General Student Information

Privacy and Access to Information

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) (20 U.S.C.A. Section 1232g) affords certain rights to students concerning their educational records. FERPA grants students the right to inspect and review their educational records (with exceptions); to request that their records be amended; to have limited control over the disclosure of information contained in their records; and to file a complaint with the U.S. dean of education concerning alleged failures of their university to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The TTUHSC El Paso Institutional Student Handbook/Code of Student Conduct shall serve as the annual notification that must be provided to students under FERPA, 34 C.F.F. 99.7, unless the individual school already notifies its students of FERPA rights on an annual basis.

For more information: https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/studentservices/registrar/FERPA/default.aspx

State Privacy Policies

When Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) collects personal information - whether through written or electronic means - the paper form or web page must state (with few exceptions) that the individual is entitled to be informed about how his/her information is being used.

Behavior Expected of Nursing Students: Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics

Student conduct standards are guided by the TTUHSC El Paso Institutional Student Handbook: Code of Professional and Academic Conduct https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/studentservices/institutional-handbooks.aspx.

In addition to the conduct standards described in the TTUHSC El Paso Code of Conduct handbook, Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing (GGHSON) students are required to follow additional standards as outlined herein.

All students entering the Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing are required to subscribe to the standards and codes of the nursing profession.

GGHSON students as nursing professionals, are expected, not only by patients, but also by society as a whole to adhere to:

1. American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses https://codeofethics.ana.org/provisions. The ANA Code of Ethics for nurses describes the values and standards required to maintain the level integrity necessary to practice nursing.
2. Texas Administrative Code Texas Board of Nursing/Unprofessional Conduct Rules which encompass behaviors or conduct (TAC 217-12) which are not permitted in the practice of nursing. https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?$locale=en_US&interface=VIEW_TAC_SUMMARY&queryAsDate=05%2F01%2F2025&recordId=196802

Complaints and Grievances

A formal complaint is a written complaint or grievance (either paper or electronic) from a student that is not resolved after the student has exhausted all the established procedures within the Hunt School of Nursing and rises to the level of the Assistant Vice President for Student Services & Student Engagement. Students are encouraged to resolve issues informally before seeking more formal resolution avenues. If unable to resolve the issue through informal processes, a student wishing to file an academic or non-academic formal complaint or grievance should refer to the HSON student handbook and/or TTUHSC El Paso’s student complaint and grievance policies and procedures (see links below), other than those in Title IX and discrimination. IV. Student Complaint or Grievance Policies and Procedures

Title IX: TTUHSC Statement of Policy

The University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. In accordance with Title VII, Title IX, Violence against Women Act (VAWA), Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (SaVE), and other federal and state law, the University prohibits discrimination based on sex and other types of sexual misconduct. Sexual Misconduct is a broad term encompassing all forms of gender-based harassment or discrimination and unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature. The term includes sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, public indecency, interpersonal violence, sexual violence, and any other misconduct based on sex. Any acts that fall within the scope of this policy hereinafter are referred to as sexual misconduct. Refer to HSC OP 51.02 and HSC OP 51.03 for further information and direction on Title IX and equal employment concerns.

This policy applies to all University students and employees, visitors, applicants for admission to or employment with the University, as well as University affiliates and others conducting business on campus. This policy will apply to on-campus and off-campus conduct of which the University is made aware and which adversely impacts the educational and employment environments of the University. The University will take all reasonable steps to prevent recurrence of any sexual misconduct and remedy discriminatory effects on the Reporting Party and others, if appropriate.

All complaint investigations and procedures will be non-adversarial in nature and will be conducted in a prompt, fair, and impartial manner. Investigations conducted under this policy are not criminal investigations. For all complaints under this policy, the burden of proof shall be a preponderance of the evidence, which means more likely than not.

The University expects all members of the university community to comply with the law. Members of the university community who violate these policies and laws may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, expulsion from the University, or being barred from University premises and events.

For more information visit the Title IX Website. 

Student Accessibility Services

The office of Accessibility Services is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students with documented disabilities (e.g., mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical). Accommodations are not provided retroactively and students are encouraged to register as soon as they begin their academic program. Texas Tech Health El Paso encourages students to access all resources available for consistent support and accommodations.

Please contact Norma Fuentes, Manager of Accessibility & Student Advocacy, to schedule a confidential conversation about the process for requesting reasonable accommodations in the classroom and clinical settings at 915-215-4398 or normal.fuentes@ttuhsc.edu

Health Insurance Coverage

Physical and mental health are key components of academic success as well as overall well-being.  Health insurance coverage has been positively associated with better health outcomes and improved productivity.  Additionally, some clinical site agreements require students to have health insurance to participate in clinical rotations at the clinical site.  Texas Tech Health Sciences Center requires all enrolled students to acquire and maintain health insurance coverage for the duration of the program.  The Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing does not provide health insurance for students or their dependents.  Students must be prepared to provide proof of coverage at any time during a semester. Failure to maintain coverage can result in exclusion from clinical practice, holds on records and potential course failure(s). Medical bills incurred by a student are the responsibility of the student. Students are required to maintain health insurance coverage for each semester of enrollment.  Note: Health insurance coverage must meet the following criteria: a U.S. employer health insurance plan, marketplace plans (bronze, silver, gold, platinum plans) or a Medicaid/Medicare plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  To ensure compliance, starting with the 26-27 academic year, all students will be charged for a health insurance fee to cover this cost.  To assist students in meeting this requirement, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has been selected to administer the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).  For more information on BCBS, see below on to enroll or how to provide proof of insurance to reverse this health insurance fee.

Note: Students have the option to either enroll in the school health insurance plan or opt-out by submitting proof of current and active ACA-compliant health insurance. Students who do not have an Approved waiver will be enrolled in SHIP after the waiver period has closed and will be responsible for the charge on their student account.  No late waivers will be accepted.

Student Health Insurance (Academic Health Plan - AHP) Requirement

At Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, the safety and welfare of our students is a top priority. To support this, all students are required to maintain minimum essential health coverage - including emergency care, specialty care, and pharmacy services. For additional details about this requirement, please refer to the website policy page on Mandatory Student Health Insurance Requirement (OP 77.22). TTUHSC El Paso partners with Academic HealthPlans (AHP) to provide a student health insurance plan through the Texas Tech University System.

Student Health Services

Students may seek health services from 9849 Kenworthy Street. To make an appointment, please contact a scheduling clerk at 915-215-5500.

Student Counseling Services

The Student Counseling Services is committed to students’ academic and personal wellness by providing individual counseling services and outreach programming that honor and respect the unique experiences and characteristics of each person in a welcoming environment that fosters development and psychological well-being. For information on the various counseling services for students, visit their website at https://ttuhscep.edu/studentservices/student-counseling-services/

Student Engagement and Wellness

The Office of Student Affairs and Wellness at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is committed to empowering students to become healthy and engaged practitioners. We are committed to fostering their well being through a holistic approach focusing on the following dimensions of wellness, career, social, spiritual, physical, financial, intellectual, creative, environmental and emotional wellness. For questions regarding these resources or how to get involved in student engagement opportunities, please contact the office at 215-4705 or visit their website at Student Engagement and Wellness.

Questions or concerns:

Please contact the Office of Student Services and Student Engagement located in the Medical Sciences Building II (MSBII), 137 Rick Francis St., room 2C201 at 915-215-4705 or elp.studentservices@ttuhsc.edu. Hours of operation: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Immunization Requirements

Per TTUHSC El Paso policy, EP 7.1 , immunizations are required for TTUHSC El Paso students Failure to maintain documentation of the following required immunizations can result in exclusion from clinical practice and a hold being placed on school records. Immunization records provided during the application process will be audited continuously throughout the program. The following information must be on file for a student’s immunization record to be considered compliant while enrolled in the GGHSON. Students enrolled in the RN to BSN or MSN programs are required to meet the immunization requirements per the Texas Administrative Code for Health Professions.

Important: Students cannot decline to be immunized except in rare cases. Unless otherwise indicated above, all immunizations must be current no later than two weeks prior to the start of the first clinical rotation. The GGHSON is not responsible for notifying students if they fall out of immunization compliance. Do not ignore courtesy notifications that address immunization non-compliance. Non-compliance will fall under the academic professional code of conduct disciplinary rules. Other specialty-related immunizations or testing may be recommended or required by specific clinical agencies (i.e. COVID-19 vaccine and COVID-19 testing).

Students may receive immunizations through the Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso located at 4801 Alberta Ave. at a discounted rate. Students will need to furnish their ID badge and personal immunization records. To schedule an appointment, call 915-215-4392.

Students should keep personal immunization records in a safe place. You will be required to provide copies of your immunizations and titers. These records are required for all health care workers. Students are advised to never supply the GGHSON with original documents.  Students are required to upload immunization records onto the Employee/Student Health Portal located on the Occupational Health web page.

Drug Screenings

Drug screenings are required by clinical institutions where clinical rotations are completed.  A drug screen may be completed upon acceptance into the nursing program, after a break in enrollment, or may be requested at the discretion of a faculty member or administrator of the GGHSON.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment

TTUHSC El Paso is committed to the health of our students, patients, faculty, and staff, and the public in general. As an institution whose mission is to provide excellence in health care education and service. TTUHSC El Paso is a smoke-free campus and this includes vaping and e-cigarette use. For more information, go to: HSCEP OP 10.19.