SECTION FFD.3
STUDENT
STUDENT WELFARE
FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND RETALIATION
STUDENT DISCRIMINATION GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
Procedure
STUDENT DISCRIMINATION GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
A student grievance may result from academic experiences, non-academic matters involving administrators, staff, or student organizations, or matters related to perceived discrimination based on sex, color, race, national origin, age, or handicap. Any student who believes they have been discriminated against by college personnel for any reason, including discrimination on the basis of sex, color, national origin, age, or handicap, has the right to expect due diligence and should contact the Office of Student Services within ten (10) business days of the initial concern to file a Student Discrimination Grievance. A student who works either part-time or full-time for the College and whose grievance is based on a concern involving their employment may contact the Human Resources Office; however, all complaints of student discrimination, harassment, assault or retaliation should be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Services. (See Board Policies; Section DFD and Section FFE on Sexual Misconduct).
After documentation is completed, the office of the Executive Director of Student Services will provide a copy of this information to the Vice President of Student Success. The Vice President of Student Success may collect and review salient points related to the issue or he/she may appoint a committee that serves as a recommending body to the Vice President of Student Success to assist him/her in this matter. If a committee is convened, members will include a staff chairperson, a faculty member, an administrator, a member from student services, and a student. The purpose of the review will be to determine if discrimination is more likely than not to have occurred.
STUDENT DISCRIMINATION GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE CHART
The first contact should be with the Office of Student Services within ten (10) business days of the initial concern. The Office of Student Services will refer the student to the most appropriate chain of command for due process.
If the concern is still not resolved, the Executive Director of Student Services or designee will provide a grievance form to the student to document the issue. Documentation from the student must be submitted within two (2) business days of the student’s receipt of the grievance form.
After documentation is completed, the Executive Director of Student Services, or designee, may collect and review salient points related to the issue or they may appoint a committee that serves as a recommending body. If a committee is convened, members will include three (3) staff and/or faculty members, one of whom will serve as the chairperson, and two (2) students. The purpose of the review will be to determine if discrimination is more likely than not to have occurred.
After review, the Executive Director of Student Services, or designee, will communicate the decision, whether their own or that of the committee, in written form to the complainant. The decision will be forwarded to the Vice President of Operations for personnel accused.
If the complainant agrees with the decision, either the Executive Director of Student Services (for a student accused) or Vice President of Operations (for personnel accused) will, in the case where there was discrimination, seek appropriate redress. The complainant, when not satisfied with the decision, may appeal to the Vice President of Student Success within two (2) business days of receipt of the decision letter from the Executive Director of Student Services.
The Vice President of Student Success will review the data and decision rendered and make their own inquiries, including interviewing the complainant. After due study, a final decision will be rendered. The Vice President’s judgment determines a final and binding decision and serves as the final step in the appeal process.
Approved: 2015
Updated: 2018, 2022, 2024
Reviewed: 2020