5.01 STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Currently enrolled Labette Community College students may appeal an instance of misapplication of college policy, procedure, or practice, which adversely affects him.  The student may not appeal the following:

A. The receipt of academic sanctions;  NOTE “a grade” is deleted

B. Established College policies or procedures themselves.

 

The College Student Grievance Procedure provides the student due process in the resolution of appeals other than those noted above.  Where a specific College process is provided for resolution of a complaint it must be used.  The decision shall be final if either party fails to employ the steps and time periods of the Student Grievance Procedure. 

1. A student who alleges that he/she has been adversely affected by the misapplication of College policy, procedure, practice or grade shall first meet informally with the person applying such to discuss the situation in an attempt to reach an informal resolution. 

2. The issue will be considered resolved at this level if both parties sign a statement that the grievance has been resolved, or neither person chooses not to appeal the decision in writing to the appropriate supervisor within five (5) working days. 

3. If this meeting does not resolve the situation the following procedure shall be used if any written appeal is filed.

 

Level One Appeal:

1. The student shall, within five (5) business days of receiving hand delivered notification, or ten class (10) days if notification is mailed, that informal resolution has failed, submit written material to the College official who is the direct supervisor of the individual who allegedly misapplied the College policy, procedure, grade or practice. 

2. The student is to send a copy to the employee.  If the direct supervisor is a senior college official (Vice President or President) the process moves to Level Three (3).

3. The written materials should:

a. Indicate that a formal grievance of the issue is being initiated.

b. Request reconsideration.

c. Explain the specific situation being appealed, including when, witnesses, witness statements, syllabus, assignments, etc.

d. State the specific basis for the grievance, including the policy, procedure, grade or practice.

e. Include any written evidence and state what additional evidence is available for presentation. 

4. The supervisor should meet separately with the employee and the student to review the decision and try to resolve the issue. 

5. The issue will be resolved at this level if both the employee and student sign acceptance of an agreement that the issue has been resolved or if the matter is not appealed to the next level.  (Supervisor is to appropriately file this incident.)

6. The supervisor has five (5) business days to attempt to negotiate an amicable settlement and notify the student.

 

Level Two Appeal:

1. If the decision is adverse to the student, she/he may appeal the decision to the next immediate supervisor within five business days thereafter except if the immediate supervisor is a senior College official (Vice President or President).  In that case, the process moves to Level Three.

2. The supervisor will be provided copies of all previously considered materials from the student and written materials from the employee on which the earlier decision was based. 

3. The supervisor will review all supporting materials submitted as well as any other relevant materials and will meet with the student and the employee within five business days thereafter to further discuss and clarify the question at issue. 

4. The supervisor will render a written decision to the student and the employee within two additional business days.

5. The student may appeal the decision of the supervisor to the Appeals Committee within two class days after receipt of the decision by filing written notice to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

 

Level Three Appeal:

1. The Appeals Committee shall be of the same membership and makeup as that noted earlier.  It shall operate within the same framework as that stated under Section 4 and Section 3.04.  

2. The Appeals Committee will make recommendations in writing on the dispensation of the appeal to the Vice President for Student Affairs:

a. These recommendations may be to affirm, reject, or modify any previous decision regarding this grievance. 

b. The VPSA will review the committee’s recommendation and all supporting documents with the committee chair. 

c. The committee’s recommendation is advisory and the VPSA will render a written decision on the appeal to all involved parties within five business days of receipt of the committee’s recommendation, including the committee chair. 

d. The decision on the appeal at this level is final.

 

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