Grievances Policy
Grievance: A grievance is normally an allegation, based on specific facts, that a misinterpretation, discriminatory application, or violation of a University Policy or Procedure has occurred, and may result in disciplinary action against a faculty member, staff member, or student. It may also be a complaint that failed to reach a resolution after informal processes have been attempted. Admissions decisions, graduation appeals and similar academic decisions are not grievable issues, unless they are complaints of a civil rights nature, including complaints related to age, sex, race, religion, creed, color, ethnic/national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic background, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or other personal characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Overview of Procedures
The name of a grievant and all details with respect to the complaint and its resolution will be maintained in a confidential file. All such information will be kept confidential, provided however that such information may be disclosed when administratively required, required to complete the investigation, and/or required by legal compulsion, or when the University believes it is obligated to report the matter to employers or potential employers, educational institution or agencies seeking information as to the complainant or to otherwise take independent formal action. In cases of academic dishonesty (see Section III - Violations of the Student Code of Conduct Handbook), the Dean or Program Director/Lead may consult with the instructor in finalizing the academic actions that may be taken. The University may post or describe specific conduct complaints and their resolutions, provided that individuals’ names are redacted from any such posting or communication.
Procedures for Resolution
The intent of the grievance procedure is to resolve a dispute over significant issues, not minor disagreements. Examples include but are not limited to alleged violations of academic freedom; a repeated pattern of harassment or other inappropriate behavior; and legally prohibited unequal treatment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, creed, color, ethnic/national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic background, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or other personal characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law only if such discrimination or harassment falls outside the scope of Title IX. If the issue involves Title IX prohibited conduct, the grievance will be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who will follow the Title IX Grievance Process. The Title IX Coordinator may refer issues that fall outside the scope of Title IX to the Provost to determine if it should follow the Grievance Procedure.
- A student must submit the grievance in writing in detail to the Office of the Provost and include all pertinent information within 45 business days after attempting to follow the Complaint Procedure. Such information must include the informal steps taken to resolve the issue, with all steps fully documented as to the person(s) with whom the student met, date, results of the meeting(s), and materials presented during the informal resolution stage. The student must be specific as to the issue being grieved, citing the example(s) of treatment leading to the grievance. Grievance Form
- The Office of the Provost will review the grievance within five (5) working days and, if necessary, request additional information from the grievant. The Provost (a) may decide to be a single decision maker or may (b) form a Grievance Committee which shall include at a minimum two faculty members not from the student’s program of enrollment and one administrator, not to include the Program Director/Dean of the student’s program of enrollment, the Provost, or the President.
- The Grievance Committee will have a minimum of 30 business days from receipt of the grievance from the Provost to review the grievance, obtain further information from members of the University who may have knowledge of the situation and the grievant, and make a determination as to grievance resolution, providing its recommendation to the Provost.
- The Provost will have five (5) business days to provide the University’s response to the grievance.
University decisions regarding grievance resolution are final. Should a student feel that the Provost’s Decision on behalf of the University has not adequately addressed a grievance, the student may consider contacting external agencies such as:
WASC, Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501
510-748-9001
www.wascsenior.org
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
Distance education students may file a complaint with GA-SARA by completing and electronically submitting the GA-SARA Online Student Complaint Form. To file a formal complaint, please follow the SARA Student Complaint Procedure Policy (click for link) in its entirety before submitting the complaint to GA-SARA. Additional information regarding the SARA complaint process and procedure is available on the NC-SARA Student Complaints webpage.
Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
Arizona Students: If the complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting the institution's grievance procedure, the student may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. The student must contact the State Board for further details. The State Board address is 1740 W. Adams, Ste. 3008, Phoenix, AZ 85007, phone 602-542-5709, website address: www.ppse.az.gov.
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) (for students enrolled under and residents of California)
A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling 888-370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau's Web site www.bppe.ca.gov.
California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) (for students enrolled under and residents of California)
If a nursing student does not feel that the University has adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may consider contacting the following respective agency:
1747 North Market Boulevard, Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834
916-322-3350
www.rn.ca.gov.
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNEP) - Available option for all students
Student in the State of Georgia may appeal any final decisions made by the University to:
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
East Exchange Place, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084-5305
770-414-3300
https://gnpec.georgia.gov/student-resources/complaints-against-institution.
Iowa Department of Education's Bureau of Iowa College Aid
400 E. 14th Street
De Moines, IA 50319
Student Complaint Page: https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/student-complaints
Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 520
Topeka, KS 6612
785-430-4240
https://www.kansasregents.org/academic_affairs/private_out_of_state/complaint_process
New Mexico Higher Education Department
A student in the State of New Mexico may file a complaint by contacting the New Mexico Higher Education Department. Pursuant to New Mexico Code 5.99.1.15.A, no adverse action shall be taken against the complainant for registering the complaint.
New Mexico Higher Education Department
2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-476-8400
Email: private.schools@state.nm.us
Web Site: www.hed.state.nm.us
The Licensure Division of the University of North Carolina System Office
A student in the State of North Carolina may file a complaint with the System Office:
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
University of North Carolina System Office
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Chapel Hill, NC 27603
919-962-4550
Email: studentcomplaints@northcarolina.edu
Web Site: http://www.northcarolina.edu/complaints
Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
Students should attempt to resolve any grievances they may have with their school first. Should attempts to resolve these problems with appropriate school officials fail, or should the student be dissatisfied with the final outcome of the college complaint process, then the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), can respond to a formal complaint. Students may contact the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, 3225 25th St. SE, Salem, OR 97302 or by sending an email to complaints@hecc.oregon.gov. Students may also access our complaints web page.