Student Environment & Experience

Mutual Responsibilities in Graduate Education

A major purpose of graduate education at the University of Minnesota is to instill in each student an understanding of and capacity for scholarship, independent judgment, academic rigor, and intellectual honesty. Graduate education is an opportunity for the student to develop into a professional scholar. Graduate research and teaching assistantships offer an "apprenticeship" experience in the academic profession as well as financial support. It is the joint responsibility of faculty and graduate students to work together to foster these ends through relationships that encourage freedom of inquiry, demonstrate personal and professional integrity, and foster mutual respect. This shared responsibility with faculty extends to all of the endeavors of graduate students as students, employees, and members of the larger academic community.

High quality graduate education depends on the professional and ethical conduct of the participants. Faculty and graduate students have complementary responsibilities in the maintenance of academic standards and the creation of high quality graduate programs. Excellence in graduate education is achieved when both faculty and students are highly motivated, possess the academic and professional backgrounds necessary to perform at the highest level, and are sincere in their desire to see each other succeed.

Professional & Health Policies

All graduate nursing students in the PhD program must have current compliance information on file at the School of Nursing prior to matriculation. Failure to provide this information will result in a hold on the student’s record that prevents registration until the required documents have been filed. Please refer to the School of Nursing Compliance Requirement website for detailed instructions. 

Health Insurance

All Academic Health Center students will be automatically enrolled and charged for the University Sponsored Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). Students can have the plan waived if they are enrolled in an employer-based insurance plan, the University Sponsored Graduate Assistant Plan, or Minnesota Care. To waive the plan, they must provide the required documentation as outlined on the Student Health Benefit Plan website.

Professional Liability

This includes medical, surgical, dental or nursing treatment, including the furnishing of food or beverages, furnishing or dispensing of drugs or medical, dental or surgical supplies or appliances, and the handling of or performing of post-mortem examinations.

Persons insured under this policy are any employee/volunteer worker of the University of Minnesota while “acting within the scope of their duties.” This definition includes students of the Health Professions, students, teacher of the University only with respect to Personal Injury and Property Damage arising out of their teaching activities. Coverage is also extended to “other” students while acting within the scope of the assigned duties as authorized, from time-to-time, by the University’s designee(s). Any member of a committee of the Accounting, Architectural, Engineering, Law, Medical and Dental staff shall be included as an “additional insured” but only  while acting within the scope of their assigned duties on behalf of the University of Minnesota. It should also be understood that the definition of employee does not include independent contractors.

For more information, contact the Office of Risk Management & Insurance, 612-624-5884 or https://finance.umn.edu/risk-management-and-insurance.

Research, Scholarship, and Professional Education Expectations

The University has adopted a comprehensive educational program to provide members of the University community with the knowledge and resources they will need to act as responsible researchers and scholars.  As part of the educational initiative, each graduate program is required to provide its students—through courses, informal seminars and individual mentoring—opportunities to learn about ethical issues from a disciplinary perspective and to explore these openly. 

Standards of Student Conduct 

The Graduate School and the School of Nursing follow the Student Conduct Code of the University of Minnesota

In addition to maintaining the School of Nursing academic standards, University of Minnesota School of Nursing students are expected to be thoughtful and professional when interacting with faculty, patients and their families, nurses, physicians, preceptors, affiliated institutional staff, other students, the public and other members of the health care team. This professional behavior is to be maintained in any and all situations where the student is identified as a U of MN student, including situations off-campus, as well as in "virtual" sites, such as online social networking sites.

Professional conduct and demeanor is required of students in cyberspace in the same manner it is required in all other settings. Students must keep in mind that behavior that is illegal or in violation of U of MN policy on campus will be illegal or violate U of MN policy if it occurs and/or appears online. If a student identifies as a U of MN, SoN student in an online forum, the SoN will hold them to the highest standards of professional conduct. While it is not the policy of the School’s staff and faculty to routinely monitor students’ postings on web sites or other social media tools, if inappropriate postings are brought to their attention, the school’s faculty and academic administration will investigate the report.

Conflict Resolution

The first step of any resolution should be at the lowest unit level, between the parties involved or the parties and an appropriate third party (e.g., DGS). Students may wish to contact the Student Conflict Resolution Center or similar support service for advice and possible mediation, but are advised to talk to the DGS first. If no informal resolution is reached at the lowest unit level, a student may seek informal resolution at the collegiate level with the other party and higher level administrators. If the issue is not resolved informally, the student may seek formal resolution. See: https://policy.umn.edu/education/studentcomplaints-proc01 

Student Misconduct and Academic Integrity

Every student attending the School of Nursing is expected to adhere to the U of M Code of Conduct, as well as the School of Nursing Behavioral Standards when they accept an offer of admission to the School. Any violation of the above is considered an act of misconduct and warrants disciplinary action appropriate to the violation. A student has the right to contest any allegation of misconduct or disciplinary action. Whenever possible, allegations of misconduct should be settled at the lowest possible level—between the individuals involved. Allegations of misconduct should be resolved as quickly as possible. 

When a faculty member believes that a student has engaged in misconduct or scholastic dishonesty, the faculty member will submit a report to the Office for Community Standards. The student may then be required to meet with an OCS staff member to discuss the matter. If a student disagrees with the outcome of the case and does not wish to accept an informal resolution, the Campus Committee on Student Behavior composed of faculty and students, will hear the case.

When students are found responsible for scholastic dishonesty, the sanctions can include but are not limited to the following options: failing grade on an assignment, failing grade in a course, redoing a required assignment, being placed on disciplinary probation, being suspended, or being expelled.

Students can expect the severity of the sanction to be increased for a second offense.

Be advised that University policy prohibits withdrawing from a course to avoid a grade penalty of F or N due to scholastic dishonesty. The School of Nursing does not allow a student to withdraw from a class if accused of scholastic dishonesty.

A student has the right to a hearing and to appeal any disciplinary action. Records of academic misconduct are kept on file in the college office and in the Office for Community Standards. 

More information regarding the Office for Community Standards can be found here: https://communitystandards.umn.edu/ 

Student Involvement in the School of Nursing

The SON bylaws provide opportunities for student representation on  committees, as well as involvement on task forces and search committees. We value student input as we continuously strive to improve the quality of our academic programs. 

The following standing committees solicit PhD student representation:

• • Wards, Development and Public Service Committee 

  • Inclusivity, Diversity & Equity Committee- all students are welcome

  • Research Committee- 1 graduate student as voting member

The Office of Academic Programs solicits interest from doctoral students and provides names of interested students to committee chairs.

Council of Graduate Students (COGS)

Active membership in COGS (www.cogs.umn.edu) is open to all currently registered graduate students enrolled at the University of Minnesota. It is an open organization of graduate students from across the University. As such, COGS provides opportunities for graduate students to participate actively in University administrative and policy-making decisions. Further, COGS promotes the interests of graduate students by electing representatives to serve on University committees, on Policy and Review Councils, and in the University Senate. COGS regularly disseminates important information and solicits graduate student opinions through special events, publications, and General Assembly meetings held monthly during the academic year.

Council of International Graduate Students (CIGS)

CIGS is open to all international graduate students enrolled at the University of Minnesota.  This organization provides a place for students to advocate for their academic, professional, and social development through events tailored to the international UMN student community.  The group also serves as a liaison between the international student body and other groups within and outside of the University. The group's three main objectives are:

• Provide a platform to meet and share experiences, address common issues, and play a larger role in student advocacy;

• Host events and activities that improve the campus experience of international graduate students;

• Develop leadership experience and promote more international student leaders at the University.

Organization for PhD Students in Nursing (OPSN)

The organization exists for the following purposes:

• To provide an avenue for communication between administration/faculty and PhD students;

• To provide a forum for speakers to make presentations of professional interest to members;

• To provide a support group for students in the Nursing PhD program;

• To facilitate attendance at conferences and seminars of interest to nursing students; and

• To provide social activities and events for the membership.

Membership in OPSN is open to all currently registered students enrolled in the PhD program in the University of Minnesota’s School of Nursing. Regularly scheduled meetings of the organization are held monthly during the academic year. You can reach OPSN at opsn@umn.edu.