Student Grievance Procedures

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Student Grievance – Academic Standards

Students aggrieved by Gila Community College actions of an academic nature shall have the opportunity for a hearing through this policy. Matters involving Academic Integrity are addressed through Procedure PR-6010.01. This policy does not apply to grievances subject to the FERPA appeal process or other source of applicable authority. 

The Instructor’s qualifications and rights to determine academic standards are respected and accepted. The Instructor shall be accountable for establishing and maintaining appropriate academic standards for course work.

Complaint about academic standards arises, with the exception of sexual harassment, the student shall subscribe to the following procedure. Complaints of sexual harassment should follow the procedure described in Gila County Community College District (GCCCD) Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy 2020. The student’s right for grievance shall be forfeited if the complaint is not addressed through the procedure outlined below. The hearing process does not suspend any actions which are being grieved.

Definitions:

  • Days – College business days
  • Complainant – Student alleging complaint
  • Instructor – College Instructor(s) responsible for the program or action for which the student complainant has a grievance
  • Academic Standards Committee Chair – Campus official designated by the Interim President/President to oversee academic affairs with direction/guidance from the Vice President of Academics
  • Academic Standards Committee – College committee charged with responsibility to advise the Interim President/President and Vice President of Academics on policies, standards, rules and regulations for academic standards and student admission; and to serve as an appeals committee for grievances concerning academic standards
  • Academic Standard - All actions relating to grades, grading standards, Instructor conduct, materials presented in a classroom environment by the Instructor or assistant, and Instructor discrimination against a student exclusive of harassment/discrimination as defined by Federal or State laws.

Procedure:

  1. The Complainant shall meet with the Instructor within five (5) days of the action giving rise to the grievance, so both parties may be afforded an opportunity to clarify facts and to reach a mutually acceptable solution. If the Instructor is unable to meet with the student, the procedure will automatically move to Step 2 – written notice.
  2. If the concern is not resolved in Step 1, the Complainant shall provide a written notice identifying the problem and requesting a meeting to the Academic Standards Committee Chair within five (5) days of the conclusion of the meeting in Step 1. Within five (5) days of receipt of the request the Academic Standards Committee Chair shall arrange for a meeting to include the following individuals: the Academic Standards Committee Chair, the Instructor, and the Complainant. The focus of this meeting is to attempt to mediate an acceptable solution.
  3. If the concern is not resolved in Step 2, the Complainant shall provide a written request for a hearing by the Academic Standards Committee. The request shall articulate the complaint and shall be delivered to the Academic Standards Chair within five (5) days after receiving a recommended solution as provided in Step 2. Within ten (10) days of receipt of the request, but not less than three (3) days of receipt of request, the Chairperson of the Academic Standards Committee shall arrange for a hearing. The Complainant and the Instructor shall attend the committee hearing. Within ten (10) days of the conclusion of the hearing, the Chairperson of the Academic Standards Committee shall set forth a written document addressing the findings of fact and the decision reached by the Committee. Copies shall be addressed to the Complainant, the Instructor, and the Vice President of Academics. Decisions made by the Academic Standards Committee are final.

Student Grievance – Non-Academic Standards

Students aggrieved by Gila Community College actions of a non-academic nature shall have the opportunity for a hearing as described in this policy. This policy does not apply to grievances subject to another source of applicable authority.

When a complaint related to a non-academic action is alleged by a student, with the exception of sexual harassment, the student shall subscribe to the following procedure. Complaints of sexual harassment should follow the procedure described in the Gila County Community College District’s (GCCCD) Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy 2020. The student’s right for grievance shall be forfeited if the complaint is not addressed through the procedure described below. The hearing process does not suspend any actions which are being grieved.

Definitions:

  • Days – College business days
  • Complainant – Student alleging complaint
  • Official – College official(s) responsible for the program or action for which the student complainant has a grievance
  • Judiciary Committee Chair - Authorized designee selected by the Interim President/President for oversight of student affairs with direction/guidance from the Vice President of Academics
  • Judiciary Committee – The Judiciary Committee serves as an appeals committee for student grievances involving non-academic standards. The Committee is also charged with responsibility to advise the Interim President/President and Vice President of Academics on policies, standards, rules, and regulations for non-academic standards that are applied in the grievance process.
  • Non-Academic Standards - All institutional actions not already subject to another applicable authority

Procedure:

  1. The Complainant shall meet with the Official(s) responsible for the program or activity within five (5) days of the action giving rise to the grievance, so both parties may be afforded an opportunity to clarify facts and reach a mutually acceptable resolution. If the responsible College official is unable to meet with the student, the procedure will automatically move to Step 2 - written notice.
  2. If the concern is not resolved in Step 1, the Complainant shall provide a written notice identifying the problem and requesting a meeting with the Judiciary Committee Chair within five (5) days of the conclusion of the meeting in Step 1. Within five (5) days of receipt of the request, the Judiciary Committee Chair shall arrange for a meeting with the Complainant and the Official and attempt to mediate an acceptable resolution.
  3. If the concern is not resolved in Step 2, the Complainant shall provide a written request for a hearing by the Judiciary Committee. The request shall articulate the complaint and shall be delivered to the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee within five (5) days after receiving a recommended resolution as provided in Step 2. Within ten (10) days of receipt of the request for a hearing, but not less than three (3) days of receipt of the request, the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee shall arrange for a hearing. The Complainant and the Official shall attend the hearing. Within ten (10) days of the conclusion of the hearing, the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee shall set forth a written document addressing the findings of fact and the decision reached by the Committee. Copies shall be addressed to the Complainant, the Official, and the Vice President of Academics. Decisions made by the Judiciary Committee are final.