Section 400.00: STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES.

The grievance procedure may be used to resolve any student complaint except those that are covered by a specific university procedure (e.g. the University Judicial Process, the Student Academic Grievance  Procedures, the Anti-Harassment Policy, the Parking Violations Bureau, etc.) No disciplinary or other  unfavorable action may be taken against any student or anyone who may represent a student using the grievance procedures.

Section 400.01 DEFINITION.

A grievance is a student's formal complaint concerning an incident, policy or condition within the institution. This process can not be used by a student to grieve the actions of another student.

Section 400.02 FILING A GRIEVANCE.

1. A student with a grievance or a complaint reports it to the grievance counselor that the Dean of Students has designated to hear grievances. 
2. The grievance counselor will discuss the complaint with the student. Many concerns students may have regarding an incident, policy or condition within the institution can be resolved if the student first expresses a concern to the appropriate unit head of the area in which the concern arises. If the student has not already discussed the complaint with the appropriate unit head, the grievance counselor will refer the student to  the unit head as the first step in filing a grievance.
3. If the grievance is not resolved by the unit head, the student will submit the grievance in writing to the grievance counselor. The written grievance should contain a complete and specific account of the student's complaint, including the names of the people involved, the date and the location of the incident or the condition complained of, any written evidence attached, and the remedy the student seeks.

Section 400.03 GRIEVANCE HEARING.

1. The student may request that a grievance hearing be held before either the grievance counselor or a grievance committee. (Note: the grievance counselor may choose to bring the grievance before the grievance committee at any time.) The grievance committee will be comprised of the grievance counselor, one faculty member from the pool of eligible Judicial Board members, and one student from the pool of eligible Judicial Board members. The grieving student must attend the grievance hearing.
2. The grievance counselor will investigate the student's complaint by gathering information from the involved people named by the student as well as from others as necessary. The grievance counselor may ask those named to respond to the student's complaint in writing. 
3. If a grievance committee hearing is held, the grievance counselor will chair the hearing. Information gathered during the investigation by the grievance counselor will be presented. Any involved party may be called in to respond to the student's complaint during the grievance hearing.
4. The grievance counselor or grievance committee will make recommendations based on information presented at the hearing in an effort to resolve the grievance. The student will be notified of the recommendations, typically within five working days of the hearing.

Section 400.04 APPEALS.

1. If the student is not satisfied with the recommendations of the counselor/committee, the student may file a written appeal to the Dean of Students within three working days of receipt of the decision by the counselor/committee. 
2. The Dean of Students will review the information regarding the grievance which was submitted to the grievance counselor and/or grievance committee. The Dean of Students may choose to gather additional information. Typically, the Dean of Students will notify the student of any recommendations regarding the grievance within ten working days of receiving the appeal.The decision of the Dean of Students is final unless appealed. 
3. If the student is not satisfied with the recommendations from the Dean of Students, the student may file a written appeal to the Provost within three working days of receipt of the Dean of Students' decision. In his/her sole discretion, the Provost may review the appeal. Any decisions made by the Provost are final.

If the student is satisfied that the grievance has been resolved at any point during the grievance process, the process will end.