Student Complaint Resolution Procedures

The goal of the informal process is to establish communication between the student and the appropriate staff member for the purpose of providing a forum in which the student’s questions or concerns can be addressed. 
 

The student must meet with the appropriate staff member and discuss his/her concerns. If resolution cannot be reached by meeting with the appropriate staff member or when contact with that individual would be unduly distressful or embarrassing, the student may discuss alternatives with the staff member’s immediate supervisor. Students can receive assistance in locating the appropriate supervisor by contacting Dean of Student Success or the office of the Vice President of Instruction.

If the attempt to resolve the situation informally is not successful, the student may file a formal written complaint.

Clatsop Community College’s Formal Complaint Form is available in Student Services, the Human Resources Office, Dora Badollet Library, South County Campus and MERTS. Forms should be returned to the Dean of Student Success.

The Dean of Student Success will be responsible for ensuring that the complaint is forwarded to the Student Issues Committee or the appropriate supervisor. If the complaint is regarding the Dean of Student Success, the student’s Formal Complaint Form should be submitted to the President’s Office.

Students shall not be retaliated against for filing a complaint. Correspondingly, irresponsible use of the complaint procedure may result in disciplinary action.

In order to facilitate resolution of a complaint, it is important that the complaint be filed in a timely manner. Students must file formal complaints alleging violation of a college policy or procedure or allegations of staff or student misconduct within twenty (20) days of the date that the incident or event occurred. Complaints received after this time period has expired will be processed only if there are extenuating circumstances and the supervisor agrees to extend the timeline. An explanation of the reason for the delay must be attached to the complaint form along with a request for an extension of the time.

A. Outcome of Formal Complaint Procedure:
The Student Issues Committee or appropriate supervisor will conduct an investigation of the student’s complaint. A written response to the student’s formal complaint will be mailed directly to the address that the student listed on the complaint form no later than twenty (20) days from the date the complain form was received in the Dean of Student Success.

B. Appeals:
All decisions of the Student Issues Committee may be appealed to the Vice President of Instruction except in the case of an appeal for sanctions invoked as a result of a violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct. Appeals of sanctions are subject to the guidelines established under the Student Discipline Procedure (6.215P).  The request for an appeal to the Vice President of Instruction must be received, in writing, within ten (10) days of the student receiving the decision of the Committee. The following will be considered grounds for appeal: (A) A procedural error or irregularity which materially affected the decision. (B) New evidence of a substantive nature not previously available at the time of the hearing that would have materially affected the decision. (C) Demonstrated bias on the part of the Committee or supervisor that materially affected the decision. Evidence of bias must be included with the appeal.

Appeals of decisions made by a supervisor should be submitted to the Dean of Student Success. The request for an appeal of the decision of a College supervisor must be received, in writing, within (10) ten days of the student receiving the decision. Appeals of management decisions are subject to the same criteria as those outlined for appeals of decisions made by the Student Issues Committee. The Dean of Student Success will forward the appeal to the appropriate administrator who will determine whether or not the criteria for an appeal has been met.

If the criteria for an appeal is met, a written response from the Vice President of Instruction or the appointed administrator will be mailed to the student no later than fifteen (15) days from the date the petition was received.

The decisions of the Vice President of Instruction or the appointed administrator will be final.

Students with extenuating circumstances affecting grades posted to their transcripts as a result of the college enforcing its policies or procedures should report their concerns to the Registrar’s Office. If the Registrar’s office is unable to make the requested change, the student may submit a Formal Complaint Form to the Dean of Student Success. Complaints regarding grades must be filed no later than the term following the one in which the grade was received, with an exception made for spring term. Spring term grade disputes must be submitted no later than the end of fall term. Complaints filed after these specified time periods have passed will not be processed.

Appeals of the decision of the Director of Accounting Services may be made by submitting a College Formal Complaint Form to the Office of the Dean of Student Success no later than ten (10) days after receiving the decision.

Students who have been disqualified from financial aid should first discuss their situation with the Financial Aid Office. If not satisfied with the outcome of the informal process, a student may complete a Financial Aid Petition for consideration by the Student Issues Committee. Forms can be picked up in the Financial Aid Office and must be completed and submitted to the Financial Aid Office by 5:00 p.m. the first day of classes. Any petitions received after that day would be considered for reinstatement of aid the following term. An appeal of the decision of the Student Issues Committee may be made to the Vice President of Instruction. Students may only petition once to request reinstatement of financial aid after being disqualified.

The procedures for complaints regarding the conduct of another student(s) are outlined in the College’s Student Discipline procedures (6.215P) published in the Student Handbook.

Faculty and staff members are subject to collective bargaining agreements and formal disciplinary rules that cannot be superseded by these procedures. By law, certain procedures must be followed before discipline can be imposed. If the outcome of the informal process is not successful, students may file a formal complaint. Formal complaints may be made by completing the College’s Formal Complaint Form and must be submitted no later than twenty (20) days after the date that the incident or event occurred. Complaints received after this time period has expired will be processed only if there are extenuating circumstances and the supervisor agrees to extend the timeline. An explanation of the reason for the delay must be attached to the complaint form along with a request for an extension of the time.

Formal complaints regarding the misconduct of a faculty or staff member will be forwarded to the appropriate supervisor and shall be subject to resolution procedures as detailed in the College’s Discipline and Dismissal policy and procedures (4.505/4.505P).