Cañada College Student Handbook

STUDENT APPEALS AND GRIEVANCES

Cañada College is committed to the concept that students should be free of unfair and improper actions on the part of any member of the academic community. If at any time a student feels that he or she has been subject to unjust actions or denied his or her rights, redress can be sought through the filing of an appeal or grievance within the framework of policy and procedure set forth below.

The Student Grievance Procedure has been designed to allow for the resolution of alleged violations of students' rights and/or disagreement with decisions of staff or college policies. Specifically, the grievance procedure is to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all students enrolled at Cañada College. Furthermore, it is the policy of Cañada College to comply with Federal regulations (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Act of 1972, Section 504 for the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) designed to provide equitable treatment of all students regardless of race, sex, age or disability.

The Student Grievance Procedure is designed in two stages, the INFORMAL and the FORMAL. Most disputes or misunderstandings can be resolved informally to the advantage of all parties. The Formal procedures are for those infrequent cases where the parties have been unable to reach resolution and require the assistance of an objective process and are serious enough to merit the commitment of time and resources of the individuals involved.

INFORMAL LEVEL

Step 1. Whenever a student feels aggrieved by a faculty member, a manager, or a staff member, the student is encouraged to seek resolution by conferring directly with the person against whom the complaint is directed. The chart below outlines the appropriate College channels to be used by the students seeking redress.

Step 2. If the dispute is not settled in Step 1, the student may make an appointment with the administrative supervisor of the staff member involved. Reasonable time must be allowed for the administrator to mediate the issue. It is the administrator's responsibility to inform the student and the staff member of the process. The student has the option to confer with other individuals who may assist in reaching an informal solution.

FORMAL LEVEL

Step 1. If the dispute is not settled at the informal level, the student may make an appointment to meet with the Vice President of Student Services (or designee) to present the particulars of his/her grievance for adjudication. After carefully reviewing all aspects of the grievance, a written notice of the Vice President's (or designee) decision shall be provided to all parties within ten (10) business days of the scheduled appointment.

Step 2. If the dispute is not settled in Step 1 of the formal procedures, all parties are entitled to appeal the decision to the College President (or designee). The College President (or designee) will review the appeal and respond to all parties within ten (10) business days from the date the appeal was received. The College President (or designee's) decision is final.

TIMELINES

The timelines indicated for each step refer to business days of the San Mateo County Community College District. The designated time period should be regarded to as maximum limits, and every effort should be made to expedite the process. Time limits may be extended by mutual agreement if circumstances indicate the desirability for such an extension. A grievance must be initiated within one year of the occurrence of the incident.

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