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Student Grievance Procedure

In the College of Education and Human Services, student grievances are initiated either in the academic departments or in the College of Education and Human Services Student Services office, depending on the nature of the complaint.

Any student initiating such a grievance must first speak to the Chair of the appropriate department/unit or, in the case of a grievance involving Student Services or Teacher Education, to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or Teacher Education, respectively.

The academic department Chairs/Directors are responsible for hearing complaints related to such things as grades, course work, academic dishonesty, discrimination by instructors, and admission to and/or retention in the program.

The Associate Dean for Teacher Education and School Partnerships is responsible for hearing complaints related to admission to and/or retention in the Teacher Education Program. The Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs is responsible for hearing complaints concerning academic advisement and graduation.

If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Department Chair or the Associate Dean, he/she contacts the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs who explains the Student Grievance Procedure.

The Dean of the College of Education and Human Services is responsible for making the final decision in grievances. In many cases, the Dean will choose to have a panel chosen by the College Academic Affairs Committee hear the case for the Dean. This is done according to the following procedures:

The student submits the written grievance to the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs within 20 days of the prior decision by the Chair/Director or Associate Dean.

The College Academic Affairs Committee selects a hearing panel composed of at least three faculty members, along with one graduate and one undergraduate student. While members of this panel will usually be members of the Academic Affairs Committee, it may be necessary, in some instances, to select panel members from outside the Committee.

All parties have the right to present evidence on their behalf. Any new evidence introduced in the appeals process must be on file with the chair of the College Academic Affairs Committee one week prior to the student’s scheduled hearing. All new materials will be distributed to both parties involved in the appeals process at that time.

All parties have the right to bring witnesses. The student may bring an advisor who will not be permitted to address the committee directly on appeals from the Chairs. In the following three situations only, the student may have advice and assistance in preparing and presenting the appeal:

• appeals concerning admission to the Teacher Education Program;
  
• appeals concerning retention in the Teacher Education Program; or,
  
• appeals concerning recommendation for certification.

The hearing panel meets within 10 days of the receipt of the student’s appeal, and the student is sent notification of the time and place of the hearing no later than 5 days prior to the hearing.

The hearing panel arrives at a decision on the basis of a simple majority. The recommendation of the panel is relayed in writing to the Dean of the College of Education and Human Services within 3 days of the panel’s decision.

The hearing panel, as described above, is not expected to meet during the first two weeks nor the last two weeks of a semester, nor will it usually meet during vacation periods or summer. During these times, an administrative hearing officer may substitute for the panel, or the Dean may choose to hear the case.

The word “days” means all days when classes are in session.

The Dean of the College of Education and Human Services makes the final decision and notifies the student, in writing, of the decision within five days of the receipt of the panel’s recommendation.

Approved December 13, 1993 | Editorial Revision Approved October 21, 1998