Original Date of Issue: 3/21/79
Revised: 12/21/16, 6/15/16, 6/26/2026

The purpose of the Student Grievances policy is to maintain and follow a published process by which students can register complaints (i.e. grievances) and have their concerns and questions considered by appropriate College officials. A grievance is defined as a complaint or dissatisfaction occurring when a student thinks that any condition at the College affecting them is unjust, inequitable, or creates unnecessary hardship. The College is committed to assisting students with the resolution of grievances in an effort to foster a culture of respect and support retention. Unless there is an extenuating circumstance, grievances must be submitted within six months of the date of the incident.

How to Submit a Student Grievance

Students are encouraged to first direct grievances to the staff or faculty member responsible for the grievance or the individual responsible for the area of concern. Students in doubt as to the appropriate staff member should seek the advice of a member of Student Affairs or another trusted College employee. If the student is uncomfortable approaching the individual responsible for the grievance or the concern cannot be resolved with the initial staff or faculty member, the student should complete the Student Grievance Form. Attempts to resolve grievances prior to submission of the form should be documented in the form. Please note: Students wishing to appeal course grades, have a concern with another student, or have a Title IX complaint must follow those respective processes.

Review of Student Grievances

Student Grievances will be managed by the Division of Student Affairs. The Chief Student Affairs officer, or designee, will review submitted Student Grievance Forms and direct them to proper individual(s) to address the concern. If deemed necessary, the individual(s) assigned to address the grievance may ask for a meeting with the student or ask the student to provide additional information.

During the process:

  • The student has the opportunity to provide evidence or information regarding the grievance prior  to the meeting.
  • The student will be provided the opportunity to discuss their understanding of events. The individual(s) assigned to address the student grievance may ask additional questions to better understand the incident.
  • If a meeting with the individual(s) assigned to address the student grievance is requested, the student may be accompanied by an advisor of their own choosing. Typically, advisors are members of the campus community (such as a faculty member, academic advisor, or fellow student), but the student may select whomever they wish to serve as their advisor (including family members or friends who are not a part of the campus community). The advisor may not make a presentation during the discussion. They may confer quietly with their advisee, exchange notes, clarify procedural questions with the hearing officer and suggest questions to their advisee.
  • The individual(s) assigned to address the student grievance will make a decision based on the facts of the case. Students will receive a letter that includes the decision made along with a rationale for the decision. This letter will be provided no later than 15 business days (3 weeks) from submission of the grievance or the initial meeting with the individual(s) assigned to address the student grievance, whichever is later.

Appeal Process

A student has the right to one appeal of the grievance outcome based on the following grounds:

  1. The decision was not made in the manner provided under this policy.
  2. The decision was made with information not relevant to the issue.
  3. There is new and substantial information not previously considered in the grievance process that puts the situation into a different context.
  4. The student witnessed or experienced bias or discrimination during the grievance process.
  5. The measures taken as a result of the grievance process were not appropriate based on the evidence.

Upon receipt of the outcome letter, a student will have up to five business days to file an appeal. All appeals need to be submitted through the Student Grievance Appeal Form In the written appeal, students will be required to clearly identify why they are appealing the decision, including under which of the above grounds they are appealing. If the written appeal does not meet one of the criteria noted above, the student will be notified in writing that their request for appeal is denied.

Lack of sufficient information contained within a written appeal is grounds for denial.

If the appeal meets at least one of the criteria above, most appeals will be reviewed and decided within 20 business days (4 weeks) of the receipt of the appeal. The student will receive written notification of the decision from the individual assigned to hear the appeal. In some instances, the individual(s) assigned to address the appeal may request a meeting with the student appealing a decision; however, such meetings are not necessary for an appeal to be considered and decided upon.

Appeals will typically be heard by the direct supervisor of the original individual(s) assigned to address the student grievance; however, the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or designee, may designate another individual if deemed appropriate. In cases where the grievance involves an employee who reports directly to a Vice President, the initial review will be assigned to a neutral Assistant or Associate Vice President outside that reporting line. The Vice President who directly supervises the employee involved will serve as the final appeal reviewer.