Grievance Procedures

The following outlines the steps of the grievance process:

1. Students should complete a Grievance Packet and submit to Community Rights & Responsibilities.
2. Once received, the packet will be reviewed by the Student Grievance Committee (SGC). (NOTE: SGC does not operate during the summer months, or between fall and spring semesters, so delays will occur on grievances filed at these times.)
3. The faculty or staff member involved will be contacted and provided with a copy of the formal grievance.
4. The SGC will conduct a blind review of each grievance, meaning that all references to names and other identifying factors will be struck from the petition.
5. If the SGC concludes that the student has submitted substantial information (the burden to do so rests on the student), then the committee will appoint one faculty member and one student SGC member to serve as investigators. These investigators will interview all appropriate parties and review all information that they deem to be relevant to the case. Students seeking an investigation must supply the SGC with all information and records, including witness statements, correspondence, and academic assignments, when filing the request for a grievance.
6 Once the SGC investigates a case, the committee will determine whether the student's complaint has cause, and to determine whether or not corrective action may be recommended. In some cases, the SGC may conduct a more formal hearing (in accordance with University Hearing Panel procedures) in order to gather more facts about the case.
7. If corrective action is recommended, the recommendation is forwarded to the original faculty or staff member along with a rationale for the decision. If a faculty or staff member fails to take the corrective action recommended and the decision is upheld on appeal, the case will then be referred to the Provost or to the appropriate Vice President.
6. If the SGC concludes that there is insufficient cause to investigate the matter, the student will be made aware of this decision, and made aware of her/his opportunity to appeal.

Note: Both parties retain the right to appeal the decision of the SGC.