Statement of Policy
CCC&TI is committed to mutual respect among all constituents of the college community. The purpose of this procedure is to provide CCC&TI students an equitable and orderly process to resolve grievances other than grade appeals.
Definition
A grievance exists in any situation in which students feel that there has been a violation, misinterpretation, or misapplication of an existing college policy including complaints alleging discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, sexual misconduct, disabling condition, or other personal characteristics.
Every attempt should be made to resolve violations of policy in an informal manner and only when these attempts are not successful should the formal procedure be utilized, except in the case of Sexual Harassment. These cases will be handled through the Sexual Harassment policy and procedures outlined in the Institutional Policy and Procedures Manual. Persons involved in the grievance procedures shall not be coerced, intimidated, or suffer any reprisal.
Step One - Informal Procedure
Prior to filing a formal grievance, students are strongly encouraged to discuss their grievances with the person alleged to have caused the grievance. The purpose of this informal discussion is to provide the student, employee, or other person with authority the opportunity to address and resolve the grievance at the lowest possible level.
a. The student shall first informally discuss the matter in question with the college employee most directly involved. If the meeting with the college employee fails to produce a satisfactory settlement, the student may appeal directly to the employee’s immediate supervisor, who will attempt to mediate a resolution.
b. If these informal discussions do not satisfactorily resolve the grievance, the student may proceed to the Formal Grievance Procedure as outlined in Step Two.
c. The grievance may be initiated at or moved to Step Two without a hearing at a lower step(s), if both parties agree.
Step Two - Formal Procedure
a. A written formal grievance must be filed with the Vice President of Student Services within 20 business days from the date on which the alleged complaint which is the subject of the grievance occurred. Not proceeding to Step Two (2) within the time period will result in the grievance not being heard and the matter being closed.
b. Once the formal grievance is received, the vice president of student services will hear all parties involved in the grievance and render a written decision within 10 business days of receipt of the grievance. If the grievance is against the vice president of student services, the President will perform the functions of the vice president of student services as required by this policy.
i. Should a grievance not be satisfactorily resolved or should no decision be forthcoming in the time prescribed above, the grievance may be submitted to the appeal process as noted in step three (3) within 5 business days. If the decision is not appealed within 5 business days, the grievance will be considered settled on the basis of the last answer provided, and there shall be no further appeal or review.
Step Three - Appeal
If the grievance is not resolved satisfactorily in Step Two, a written formal appeal may be filed with the Office of the President. The appeal must provide a written summary of the specific facts and must contain any other documentation pertinent to the matter. The President will convene the Grievance Committee that will hear all parties involved in the grievance and render a written decision within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal.
a. Time limits under the procedure may be changed by mutual agreement only.
b. The first meeting will be called by the President or by the Chair of the Board of Trustees if the grievance is related to the president. The grievance committee will consist of four standing members one of which will be named the Chair and one additional member which will be selected at the time of the Grievance. A recorder will be assigned to document the proceedings. The parties involved may challenge the impartiality of any of the members selected by the president or by the chair of the Board of Trustees. This committee will act as a hearing committee for all student grievances. The Committee’s decision is final.