Grievance Filing Rights

A student, faculty, or staff member of the University may file a grievance regarding the actions of an employee of the University or the actions of another student. There is a separate process listed for each situation below.

Note: Sexual Assault report procedures are explained in the ‘Annual Security Report’ section of the Student Handbook.

Grievance Regarding A Student:

Grievances may be filed regarding a student in situations, such as, but not limited to:

A student, faculty, or staff member of the University perceives that a student violated a policy, as referenced in the Policies and Expectations section of the Handbook.

Step 1

The student, faculty, or staff member of the University should submit an Incident Report form regarding the situation to the Judicial Programs office. An Incident Report form may be obtained from the Judicial Programs office or on the Student Handbook website.

Step 2

The Coordinator of Judicial Programs or other hearing officer will review the report and determine the appropriate course of action, including but not limited to; judicial adjudication, informal resolution, or no action. Note: If a hearing officer chooses to not pursue the incident judicially, however the person who filed the report feels that it ought to be, concerns may be addressed through the Dean of Students and Judicial Programs office.

Step 3

If the documented situation is pursued judicially or informally, the person who filed the report may be required to be involved in the process; such as meeting with a hearing officer, attending a hearing, meeting with all parties involved in the alleged incident, etc.

Submitting an incident report to Judicial Programs does not require that the person who submitted the report continue to follow through with the incident judicially. If after discussing the situation with a hearing officer the person decides that he/she no longer wishes to have the incident processed judicially the options of what can follow will be discussed.

Grievance Regarding a University Employee (non-student):

Grievances may be filed regarding an employee of the University in situations such as but not limited to:

  1. A student believes his or her rights, as described in the Rights of Students section of the Student Handbook, have been violated.
  2. Situations involving academic performance, personal conduct, employment, sexual harassment, or alleged discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, or handicap.

Students may file a grievance regarding an employee of the University with the Vice President of Student Affairs or the Dean of Students. The student will then be advised on appropriate informal/formal courses of action and resolution.

A Grievance Report form may be obtained from the Dean of Students and Judicial Programs office or from the Student Handbook website.