Northland Pioneer College -- Catalog 05-06 -- Student Conduct and Academics

Grievance and Appeals

(Two sections: Student Grievance,

Student Appeal of Grades)

Student Grievance

Procedure 2605

This procedure applies to all student grievances unless otherwise made inapplicable or modified by any other procedure such as, in the former case, Procedure #2666, Student Appeal of Grades, and in the latter case, Procedure #2627, Hazing.

A student who believes they have been aggrieved by college actions has the opportunity for appeal. These concerns should be resolved in a manner that is fair to all parties involved. The student's right to grievance shall be forfeited if the complaint is not addressed within the specified time frames.

Article I: Definitions

The following are definitions of terms or phrases contained within this document:

1. Days - Working days exclusive of official holidays as identified in the college catalog; all timelines may be extended by mutual agreement of involved parties.
2. Complaint - Student complaint.
3. Hearing Committee - A college committee charged with the responsibility to advise the college president on grievances involving non-academic standards.
4. Dean of Student Services - College administrator designated by the president for oversight and administration of non-academic grievances within the Student Grievance Procedure.
5. Vice President of Instructional Services - College administrator designated by the President for oversight and administration of academic grievances within the Student Grievance Procedure.
6. Non-Academic Standards - All institutional actions exclusive of academic standards.
7. Academic Standards - All institutional actions related to academic and instructional activities.

Article II: Administration of Student Grievance Procedure

When a complaint arises, the following procedures will be followed.

1. The student has ten working days from an alleged incident to meet with the college personnel involved to informally resolve the complaint. During this meeting, both parties will attempt to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution.
If the student believes this meeting did not resolve the complaint, step 2 may be initiated within ten working days of step 1.
2. A written statement of grievance may be filed with the appropriate supervisor accompanied by supporting evidence. Within five working days of receiving the grievance, the supervisor will meet with the student and employee to attempt to resolve the complaint.
Within five working days, the supervisor will respond to the student in writing, giving reason for the decision reached.
If the student believes this meeting did not resolve the complaint, step 3 may be initiated within ten working days of receiving the written response.
3. The written grievance may be submitted to the appropriate administrator. If the grievance is non-academic in nature, the Dean of Student Services or designee is the appropriate administrator. If the grievance is academic in nature, the Vice President for Instructional Services or designee is the appropriate administrator. A meeting will be scheduled with all parties involved, and the appropriate administrator will supply a written response within five (5) working days of the meeting. This decision will include the reason(s) for the response.
If the student believes the meeting did not resolve the complaint, step 4 may be initiated within ten (10) working days of receiving the written response.
4. A written grievance may be submitted to the president. The president may appoint an institutional committee consisting of one administrator, one faculty member, and one classified staff member to hear the grievance. The committee will forward their findings to the president for consideration within five working days following the meeting. The president will then have the option of forwarding the committee's findings to the student within five working days. Should the president not elect to form an institutional committee, the president will schedule a meeting of all parties involved. Within five working days following the meeting, a written decision will be provided to the student. The decision of the president is final.

[Based on Policy #1430; Rev 6/8/95, 11/01, 6/11/04]

Student Appeal of Grades

Procedure 2666

A student who believes that an unfair grade has been awarded may appeal the grade by sequentially following the steps described below. Any appeal must be initiated no later than five weeks from the start of the semester immediately following the awarding of a grade. (A summer session does not constitute a "semester.")

A grade may be changed without an instructor's consent, but only if evidence demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that the grade awarded represents a significant injustice to the student, and only by following these procedures. If the student receives a satisfactory decision at any stage in the process, the Office of Records and Registration will be directed to modify the student's transcript accordingly.

Step I:

The student will request a meeting with the instructor, giving notice that the appeal process is initiated. If a mutually satisfactory understanding is reached, the process is concluded. If not, the student may proceed to Step II.

Step II:

The student may consult with an advisor regarding the appeal. The advisor will attempt to mediate between the student and instructor. If a mutually satisfactory understanding is reached, the appeal process is concluded. If not, the student may proceed to Step III.

Step III:

The student may appeal to the dean/director of the appropriate division within five working days of completing Step II. The dean/director will request a written statement from the student prior to the conference indicating the basis for the appeal.

The dean/director will then assume a mediating role, convening a conference with the student, instructor, and anyone else believed capable of assisting in reaching a resolution. The conference must occur within ten working days. The dean/director will provide a written response to the student, instructor, and Vice President for Learning within ten working days following the conference.

In the event a division director is the instructor of issue in the appeal, the Vice President for Learning will appoint another director to mediate.

If either party is not satisfied with the recommendation, the process may proceed to Step IV.

Step IV:

A written appeal is made to the Vice President for Learning within five working days of receiving the response written in Step III. The Vice President will then conduct an inquiry involving all parties within ten working days. A decision will be rendered based on the inquiry and reported in writing to both parties within fifteen days of receiving the appeal.

If either party is not satisfied with the recommendation, the process may proceed to Step V.

Step V:

An appeal can be made within five working days of receiving the response written in Step IV. It must state the specific grounds for the appeal, referencing and attaching all responses prompted by the preceding steps.

The president will conduct an inquiry involving all parties. The president may then elect to hear the appeal, or make a decision based on evidence gathered from the inquiry. Whichever option the President chooses, the decision is final and binding.

Both parties will be notified in writing within twenty-five working days of receiving the appeal.

Note: If an instructor is on leave at any juncture of the five-step period, the process may be delayed until he/she returns.

[Based on Policy #1435; Rev 4/22/96]

NPC Online Catalog 2005-2006

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