ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½

Every student can expect fair and reasonable treatment by other members of the university ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. Unless a more specific grievance, investigation, or appeal process applies, students who believe they have been aggrieved according to the specifications of a campus student policy should utilize the following process to resolve their grievance.

Students should first address grievances directly with the individual involved. If a student is not comfortable directly addressing the matter with the individual involved, they may seek guidance from the Dean of Students office, the department head or academic dean's office.

If the matter remains unresolved, the student should proceed to the next step in the grievance process (see Grievance Process Flow Chart below). They should continue through the process until either the issue is satisfactorily resolved or until the student reaches the end of the grievance process.

If you have a grievance against:

• A faculty member, contact the Department Head, then if unresolved, contact the Academic Dean, if unresolved, contact the Student Grievance and Conduct Committee.
• Another student, contact the Dean of Students, then if unresolved, contact the Student Grievance and Conduct Committee.
• A staff member or an administrator, contacts the Administrative Department Head; if unresolved, contact the Dean of Students; if unresolved, contact the Student Grievance and Conduct Committee.

The purpose of the grievance process is to ensure the academic and non-academic rights of students by hearing any case in which a student believes they have been aggrieved according to the specifications of any campus student policy, unless a more specific grievance, appeal, or review procedure has been established for a matter. If a grievance reaches the Student Grievance & Conduct Committee, the committee will consider only whether the challenged action or decision by a member of the faculty, administration, student body, or any agency of these groups was unfair (arbitrary) or capricious. This means, was the challenged action or decision made randomly or from personal preference instead of following a university policy or process.

A student must complete a to have their grievance heard by the committee. Students must petition the Student Grievance and Conduct Committee based on one or more of the Grounds for Grievance in the Petition.

Grounds for Grievance Petition (i.e. types of arbitrary and capricious decisions)

1. The decision was made contrary to existing University policy. A university policy exists that directly contradicts the decision made or action taken by a faculty, staff, or administrator.

2. There is evidence of substantial violation of the appropriate university policy or procedure. The appropriate university policy or process and procedures were not followed when the faculty, staff, or administrator(s) made a decision and/or took action.
3. The decision is unsupported by the evidence or is otherwise arbitrary or capricious.

A three-person hearing panel comprised of members of the Student Grievance and Conduct Committee will be established. The hearing panel will include one faculty member, one staff member, and one student. Members of the hearing panel will review the Student Grievance & Conduct Committee Petition Form submitted by the student and documents submitted at earlier stages in the grievance process. The hearing panel and the chair will meet to decide whether the grievance requires a hearing to decide the grievance. If the hearing panel decides a hearing is necessary, the chair of the Student Grievance and Conduct Committee will serve in an ex-officio role to facilitate the hearing and ensure all parties involved are given a fair and impartial hearing. The chair may take part in the questioning and discussion. All voting members plus the chair must be present to hear the case after a panel has been selected. After the hearing, or after the hearing panel decides a hearing is not necessary, the panel will issue a written recommendation and the reasons underlying that recommendation to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (in cases of academic grievances), or to the Vice President for Student Affairs (for non-academic grievances), who will make a final determination in consultation with the Executive Vice President and Provost.

**It is important to remember the Student Grievance and Conduct Committee will only consider whether an action or decision by a faculty, staff, or administrator was arbitrary or capricious, meaning, the action or decision was made randomly or from personal preference instead of following a university policy or process. A standard of preponderance of the evidence will be used to evaluate each ground for grievance petition selected by the student.

The decision of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs or Vice President for Student Affairs will be final and binding on all parties concerned.

Any student who feels aggrieved may consult with the Dean of Students concerning the grievance process and the procedures. All persons involved in the process will attempt to resolve the grievance before any formal Student Grievance and Conduct Committee hearings.