REGULATION RE: STUDENT COMPLAINTS OTHER THAN UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION

When a student wishes to lodge a complaint other than unlawful discrimination, he or she may seek redress through the following procedures. Student complaints adjudicated under this regulation are those legitimate complaints against a decision made or action taken by the College that adversely affect a student's status or privileges. These complaints may include matters such as: complaints against college staff, a challenge to a student's academic record, or complaints against a service or program. Student complaints within the purview of this regulation must be filed within thirty (30) days of the incident.

A. Informal Resolution

The student shall first attempt to resolve the complaint through informal consultation with the specific area administrator, instructor, or other college employee against whom the complaint is lodged. Such a meeting should be held in private within ten (10) days after the original complaint is filed. All issues involved should be clearly defined so they may be discussed as objectively as possible. At this preliminary stage, most complaints shall either be resolved or denied by the area administrator if the complaint is found not to be valid.

B. Formal Resolution

1. If the complaint is valid but cannot be satisfactorily resolved at the informal level, then the following procedure shall be followed:

The student shall put his or her complaint in writing, specifying the time, place, and nature of the complaint and shall submit it to the Vice President of Student Services (Associate Vice President at the Education Centers) or designee.
The Vice President (Associate Vice President at the Education Centers) or designee shall arrange a meeting with the student to review and discuss the complaint not later than the fifth day from the date the written complaint was received. The Vice President of Student Services (Associate Vice President at the Education Centers) shall attempt to facilitate an informal resolution of the complaint satisfactory to all of the parties involved.

2. If an informal resolution of the complaint is not possible, the Vice President of Student Services (Associate Vice President at the Education Centers) or designee shall then arrange for a meeting of the College Hearing Committee to convene within a period of fifteen (15) working days to consider the complaint.

a. The College Hearing Committee shall be composed of the following:

(1) Two students appointed by the ASCR President.

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

(3) One classified member appointed by the CSEA President.

(4) One administrator appointed by the President or designee (the administrator shall be the committee chair).

b. The rules that shall govern committee action are:

(1) No committee member may have been previously involved in any way with the issue of the complaint brought before it.

(2) The committee shall discuss the charge, hear testimony, examine witnesses, and receive all evidence pertaining to the charge.

(3) The accuser and the accused person shall be present at the hearing. In the willful absence of the accuser and/or a representative of his/her choice, the complaint will be dismissed.

(4) The person making the complaint shall assume the burden of proof.

(5) The hearing shall be closed to the public if either party so requests.

(6) Official minutes of the hearing will be taken.

(7) The committee shall submit in writing its findings of fact and recommend action to both parties, to the President, and to the Vice President of Student Services (Associate Vice President at the Education Centers) or designee. The President or designee shall render a decision to accept or modify part or all of the Committee's recommendation and shall submit the decision, with stated reasons, to all concerned.

(8) If the President dismisses a complaint involving a college employee, no reference to the complaint shall become part of the employee's record. If the President's 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 or her objections to the decision. This statement shall become part of the student's record.

(9) The decision of the President shall be final.

(10) The President shall refer all records to the Vice President of Student Services (Associate Vice President at the Education Centers) or designee for retention.

Adopted by Board of Trustees March 16, 1982
Revised: June 6, 1994; October 9, 1995