Student Counseling Center or Student Health Center).

Students must meet the minimum 70-hour practicum requirement within the semester they are registered for practicum in order to achieve a passing grade (“C-“ for all PH majors). Pacific University has an obligation to be consistent in holding all students to the same deadlines for completion of work in a course. However, occasionally there is reason for granting a student additional time to complete practicum, and the University allows faculty to request a temporary grade of “Incomplete” in these situations. A temporary grade of Incomplete may be assigned ONLY when all of the below three conditions are met:

• Health or other emergency reasons prevent the student from finishing all requirements of the practicum, and

• A large portion of practicum has been completed satisfactorily and/or the student has a passing grade at the time of the petition, and

• The student is able to complete the remaining work on an individual basis with the Practicum Coordinator and/or PH Program faculty and the Field Instructor supervising the student within the agency. Re-enrollment in all or part of the same practicum course during a subsequent semester is not allowed as part of a contract.

An Incomplete is not a substitute for a failing or otherwise undesirable grade; it cannot be granted to a student who is failing practicum and wants additional time to submit make-up work/hours in order to improve a grade, or to a student who might benefit from simply having more time to complete practicum requirements. In cases where practicum hours cannot be completed by the end of the semester and an Incomplete cannot be granted for the reasons listed above, students will be required to retake practicum during the next available semester that practicum is offered. Students will start over with the 70-hour minimum requirement and may not be able to complete their practicum within the same agency they previously had an agreement with. For some students, this may extend their graduation date an entire school year.

The PH Program reserves the right to withdraw students from placements if a student or agency does not meet the goals and objectives of the PH Program, or if a student commits an act which is determined to be in violation of university standards.

On rare occasions, a student’s practicum may be terminated if:

• The student’s performance in the classroom and/or field demonstrates that the student shows little likelihood of succeeding, either in completing the degree or in professional practice.

• The student engages in conduct in the field that endangers the target population, the agency, the University, other students, or the student him/herself.

• The student is consistently unable to form productive working relationships with Field Instructors, other students, or the population being served at the agency.

• The student is experiencing personal issues that preclude effective practice in the field.

• The student fails to demonstrate academic integrity as defined in the Student Handbook.

In instances where such behaviors occur, the Practicum Coordinator will notify the student that she should not return to the field until she has completed a mandatory meeting with the Practicum Coordinator to discuss the areas of concern. In the meeting, the Coordinator will determine whether the problems that led to removal from the field shall be resolved with no official action, probation, or permanent removal from the placement. If the problems do not appear amenable to satisfactory resolution, the student will be terminated from the PH major.

To return to the field, students on probation will follow these steps:

• The student and the Practicum Coordinator will develop a written plan, including timeline, to address the problems. This plan signed by both the student and Practicum Coordinator and will be kept on file with the Practicum Coordinator.

• The student must obtain a written re-admission to the field from the Practicum Coordinator before returning to a practicum site.

• Based upon the established timeline for re-admission to the field and the student’s progress in meeting that timeline, an evaluation of the student’s potential completion/graduation date will be made. The student and the Practicum Coordinator will make this determination in agreement with the student’s Faculty Advisor.

• The student will meet with the Practicum Coordinator at regular, specified intervals to assess progress toward resolution.

• Students who are unable to resolve issues to the satisfaction of the Practicum Coordinator will be terminated from the CJLS Program.

Appeals Process

• A student wishing to appeal a practicum or program termination may follow this procedure:

• The first appeal must be made in writing (email is not acceptable) to the Chair of the Department of Public Health & Social Work. The Department Chair will consult with the PH staff and faculty in reviewing the appeal. The Department Chair will respond, in writing, to all appeals within 14 days.

• If the student is not satisfied with the Department’s decision, the student may appeal in writing to the Director of the School Social Sciences. The Director will respond to all appeals, in writing, within 14 days.

• If the student is not satisfied with the Director’s decision, the student may appeal in writing to the office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The decision of the office of the Dean is final.

Note: This appeals process exists only for the appeal of PH Program decision-making. Pacific University students have access to broader appeals processes for issues outside of PH or for issues within PH that are not related to program decision making.

Harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be condoned in any form at Pacific University or at a field site.

Pacific University reaffirms the principle that people have a right to be free from harassment in workplace and academic settings and activities. Harassment is inconsistent with the nature of an academic community and in some circumstances can be a violation of federal and state law. Pacific University does not tolerate any kind of harassment. This includes harassing actions between and among supervisors and employees, between and among fellow employees, between and among employees and students and between and among third parties such as vendors or visitors and any member of the University community.

Harassment Definition

Harassment is unwelcome verbal or physical conduct that demeans or shows hostility toward an individual because of the individual’s race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Harassment occurs when it:

• Has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive working or academic environment;

• Has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance; or

• Otherwise adversely affects an individual’s employment or learning opportunities.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment is a form of gender (sex) discrimination. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and or other verbal or written or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment occurs when:

• Submission to sexual conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or academic progress,

• Submission to or rejection of sexual conduct influences employment or academic decisions

• Sexual conduct or communication interferes with an individual’s work performance or academic performance, or

• Sexual conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment.

If an individual is in a position to influence academic decisions or employment benefits of another, even a completely welcome, consensual, romantic or sexual relationship can raise the appearance of impropriety and can create an unwelcome appearance of favoritism and bias. Such a relationship can lead to sexual harassment allegations if it later becomes unwelcome or if others believe they are being subjected to unequal treatment because of the relationship. Sexual harassment is not, however, limited to situations where there is an unequal power relationship between individuals and may occur between or among coworkers or students.

Reporting Alleged Harassment

Any student who believes that he or she has been subjected to harassment should report the circumstances immediately to his or her Practicum Coordinator and/or the Instructor of their practicum seminar. Notifying the Practicum Coordinator and/or Instructor of the practicum seminar class will result in a report to one of the following three individuals: the Vice-President for Academic Affairs, the Vice-President of Student Life or the Director of Human Resources. The University strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual making a good faith report of harassment or for participating or cooperating in an investigation of harassment. Pacific University will not tolerate any form of reprisal, whether actual or implied, and whether related to employment or academic work, and such retaliatory behavior will result in discipline. Complaints of harassment or retaliation will be examined promptly, thoroughly and will be impartially investigated. The University must investigate complaints of harassment of which it has knowledge. The interest in confidentiality of all members of the University will be respected, insofar as it is practical and possible, given the need for a thorough and complete investigation.

Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or expulsion from school. To access more information on the University’s policy on Harassment and Sexual Harassment, please visit the University’s webpage: https://pacificu.app.box.com/s/3rhadvlvxf9qczzbyxi9jdryrkjh16wd.

Effective January 1, 2013, employees (including student workers) of Oregon public and private higher education institutions are considered by law to be mandatory reporters of child abuse for minors. As a mandatory reporter, obligations continue 24/7 no matter where you are (including at a practicum field site). For more information on responsibilities as a mandatory reporter, please visit the University’s notice on Mandatory Reporting. See here for more information from the Oregon Department of Human Services. Please refer questions to Pacific University's Office of Legal Affairs.

Professional liability insurance is provided for all students of the university while acting within the course and scope of their academic studies, including field learning as coordinated or required by their academic program. For liability and insurance reasons, students are not permitted to transport clients in their privately owned vehicles during the practicum. Students are not permitted to transport clients utilizing a University vehicle unless Pacific University provides written authorization and full auto insurance coverage for such activities. Students may use agency vehicles provided by the host organization.

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation or age, in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of l972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of l973, Title VII of the Civil Rights act of l964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act of l990 and their implementing regulations. Students are expected to adhere to the university non-discrimination policy.

Services and accommodations are available to students covered under the American with Disabilities Act. Students who may need accommodations must contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation Services (OAA) as far in advance of the practicum semester as possible. OAA staff meet with the student, review the documentation of their disability, and discuss the services Pacific offers and any accommodations they may require for specific courses. Students must provide the Practicum Coordinator with this documentation from OAA prior to the start of the placement process. In these cases, the student must discuss these accommodation needs with the Practicum Coordinator and eventually their Field Instructor to determine if such accommodations are available in the agency setting.