REGULATIONS RE: ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS

For the purpose of this regulation, a student complaint against a faculty member is defined as a claim by a student that his/her status or privileges as a student have been adversely affected by a faculty person's decision or action. These complaints may include, but are not limited to, disputes on grading and unfair treatment of the student in a course or related activity.

Student complaints under this regulation must be related to the student's status while enrolled in a specific course or related activity and can only be made against the faculty member(s) assigned to the course or related activity. Academic complaints must be filed within thirty (30) working days of the incident.

Student complaints against a faculty member shall follow this process:


STEP 1

A. The student meets in person with the faculty member in an attempt to resolve the complaint. If the student and/or faculty member cannot agree to meet, the student shall proceed to Item 1B.

B. The student shall seek further assistance from the appropriate faculty members department chair, or division/center dean within five (5) working days. It is the responsibility of the Department Chair or division/center dean to refer the complaint and name of the complainant to the faculty member and continue efforts toward problem resolution. If the matter is not resolved, the student may proceed to Step 2.

STEP 2

The student shall meet with the division/center dean of the faculty member s division. The division/center dean shall set up a meeting between the parties to take place within fifteen (15) working days. The role of the division/center dean at this meeting is that of a facilitator to help parties resolve the complaint. If the complaint is resolved, the matter is considered closed. In the event that a resolution cannot be obtained, the division/center dean shall complete the Step 2 Written Level Complaint Form, have it signed by all parties, and submit it to the Vice President, Academic Affairs (center deans shall submit this form to the President or designee). The matter then proceeds to Step 3.

STEP 3
A. The Vice President of Academic Affairs shall, within fifteen (15) working days from the receipt of the complaint form, schedule a meeting of the Academic Complaints Committee. This committee shall hear the complaint from the student as well as the position of the faculty member.

B. The Academic Complaints Committee is composed as follows:

1. Two (2) students appointed by the ASCR President.

2. Two (2) faculty members appointed by the Academic Senate President.

3. One administrator appointed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs (appointed by the President when the complaint is against faculty at the centers). The administrator shall chair the committee.

C. The committee shall be governed by these guidelines:

1. The committee shall comply with the established rules of confidentiality.

2. No committee member shall have been previously involved in any way with the issue or complaint brought before the committee.

3. No witness shall have previously or currently filed a complaint against the faculty member.

4. The committee shall discuss the charge, hear testimony, examine witnesses, and receive all evidence/input pertaining to the charge.

5. The student and faculty member shall be present at the hearing. Failure by the student to attend the scheduled hearing shall cause the complaint to be dismissed and all records discarded. Failure by the faculty member to attend such a scheduled hearing shall be a violation of this policy, and the complaint will be found in favor of the student.

6. The student shall assume the burden of proof.

7. The student shall be allowed sufficient time to state the complaint and desired resolution. The faculty member shall have sufficient time to present his/her statement concerning the student s complaints. After initial opening statements have been made, the committee shall be permitted to question the student and faculty member.

8. The hearing shall be closed to the public unless either the faculty member or the student requests, in advance, a public hearing.

9. Official minutes of the hearing shall be taken.

STEP 4

A. The committee chair shall submit in writing the committee s findings of the facts, committee vote, and recommended action, to both the student and faculty member, and to the Vice President of Academic Affairs (for the centers deans, the President) within five (5) working days. The committee chair shall provide this information on the Academic Complaint Committee s Report.

A decision to concur with the complaint and/or recommend further action requires an affirmation vote by the majority of the committee. Failure to achieve the above-specified majority vote shall result in the dismissal of the complaint and the discarding of all records, unless the decision is appealed to the President s designee.

B. Within five (5) working days after the receipt of the findings and recommendations of the committee, the Vice President of Academic Affairs (or President, for the centers) shall render a decision to accept or modify all or part of the committee's recommendation and shall transmit his/her decision to all concerned parties.

C. If either party is dissatisfied with the recommendation of the committee, he or she shall consult, within five (5) working days, with the President and express his/her position. The President may accept or reject the previous decision of the Academic Complaints Committee and shall submit a decision with stated reasons to all concerned.

D. Should either party be dissatisfied with the President s final decision, they can appeal to the Board of Trustees within ten (10) working days of the President s final decision. The appeal should be made through the President, who shall schedule the appeal at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.

E. The Vice President of Academic Affairs shall retain complaint materials for two (2) years.

STEP 5

A. Upon entering this process, the student must complete steps 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 before proceeding to the Board of Trustees.

B. All participants should be aware that the employee (faculty member) or the student may request a public session on the issue at the Board of Trustees level, if appealed to the Board of Trustees.

C. If the Board dismisses the complaint, all documents shall not become part of the student s record. If the complaint is not dismissed, the District may refer to the issues raised in the complaint in the employee s (faculty member's) regular evaluation.

If the Board s final decision is unfavorable to the student, or if the student accepts an unfavorable decision, the student shall have the right to submit a written statement of his/her
objections to the decision. This statement shall become part of the student s record until such time as the evidence is proved to be valid or invalid.

D. The decision of the Board of Trustees shall be final.


Adopted by Board of Trustees: June 6, 1994

Exhibit No. 528.01

COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS

ACADEMIC COMPLAINT COMMITTEE WRITTEN LEVEL COMPLAINT FORM

(To Be Completed by the Division/Center Dean, Signed by Both Parties, and Submitted to the Academic Complaints Committee Through the Vice President of Academic Affairs)

Name of Student: ____________________________         Date:_____________

Name of Faculty Member:___________________________________________

Student's Statement of Complaint (be brief, but specific, with details):






Solution Desired by Student:





Student's Signature _____________________________ Date _____________

Faculty Member's Comments:





Faculty Member's Signature _______________________ Date _____________

Division/Center Dean's Comments:





Division/Center Dean's Signature _______________________ Date _____________

Copies to be distributed as follows: Student, Faculty Member, Department Chair, Division/Center Dean, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and President.

Exhibit No. 528.02

COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS

ACADEMIC COMPLAINT COMMITTEE REPORT

Date: _______________________

Name of Student: _______________________

Name of Faculty Member Against Whom Complaint Has Been Made: _______________________

Committee Findings:











Action and Recommendation(s) of the Committee*:











*NOTE: This action requires 2/3 vote (3 Yes Votes), otherwise the matter is dismissed.

SIGNATURES:

Chair Faculty 1  _____________________________________________

Student 1        _____________________________________________

Faculty 2        _____________________________________________

Student 2        _____________________________________________