Students with Disabilities—Grievance Procedures
Informal Complaint Procedure
If a student is comfortable, she or he should speak first about the concerns with his or her faculty member, program director or college dean. In these discussions, a satisfactory resolution may be readily found.
An applicant who feels she or he has been discriminated against because of a disability may speak with his or her enrollment representative regarding the situation or contact the Department of Diversity, Access and Equity. A student or applicant who is uncertain about filing a formal complaint may wish to discuss the question informally with the Director of Diversity and Employment; 847.947.5275; FAX 847.947.5610. This informal discussion may result in the development of an approach enabling the student or applicant to deal with the situation or the Director of Diversity and Employment may take the complaint under formal review.
Formal Grievance Procedure
A student or applicant who decides to file a formal complaint should contact the Department of Diversity, Access and Equity, 847.947.5275. If the grievance concerns the actions of the Director of Diversity and Employment, the grievance will be investigated by an impartial university official. All other grievances will be promptly investigated and reviewed by the Director of Diversity and Employment. The purpose of the review is to determine if university policy and applicable federal and local law have been followed and, if not, to address the consequences that may have resulted and take appropriate corrective action. Information relevant to the matter may be requested from the involved parties. Upon the completion of the investigation, the Director of Diversity and Employment will provide a response notifying the student or applicant of the findings and recommendations.
A student or applicant who uses the complaint procedure must not be retaliated against for doing so. The student or applicant may choose another student, faculty or staff employee to accompany him or her through the procedure. The other student or employee may help to express the complaint. A student or applicant who finds that a complaint is not resolved to his or her satisfaction may appeal to the Provost or to the Vice President of Human Resources. The finding and response from either of these officers is the final response for the university. Additionally, a student or applicant who believes that she or he has been harassed or discriminated against because of a disability can file a Charge of Discrimination at their regional U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. For example, the Illinois and Wisconsin Regional office is at 111 N. Canal Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60606.