Employee Handbook

XX. Student Grievance Procedures29

Students who witness crimes on campus or feel that they are victims of crimes which occurred on campus should report the incidents to the Campus Security Office immediately. The procedures described here are meant for students who feel that they have a legitimate grievance against an employee of the College or a fellow student.

Lee College is committed to securing at the first possible level, prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints, including those alleging discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, handicap or veteran status. Further, the right of the grievant is protected in that he/she has the right of representation at all levels of the process and is protected against harassment and intimidation from Lee College employees and students.

College policy specifically prohibits sexual harassment of students by College employees and other students. (see Sexual Harassment).

Student complaints regarding discipline and administrative decisions regarding the awarding of Financial Aid are excluded from the policies and procedures described here. Also, the right of an instructor to determine and award grades shall not be affected by this policy except for compelling reasons. An instructor or College employee who is the subject of a student complaint may be present and/or represented at any level of the complaint process.

The student grievance/appeal procedure takes two forms: one for complaints or concerns involving instruction, the other for non-instructional complaints.

A. Instructional Issues

LEVEL ONE--Students with complaints or concerns about their instructors should discuss the matter with the instructor before requesting a conference with the Division Chair.

LEVEL TWO--Students with complaints or grievances regarding an instructional issue must request a conference with the division chair. If the complaint is not resolved to the student's satisfaction, he/she may proceed to Level Three.

LEVEL THREE--If the outcome at Level Two does not satisfy the student he/she may, within 15 days, request a conference with the appropriate instructional dean, either the Dean of Academic Studies or the Dean of Applied Sciences and Community Education.

Prior to, or at the conference, the student shall submit a written complaint that includes a statement of the complaint and any evidence in support of the complaint, the solution sought, the student's signature, and the date of the meeting with the division chair.

LEVEL FOUR--If the outcome at Level Three does not satisfy the student, he/she may, within five working days, notify the Dean of Student Development and Institutional Planning of his/her desire to appeal the instructional dean's decision to the Academic Appeals Committee.

The Academic Appeals Committee shall consist of two faculty members and two students. The Dean of Student Development and Institutional Planning shall preside over the meeting but have no vote except in the case of a tie. Prior to or at the conference, the student shall submit the written statements required at Level Three and the date of the conference with the instructional dean.

The decision of the Academic Appeals Committee is final; it cannot be appealed within the college. However, a student who is not satisfied with the outcome of this procedure may write a letter explaining his/her position and have it appended to his/her academic record.

B. Non-Instructional Issues

LEVEL ONE--Students with complaints or grievances not related to instruction must request a conference with the Director of Counseling. If the problem is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student by the Director of Counseling, he/she may proceed to Level Two.

LEVEL TWO-- If the outcome at Level One does not satisfy the student he/she may, within 15 days, request a conference with the Dean of Student Development and Institutional Planning.

Prior to or at the conference, the student shall submit a written complaint that includes a statement of the complaint and any evidence in its support, the solution sought, the student's signature, and the date of the meeting with the Director of Counseling.

LEVEL THREE--If the outcome at Level Two does not satisfy the student, he/she may, within five working days, appeal the decision made at Level Two to the College President or his/her designee, who shall schedule and hold a conference. Prior to or at the conference the student shall submit the written statements required at Level Two and the date of the conference with the Dean.

LEVEL FOUR--If the outcome of the conference with the College President or his/her designee does not satisfy the student, he/she may submit to the President a written request to place the matter on the agenda of the Board of Regents under the agenda item "Audience to Patrons and Petitions."

If the complaint involves complaints or charges against an employee, it will be heard by the Board in executive session unless the employee who is the subject of the complaint requests an open hearing.

Students who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the grievance procedure may write a letter explaining their position and have it placed in their permanent record.

29 Adopted from Lee College Catalogue, 2002-2003, Based on Board Policy FLD Local, Issued 2/03/1997