Student Grievances and Appeals

The college shall ensure that students be served equitably and appropriately at all times. Any student who feels unfairly or inappropriately treated is encouraged to pursue resolution through this policy. Every effort should be made to resolve the issues informally before pursuing formal petition and hearing mechanisms.

Grievances are appropriately claimed with regard to, but are not limited to, allegations of the following nature:

• a violation of rules and/or procedures of the college;
• arbitrary or capricious action by a college employee;
• improper removal from the college or a program of the college for academic reasons;
• improper denial of admission or re-admission to the college or a program of the college;
• inaccurate or inappropriate information contained in the student’s record; and
• improper suspension from the college for disciplinary reasons.

Complaints regarding the assignment of course grades should be made in accordance with the college’s Grade Review policy and are not subject to this Student Grievance and Appeal Procedure.

Complaints of discrimination toward students on the basis of race, age, handicap, creed, religion, marital status, national origin or gender should be reported to the appropriate college officials in accordance with the college’s non-discrimination policy (in the front of the catalog) and are not subject to this Student Grievance and Appeal procedure.

Complaints of sexual harassment toward students should be reported to the appropriate college officials in accordance with the College’s Sexual Harassment policy and are not subject to this Student Grievance and Appeal procedure.

This policy is not intended for reviewing the professional judgment of faculty regarding the assessment of the quality of work of their students and shall not abridge, circumvent nor diminish academic freedom in any way (Board Policy 5.40).