All members of the CCSNH community are encouraged to make efforts to resolve conflicts informally before pursuing grievance or complaint procedures whenever appropriate. Students are encouraged to talk with or respond in writing to other students, faculty, or staff members to seek resolution to their concerns. In some cases, the institution acknowledges that such action may be inappropriate and/or ineffective in situations regarding potential discrimination or when there is the potential of an imbalance of power. In such situations, or if informal resolution is not possible, the student may pursue the complaint procedures described below to resolve concerns involving another student, faculty or staff.
A. Student Alleged Discrimination Process: If a student feels they have been experienced bias or discrimination based on race, creed, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or law enforcement, military, veteran, or marital status, they should use this process to report. As stated above, a student may elect to resolve a conflict informally first. Please note a student is never required to confront a faculty or staff member in situations regarding discrimination. In any situation regarding discrimination in regards to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression students should contact the Title IX coordinator at their home campus. The Title IX process can be found here.
1. If the individual elects not to resolve the matter informally a formal grievance in writing must be submitted to:
a. The Vice President of Student Affairs for grievances not related to the instructional process or grade dispute.
b. Or through the chosen reporting structure set forth at the college.
2. The grievance should be submitted as soon as the complainant is able to report. A grievance that is submitted past a timely period will be evaluated to the extent the appropriate College Official is able to investigate. Timely reporting allows the college to follow up with the respondent in an appropriate fashion. The grievance shall specify the discrimination or event that took place and state briefly the underlying facts.
3. The Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA), or designee, including senior administrator at another college, will meet with the individual alleged to have violated the student’s rights. The VPSA, or designee, including senior administrator at another college, may attempt to resolve the issue informally at this stage. If resolution is not possible and the VPSA or designee, including senior administrator at another college determines that the grievance alleges facts which if true constitute a violation of the student’s rights and has been timely filed, the matter will be forwarded to the College Official who convene the Judicial Committee within two weeks of the receipt of the formal grievance.
4. If the VPSA or designee, including senior administrator at another college determines that the grievance does not state a violation of the student’s rights or is untimely, the VPSA or designee, including senior administrator at another college will provide a written explanation to the student and the matter will be considered resolved at that point.
B. General Student Grievance: (Not including Grade Appeal)
1. Students are encouraged to discuss complaints regarding faculty, teaching instruction, or staff interactions with the specific employee involved, e.g., instructor, staff member, or student, to resolve the issue informally.
2. If the issue cannot be resolved by pursuing the process in step 1, or the individual is concerned regarding the outcome of the discussion in step 1, a formal grievance in writing must be submitted to:
a. The Vice President of Academic Affairs for grievances related to the instructional process (Refer to CCSNH Academic Affairs Policy 670.04. for separate process for Grade Change/Appeal process), or:
b. The Vice President of Student Affairs for grievances not related to the instructional process.
3. The grievance should be submitted as soon as the complainant is able to report. A grievance that is submitted past a timely period will be evaluated to the extent the appropriate College Official is able to investigate. Timely reporting allows the college to follow up with the respondent in an appropriate fashion. The grievance shall specify the discrimination or event that took place and state briefly the underlying facts.
4. The Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) or Student Affairs (VPSA), or designee, including senior administrator at another college, will meet with the individual alleged to have violated the student’s rights. The VPAA/VPSA, or designee, including senior administrator at another college, may attempt to resolve the issue informally at this stage. If resolution is not possible and the VPAA/VPSA or designee, including senior administrator at another college determines that the grievance alleges facts which if true constitute a violation of the student’s rights and has been timely filed, the matter will be forwarded to the appropriate College Official who will start the process of investigation if necessary. If the VPAA/VPSA or designee, including senior administrator at another college determines that the grievance does not state a violation of the student’s rights or is untimely, the VPAA/VPSA will provide a written explanation to the student and the matter will be considered resolved at that point.
C. Student Grade Appeal: Refer to CCSNH Academic Affairs Policy 670.04.