Rules & Regulations
1. Purpose
2. Academic Calendar
3. Notices
4. Attendance
5. Grades / Average
6. Scholastic Regulations
7. Deficiencies
8. Withdrawal/Readmission
9. Scheduling
10. Pass/Fail System
11. Cross Enrollment
12. Examinations
13. Undergraduate Degrees
14. Graduate Degrees
15. Student Vehicles
16. Medical Regulations
17. Extracurricular
18. Academic Honor Code
19. Code of Conduct
20. Grievance Procedures
21. Exceptions
22. Student Bill of Rights

XX. Student Academic Grievance Procedures

C. Steps in the Grievance Process (to be followed in the order presented)

  1. The student shall attempt to resolve the grievance with the individual faculty member, the department, or the unit involved.
  2. If the grievance is not resolved in step C.1. and the student elects to continue the grievance process, the student may request a formal hearing setting forth in writing the complaint and the remedy sought at the school, college, or unit level. Upon receipt of such appeal, the unit director will acknowledge the appeal in writing within seven calendar days and will expeditiously proceed to constitute an ad hoc appeal committee. The unit director will serve as a nonvoting member of the committee. In addition, the following four committee members will be selected:
    1. One tenured faculty member from within the unit, selected by the unit director.
    2. One member of the academic faculty, selected by the student. The student may elect not to select a faculty member; in that case, the committee will consist of three members.
    3. One member from outside the unit, selected by the Student Grievance and Appeal Committee in consultation with the unit director.
    4. One member of the academic faculty selected by the faculty member whose action is in question.
    The committee will proceed with due haste to examine the merits of the complaint and to render a decision within thirty days. During the proceedings, the student may present any and all evidence that the student deems necessary to support the complaint, except that the committee must agree that the evidence is in some way relevant. Such evidence may consist of documentation and/or testimony, within reason. Both complainant and respondent may be accompanied by advisors; the role of advisor must, however, be restricted to advice. Complainant and respondent must make their own cases before the committee.

    Following a hearing and a written decision at the school, college, or unit level, the grievance is presumed to be resolved unless the grievant appeals.
  3. The grievant may appeal the decision that has been rendered by the school, college, or unit to the Student Grievance and Appeal Committee.
    1. If the Committee, or subset thereof appointed by the chairperson, rules that the procedures are not applicable or that based on the facts stated by the grievant viewed in the light most favorable to the grievant, there is no basis for relief, then the appeal is denied.
    2. If the Committee rules that the Institute procedural rules are applicable and that a hearing of the appeal is warranted, the Committee shall initiate a hearing process.
    3. If a student wishes to have a grievance outcome reviewed by the Student Grievance and Appeal Committee with a view to a formal hearing, the student shall observe the following requirements:
      1. The appeal must be in writing. It must state the basis for the grievance and the facts that support it, including a summary of the steps that have already been taken to resolve the grievance, reasons why the student finds the resolutions unfair or unsatisfactory, and a statement of the desired remedy.
      2. The written appeal must be presented to the chairperson of the Student Grievance and Appeal Committee within thirty days after the student has received notice of a decision from a school, college, or unit.
      3. The decision as to whether a formal hearing is warranted shall be made available, in writing, to the parties concerned within thirty days after the Committee has received notice of the appeal.
      4. The Committee may alter a deadline specified in these procedures on written petition of either party showing a meritorious reason for delay; if the Committee itself needs to extend a deadline, it may do so on its own authority for periods up to fourteen calendar days; for longer delays, the Committee must request an extension from the Executive Board of the Institute.
      5. The determination of the Committee as to whether a hearing is warranted is final.
      6. The Committee shall develop and, with the approval of the Academic Senate, establish and publish its own rules of procedures for the conduct of formal hearings.
      7. After receiving testimony and the relevant documents, the Committee shall make a decision within thirty days on the basis of the received material.
      8. The Committee's decision shall contain finding of fact, the decision arrived at, reasons for the decision, and the criteria or policy applied in reaching the decision.

Search Rules & Regulations