4.16.1 Student Grievance Procedure and Due Process

The following procedures shall apply for student grievances, both academic and non-academic.

Academic Grievance: An academic grievance is academic in nature, and involves course content, grades and/or course assignments.

1. Informal Academic Grievance – Step One
   The student will first go to the instructor and attempt to resolve the matter. Both the student and instructor will have a conference to discuss the situation and document in writing the attempts taken to resolve the grievance at this level. In the event that the student is unsatisfied with the resolution reached at the conference, he/she may proceed to Step Two within five (5) business days after the conference. Not proceeding to Step Two within the time period, and not providing documentation in writing, will result in the grievance not being heard and the matter being closed.
   
   
2. Formal Academic Grievance-Step Two
   If the student is still dissatisfied with the instructor’s determination, within five (5) business days of the conference, the student will meet with the instructor and their supervisor. The student will present the instructor’s written determination. In cases where the student is unable to meet in person with the supervisor, the student may contact the supervisor by letter or email. The supervisor will then make a written determination and provide it to the student within five (5) business days after the meeting. The written determination may be sent as an email, certified letter, or hand delivered document. The supervisor’s decision is final.
   
   
3. If the student is still dissatisfied with the supervisor’s written determination the student may follow procedure 4.10.6 Grade Appeal at the end of the semester to appeal the final course grade.

Non-Academic Grievance: Does not involve course content, grades, and/or assignments.

1. Informal Grievance – Step One
   In the event the alleged grievance lies with an instructor/staff member, the student must first go to that instructor/staff member and attempt to informally resolve the matter. Both the student and instructor/staff member must have an informal conference to discuss the situation and document the attempts taken to resolve the grievance at this level. In the event that the student is unsatisfied with the resolution reached at the informal conference, he/she may proceed to Step Two within ten (10) business days after the informal conference. Not proceeding to Step Two within the time period will result in the grievance not being heard and the matter being closed.
   
   If the grievance concerns issues unrelated to a particular instructor/staff member (for example, an issue with College policy), the student can skip the informal process and proceed to Step Two.
   
   
2. Formal Grievance – Step Two
   If the grievance is not resolved at Step One (or, given the nature of the grievance, Step Two begins the process) the student may file a written grievance with the Vice President for Student Services (“Vice President”). The written grievance must contain with specificity the facts supporting the grievance and the attempt, if applicable, to resolve the grievance at the information level.
   
   The Vice President (or, depending on the nature of the grievance, another appropriate Vice President) shall review the written grievance and conduct whatever further investigation, if any, is necessary to determine any additional facts that are needed to resolve the grievance.
   
   The Vice President shall provide his/her written decision within ten (10) business days after receipt of the grievance.
   
   In the event that the student is unsatisfied with the resolution reached by the Vice President, he/she may proceed to Step Three within ten (10) business days after receipt of the Vice President’s written determination. Not proceeding to Step Three within the time period will result in the grievance not being heard and the matter being closed.
   
   
3. Appeal – Step Three
   If the student is not satisfied with the Vice President’s determination, the student may appeal to the President. The appeal must be in writing and must provide a written summary of the specific facts and must contain any other documentation pertinent to the matter. The President will conduct an “on the record” review and, if necessary, conduct any further investigation that is necessary to ascertain the facts needed to make a determination. The President may, at his/her discretion, establish a committee to further investigate the matter and make a recommendation to the President.
   
   At the conclusion of the investigation and not later than fifteen (15) business days after receipt of the student’s appeal (unless a committee is needed then within thirty (30) business days), the President shall provide a written decision to the student.
   
   The President’s decision is final.