MSW Student Guide

University of Michigan School of Social Work · 2025–2026

Volume 1: Academic and Professional Policies

1.13 - The Academic Concerns Committee

§1.13.04 · Roles in Academic Concerns Matters

activeschool policy

Academic Year 2025-2026 · Maintained by Office of Student Services

Policy details & cross-references
Section1.13.04
Volume1: Academic and Professional Policies
Effective2025-09-01
Last reviewed2025-09-01
Review cycleannual
Responsible bodyOffice of Student Services
Contactssw-adedpgm@umich.edu
SourceOfficial guide
Tags
academic-standingconductgrievancefield-educationethicsevaluationrecordspolicy
Related policies
Summary: 1. Associate Dean for Educational Programs (ADEP): The ADEP is responsible for implementation of this Policy, may consult with the MSW program director, and may delegate the duties to another administrator. The ADEP will not be present at misconduct hearings and will delegate responsibility for representing the School to the program director or other appropriate designee.

  1. Associate Dean for Educational Programs (ADEP): The ADEP is responsible for implementation of this Policy, may consult with the MSW program director, and may delegate the duties to another administrator. The ADEP will not be present at misconduct hearings and will delegate responsibility for representing the School to the program director or other appropriate designee. The ADEP makes the determination for referral to the ACC, and implements any final actions of the ACC.

  2. Academic Concerns Committee: The Academic Concerns Committee shall hear matters related to academic and professional misconduct, including those related to the NASW Code of Ethics and the School of Social Work Technical Standards and other matters outlined in this document. The committee is composed of a faculty chair, two faculty members, and two students. Student members will not participate in meetings or hearings specific to the academic difficulty of other students. The ADEP will not be present at misconduct hearings. All faculty and students members of the Academic Concerns Committee have voting privileges.

  3. Respondent: The Respondent is the person named in the complaint. The respondent has the following rights:

a. The right to review all evidence considered by the Academic Concerns Committee.

b. The right to appear before and present evidence and up to three witnesses to the Academic Concerns Committee.

c. The right to object to the participation of a member of the Academic Concerns Committee on the grounds that the person may be biased or unable to be fair or objective.

d. The right to be accompanied at the hearing by a personal advisor, who may be an attorney; however, the advisor may not participate directly in the proceedings, but may only advise the student. If the student so requests, the Academic Concerns Committee may ask a member of the faculty to serve as an advisor to the student.

e. Compliance by all participants in the proceedings with established policies regarding the confidentiality and retention of student records.

  1. Providing Testimony: The referent(s) will provide testimony. Other school personnel such as the program director or director of field education may be called to provide testimony. These individuals will be invited at the discretion of the Academic Concerns Committee. In cases where the program director and/or field director are not available, the director(s) will determine whether written testimony will be provided and/or whether a designee will provide testimony.