S t u d e n t H a n d b o o k : C o m p l a i n t s , G r i e v a n c e s , G r a d e A p p e a l s & C o d e o f C o n d u c t
The Reasonable Standard
The College views all student issues, concerns, and complaints seriously. Thus, a student has a right to be heard and their complaint (and all evidence collected to support that complaint) vetted appropriately. Findings of Complaints and Grievances shall be based on impartiality and recommendations will be based on objectivity, common sense, and good judgment. Committees (charged with investigating complaints) make recommendations and/or decisions based on the “reasonable” standard. In other words, what would a “reasonable” person do or how would a “reasonable” person react. Using this standard, the Deans (charged with fielding formal complaints) and Grievance Committee members will move forward with a decision. The Deans and Grievance Committee members also work from a premise of fairness to all parties involved. In order to guarantee fairness, all formal complaints and Grievance Hearings shall ensure that all relevant evidence is obtained from parties during formal complaint investigations and hearings and that all parties are questioned thoroughly and that all information shared during meetings and/or hearings remain confidential.
Related to Required Cooperation & Dismissal of Complaints (within the Formal Complaint Process) Other Procedural Matters
If a student files an informal or formal complaint, the following procedures apply: (1) The student shall discuss the informal complaint fully at each level in the process in a professional manner. (2) At each level of authority, a decision shall be made based on common sense and good judgment of a reasonable person. (3) Each level may seek the appropriate authority, if necessary, to resolve the complaint. (4) Complaints can be dismissed if the student is no longer willing to discuss the complaint or if he or she misses at least one scheduled meeting to discuss the complaint or if it is determined that a falsehood has been reported by the student.
NOTE: The Grievance process is outside of the scope of the Informal Complaint Process and may be a protracted process taking anywhere from 30 to 45 business days (typically) to meet full resolution, depending on the complexity of the complaint.
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