This petition seeks to establish the University at Albany School of Social Welfare's Field Education Policy on conflicts between student and field instructor. A fair grievances process following a "U" (Unsatisfactory) grade should be considered for evaluation and update in accordance with the students' right to appeal said grade. This includes issues of early termination, the appeal procedure addressing conflicts between student and field instructors.

The changes we are asking for are as follow:

What we are asking for these addition to be added to the MSW field education Handbook.

1. An amendment to current policy on grievances which should include the following section:
   1. Conflict with supervisors:
      1. If there’s a conflict with the supervisor a meeting should be scheduled between agency supervisor, the student and field liaison to identify and or address the conflicts at placement site. If conflict persist then:
      2. The Field office director will mediate a meeting between the student, the field liaison and site supervisor to identify and or address conflicts that were unable to be reach at previous meetings between agency, student and liaison (the third party).
   2. Conflict with supervisors that resulted in unsatisfactory grade for field:
      • If the student receives an unsatisfactory grade due to conflicts with site supervisor that was not resolved during previous meeting the follow should have been meet.
        1. A meeting between the student, the agency, and the site supervisor.
        2. A meeting between the student, the agency, the site supervisor, and the field office director
        3. A completed focus learning agreement
        4. A formal letter stating that the student has not complied with the focus learning agreement. (see objective 2) However:
      • If the termination of the student is less than two month before end of semester:
        • The student should be allowed to finish their placement at alternative site.
          1. If field office is unable to find a placement the student should be allowed the opportunity to find their own placement.
          2. If the student is unable to complete their hours during the semester they should be allowed to complete their hours during the summer (1st year students) or delay graduation until hours are completed.
2. Two weeks following focus learning agreement the field instructor must write a formal letter saying that the student is:
   1. Meeting focus letter objectives of the focus learning agreement or:
   2. Student is not meeting focus letter objectives and is:
      1. Requesting another meeting to review and or revise focus learning agreement
      2. Requesting student be changed from current internship and moved to a different site to finish hours and placement
      3. Requesting termination of student from field supported by document and written justification.