Grievance Process (Formal):

  1. If satisfactory resolution cannot be reached through the informal grievance process, and if the grievant wishes to pursue a formal complaint, the grievant should write a letter (petition of grievance) to the supervisor of the college employee charged in the grievance. This letter should be as detailed as possible in explaining the reason(s) for the grievance.
  2. The supervisor shall review the case, consulting with the persons directly involved, and shall respond to the grievant in writing within 10 business days of receipt of the letter.
  3. If the grievant is not satisfied with the outcome of Step 2, he/she may request a hearing before the Student Grievance and Appeal Committee. Such request must be submitted in writing to the vice president who supervises the organizational unit of the employee who is charged in the grievance. The request must be submitted within 10 business days of receipt of the supervisor's response in Step 2. The vice president shall then notify the Student Grievance and Appeal Committee chairperson of the request for a hearing, and the chairperson shall then convene the committee as soon as possible, but with due consideration for making the time as convenient as possible for the parties involved. The committee shall review the case and issue a recommendation to the vice president, who may accept or reject it and implement an alternative course of action. The student will be notified of the committee's recommendation and the vice president's decision.
  4. A student may appeal the vice president's decision to the college president within 10 business days of receiving notice of the committee's decision.
  5. The president's decision shall be final in the grievance and appeal process.