Student Grievances
The Student Government Association (SGA) provides for participation in the formulation and application of College policy affecting academic and student affairs with the assistance of the Dean of Student Services. Proposals for changes in policy, regulations, or procedures, which affect the student body as a whole, are to be directed through the SGA and the Dean of Student Services to appropriate College administrators. Students have the right, individually, to appeal any decision which adversely affects them.
The proper procedure for such an appeal is to contact the Dean of Student Services who will advise and assist individuals in directing complaints to the proper office. Students who have grievances with other Western Piedmont Community College students which do not involve violations of state, federal or local law or violations of the Student Code of Conduct should direct their concerns to the Dean of Student Services. It is the legal right of all students, and the responsibility of Western Piedmont Community College to ensure, that all grievances are given due process as stated in the Policy Manual, Section 4.7-8, Student Due Process, which also appears below.
Student Grievance Process
A formal complaint may be filed at any time by a student who believes a personal right has been violated. However, all students, faculty members, administrators, and/or staff members involved have an obligation to make every effort to resolve problems fairly and informally so that they do not become sources of grievances to be pursued formally through the grievance procedure. Grievances may arise over sexual harassment or alleged discrimination on the basis of race, religion, status, sex, age, national origin or handicap.
If a suitable solution cannot be reached through independent means among the aggrieved parties, a formal grievance may be initiated by a student who wishes to appeal to the Dean of Student Services in cases arising from violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
It is expected that formal complaints will begin with Step I as outlined below. However, because of the private and sensitive nature of sexual harassment and possibly certain other incidents, aggrieved students may choose a third-party mediator to help resolve such a complaint on an informal basis. Such mediation activities shall continue for a period of no more than 30 class days or until resolution is achieved. Should such resolution efforts fail, students may initiate the formal grievance procedure outlined in Step II below (or in the case of disputes among students, the complaint may be referred to the Dean of Student Services). Continued grievances or appeals that address the same issue and present no new evidence may be considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Step I
Any and all complaints must be presented formally, in writing, within ten (10) business days of students becoming aware of the alleged grievance and within one year of its occurrence. In cases where this is the first formal step in an alleged sexual harassment or other private and sensitive grievance, students should move to Step II. Students opting to exercise the formal grievance procedure should so notify the concerned staff/faculty member or administrator, present a written summary of the complaint to the individual, and set up a time to meet and discuss the issue. In the oral presentation of the complaint, all parties shall make a good faith effort to resolve the matter. The staff/faculty member or administrator shall then give a formal written response to the complaint within ten business days and make a copy available to the student from the Dean of Student Services.
Step II
If aggrieved student believes the policy/procedures of WPCC were not followed in making the decision or new facts arise, they shall, within ten business days of receiving the above decision, notify the appropriate parties in writing that they wish to pursue the issue with the Dean of Student Services. In cases where this is the first formal step in an alleged sexual harassment or other private and sensitive grievance students should notify the concerned staff/faculty member or administrator in writing, within ten (10) business days of the failure of informal resolution with a summary of the complaint. Proper notification depends on the College employee involved.
- For a faculty member: notify that faculty member, the Division Dean, and the Vice President for Academic and Student Success.
- For a staff member: notify that staff member, the staff member’s supervisor, and the appropriate Vice President.
- For a senior administrator: notify that person and the College President.
Students shall meet with the faculty/staff member or administrator and the above notified parties to discuss the grievance within ten business days of the notification. The Dean, administrative officer, or immediate supervisor (whichever is applicable from above) shall render a decision and advise the parties in writing of a decision within ten business days.
If the decision involves a finding of fault, it will include a statement of the sanction to be imposed. Failure of the faculty/staff member or administrator to meet the deadline dates established within any of the steps of the grievance procedures moves the process to Step III. Failure of students to meet time specifications acknowledges students’ acceptance of the decision of the previous step. Students then forfeit the right to pursue the grievance further.
Step III
If aggrieved student believes WPCC policy/procedures were not followed in making the decision or new facts arise, they shall, within ten business days of receiving the above decision, notify the appropriate parties in writing that they wish to pursue the issue. A formal hearing may be held as determined appropriate by the President. The party requesting the review shall provide a written summary of the specific facts of the complaint, the position of the parties involved, and the decisions that have been recommended.
The President may render a decision, conduct a hearing personally, or appoint a committee to conduct a hearing, which shall make recommendations to the President. In any case, the President shall render the decision in writing to the parties involved within ten business days from receipt of the written complaint. The formal hearing will be conducted in closed session, and the parties involved may be represented by legal counsel. Transcripts of the proceedings will be maintained by the College for one year with copies made available to the complainant. The President’s decision is final.