NOTE: Complaints under Section 504 and/or Americans with Disabilities Act are made to the Section 504 Coordinator in Office of Student Services. Complaints of sexual harassment and other forms of unlawful discrimination are made to the Director of the Office of Employee Relations and Title IX.

The student is encouraged to pursue academic studies and other College District-sponsored activities that will promote intellectual growth and personal development. In pursuing these ends, the student should be free of unfair and improper action by any member of the academic community. 

1. STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

A grievance may be initiated by a student when he/she/they believes he/she/they has been subject to an unjust action that affects the status, rights, and/or privileges of a student due to a violation of College District policies or procedures, or local, state, or federal law. Such action may be instituted by the student against another student, faculty, administrator or staff member. A grievance must be initiated no later than the end of the term during which the incident occurred or within 30 days if the alleged action took place during the last two weeks of the semester. Where a student believes an injustice has taken place, the student may seek resolution through the following procedures

Grade and grading disputes are addressed within this administrative procedure, unless the student is alleging discrimination, harassment, or related retaliation in grading. Students should refer to the “Student Grade Dispute Procedure – Section 2” found in this procedure.

The procedure does not apply to:

A grievance exists when an error or offense has resulted in an injury or harm that may be corrected through this grievance procedure. As noted, there may be other procedures applicable to various other alleged injuries or harms, and this grievance procedure may not be the sole or exclusive remedy, and it may not be necessary to exhaust this process before presenting allegations to other College District or government agencies.

The Superintendent/President shall appoint the Dean of Student Services or his/her/their designee to assist students in seeking resolution. 

Informal meetings and discussion between persons directly involved in the grievance are essential at the outset of a dispute and should be encouraged at all stages. An equitable solution should be sought to avoid persons involved in the case becoming polarized, which could render a solution more difficult to achieve.

At no time shall any persons directly or indirectly involved in the case use the facts, the information which has been discussed, or the character of the informal discussion for the purpose of strengthening the case for or against persons directly involved in the dispute for any other purpose other than the settlement of the grievance.

The determination of whether the Report of Student Grievance presents sufficient grounds for review shall be based on the following: 

• The grievant must be a student.
• The grievant is personally and directly affected by the alleged grievance.
• The grievance was filed in a timely manner.
• The grievance is not frivolous, clearly without foundation, or filed for the purpose of harassment.

The Report of Student Grievance must include the following:

• A clear and concise statement of the grievance.
• Name(s) of the individuals against who the grievance is being filed.
• Identify the resolution, corrective action or remedy being sought.
• Summary of actions already taken to attempt to resolve the issue.

The Report of Student Grievance must be filed whether or not the student has already initiated efforts at informal resolution, if the student wishes the grievance to become official. 

Preliminary Action Procedure

1. The student who believes an injustice has occurred shall attempt to resolve the grievance by informal consultation with the student, staff, faculty or administrator concerned.
2. If this proves to be less than satisfactory, the student will inform the School/Center Dean or Supervisor of the area, who shall attempt to resolve the grievance by informal consultation with the student, staff, faculty concerned.

Formal Grievance

3. If the student still believes that the issue has not been resolved satisfactorily through the informal resolution process, the student shall submit a completed “Report of Grievance” to the Dean of Student Services, or designee. In cases in which College Police have been involved or in which the situation has become an issue of safety, the preliminary actions need not be adhered to.
4.  During the preliminary meeting with the Dean of Student Services, or designee, he/she/they shall confer with the student for the purpose of reviewing the grievance and attempting to resolve the matter.
5. The Dean of Student Services or designee may also obtain information relating to the grievance from other parties involved..

The Dean of Student Services will notify each party of the following actions being considered:

• Dismissal of the grievance for lack of merit.
• Agreement among parties to work towards an equitable solution.
• Remand of the case to a formal hearing. (Guidelines for Due Process on page 5)
• Charges are filed against the student for misconduct. (Pursuant to College District Procedure No. 5500 AP— Standards of Student Conduct.)

From the date the student is notified of the Dean of Student Services’ decision, any request for a hearing of the Grievance and Order Committee must be received within five (5) working days. Requests for a hearing shall be made in writing and delivered to the Dean of Student Services.

The Dean of Student Services shall arrange a review of the case by formal hearing to consider the disposition. Please see Guidelines for Due Process in this procedure.

Guidelines for Due Process

Procedural due process is the method established to resolve faculty, staff, and student conduct issues in a clear, fair, and orderly manner. These procedures apply to actions which interfere with or exert a harmful effect upon the function of the College District. Due process is intended to achieve an equitable solution that will resolve the issue with due regard for the rights of the accused, the protection of the student body, and the interest of the College District. Any action taken by a student under this due process procedure shall not preclude any further action.

The implementation of procedural due process on campus will consist of the following due process procedures and will take place within a reasonable length of time.

1. PRELIMINARY ACTION PROCEDURE

1. SUBMITTING OF OFFICIAL FORMS
   The Dean of Student Services shall receive any charge of alleged student grievance. Charges may be made by a student against another student, faculty, staff or administrator. The complainant shall file a Report of Student Grievance form with the Dean of Student Services, or designee. 
2. NOTIFICATION OF CHARGES
   Students, faculty, staff or administrators charged with a Student Grievance shall be notified in writing of the grievance which they are accused and provided a brief written statement of the facts supporting the accusation. The student, faculty, staff or administrator is required to schedule an appointment with the Dean of Student Services to discuss such alleged violations. 
   After the second attempt of notification, a student who does not report to the Office of Student Services to address a student grievance report may have an administrative hold placed on his/her/their records, in addition to possibly being dropped from his/her/their classes.
3. PRELIMINARY MEETING
   The meeting with the Dean of Student Services shall consist of the following:
   1. The alleged party is provided a copy of College District Procedure No. 5530 AP —Student Rights and Grievances.
   2. The alleged party will be provided with a brief written statement of the facts supporting alleged student grievance.
   3. The Dean of Student Services informs the student, staff, faculty and/or administrator of the process which will be followed.
4. ADMINISTRATOR ACTIONS
   The Dean of Student Services will obtain information relating to the charge from the student and other persons. The Dean of Student Services will notify each party in writing regarding any of the following actions:
   • Dismiss the grievance for lack of merit.
   • Work towards an equitable solution.
   • Remand the case to a formal hearing. (See Guidelines for Due Process)
   • Charge the student with misconduct. (College District Procedure No. 5500 AP—Standards of Student Conduct)
      
5. APPEAL TO GRIEVANCE AND ORDER COMMITTEE
   Any request for a hearing to the Student Grievance and Order Committee must be received within five (5) working days of the notification of administrator action. Any request for a hearing shall be made in writing and delivered to the Dean of Student Services. The Dean of Student Services will convene the Grievance and Order Committee to conduct the formal hearing within 30 calendar days during the fall and spring semesters. If the fall or spring semester ends before the hearing can be scheduled and held, both parties will be notified of any delay.
   
   After the hearing date has been established and each party has been notified via official College District email address and/or regular and certified U.S. Mail or overnight delivery service, copies of the written case materials will be available for each party to pick up from the Office of Student Services seven (7) working days prior to the hearing.
   
   In addition to copies of the written case materials, the names of the Grievance and Order Hearing Panel members will be provided to each party. Each party involved in the Report of Student Grievance may challenge the participation of any member of the Grievance and Order Hearing Panel for cause. The person must submit their request in writing to the Office of Student Services no later than three (3) working days prior to the hearing. The grounds for cause shall be limited to any personal involvement in the situation or issue, or any other act or statement indicating that person could not act in a neutral manner. After submitting the written request to the Dean of Student Services, the validity of any such challenges shall be determined by the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel. Five (5) panel members shall be the minimum number to conduct a hearing.

2. HEARING PROCEDURE

1. FORMAL HEARING PROCESS
   The Formal Hearing Process is the College District’s administrative due process to resolve student grievances that are not resolved by informal actions. Parties are allowed to present testimony and witnesses to support their positions. All communication and actions taken during this process are confidential during a closed hearing. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and will result in exclusion of the disruptive person(s) from the proceedings. There will a sworn College Police representative present at all hearing regardless of the type of Student Grievance.

2. THE HEARING PANEL
   Each academic year, the Dean of Student Services shall request and receive appointments of at least four members from each constituent group to serve on the Grievance and Order Committee and Hearing Panel pool(s) as necessary.
   
   There shall be a standing Grievance and Order Committee from which the members are appointed to a Grievance and Order Hearing Panel, as needed. The Grievance and Order Hearing Panel shall be comprised of at least one member from each of the following groups, in addition to the chairperson to consist of a minimum of a five member panel. When a Hearing Panel is required to be assembled, the Dean of Student Services will contact the President of each constituent group to appoint a member to a Hearing Panel pool.

   1. Four students (enrolled in 5 or more units) who shall be appointed by the Associated Student Organization (ASO) president and;

   2. Four full-time tenured faculty and shall be appointed by the Academic Senate president and;

   3. Four full-time classified personnel except those designated as management, who shall be appointed by the Classified Union president and;

   4. Four full-time management personnel with the exception of any the Assistant Superintendent/Vice Presidents and Dean of Student Services, appointed by the Southwestern Community College District Administrators Association (SCCDAA) president.

3. SCOPE OF THE STUDENT GRIEVANCE AND ORDER HEARING
   The Grievance and Order Hearing Panel shall limit the scope of its appeal hearing to the following:

   1. Determine if the evidence supports the findings of the Dean of Student Services.

   2. Determine if the action levied by the Dean of Student Services is within range of student grievance actions delineated in College District Procedure No. 5530 AP - Student Rights and Grievances.

   3. Make recommendations to the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Student Affairs designee.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHAIRPERSON
   The Academic Senate President shall appoint one faculty member from the Hearing Panel pool to serve as the Chairperson. The Chairperson shall preside over the hearing and make rulings as to its conduct. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and will result in exclusion of the disruptive person(s) from the proceedings.  The decision of the Hearing Panel chairperson shall be final on all matters relating to the conduct of the hearing unless there is a vote by a majority of the other members of the panel to the contrary.

5. RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION
   This is an internal due process hearing conducted by Southwestern Community College District. Parties can present testimony and witnesses to support their positions. Each party may bring one other non-contributing person to the hearing for the purpose of moral support. The support person may not represent or provide testimony. Parties are not allowed to be represented by legal counsel at any time during the hearing process.

6. FORMAL HEARING ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS

   1. Opening
      The Chairperson shall call the hearing to order, introduce the participants, explain the hearing is being recorded and proceedings are confidential, and announce the purpose of the hearing, e.g., “The Committee meets to hear an appeal of grievance against (person’s name) and/or to submit its findings to the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Student Affairs.

   2. Evidence for Hearing
      Formal rules of evidence shall not apply. All relevant evidence shall be admitted and will be entered for the record. Irrelevant and unduly repetitious evidence shall be excluded.

   3. Identification of Witnesses
      Witnesses are to identify themselves and state for the record, the reason for their presence. During a closed hearing, witnesses will be allowed to attend the hearing only during the time they provide testimony.

   4. Swearing in of Both Parties
      All testimony shall be taken under oath; the oath shall be administered by the administrative support staff member.
      
       

   5. Opening Statements
      Both parties will make opening statements. Person who filed charges will make first opening statement. Each party will be given five minutes.

   6. Questioning Protocol
      Grievance and Order Hearing Panel members may ask questions of both parties.
      
      Parties may submit questions to the chairperson. The Chairperson will pose questions to appropriate party. Rebuttal two minutes each.  Either party may recall a witness who again may be questioned by the Hearing Panel.  The chairperson has the right to exclude questions that are duplicative or harassing in nature.

   7. Calling Witnesses
      Witnesses are sworn in by the Administrative Secretary. Witnesses are questioned by committee members. Parties may submit questions to Grievance and Order Hearing chairperson. The chairperson has the right to exclude questions that are duplicative or harassing in nature.

   8. Calling for Caucus
      A brief caucus may be called by the Chairperson or any member, with all other person’s excused except for the Grievance and Order Hearing Panel.

   9. Closing Statements
      Both parties will make closing statements. Person who filed charges will make first closing statement. Each party will be given five minutes.

7. BURDEN OF PROOF AND OF PRODUCING EVIDENCE
   The person seeking appeal has the burden of proving that the evidence filed in the Report of Student Grievance did not support the Dean of Student Services’ findings. The student filing the grievance may present evidence in support of his/her/their position, and then the other person may present evidence to refute such evidence.

8. ARGUMENTS
   Arguments will be presented first by the student filing the Report of Student Grievance. The student shall be afforded an opportunity to make or waive an opening statement. After the opening statements, the student filing the Report of Student Grievance shall have the first opportunity to present witnesses and other relevant evidence. Then the other person shall have the opportunity to present witnesses and other relevant evidence.

9. CLOSED HEARINGS
   Hearings shall be confidential and closed to the general public, unless both parties agree that the hearing be open and waive their rights to confidentiality. Any such request must be made in writing no less than five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing.

10. RECORDING
    
    The Hearing Panel proceedings shall be recorded by the District by voice recording. The official recording shall be the only recording made. No witness who refuses to be recorded may be permitted to give testimony. The voice recording shall remain in the custody of the District at all times, unless released to a professional transcribing service. The parties may request a copy of the voice recording.The recording may be used by the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Student Affairs or the Superintendent/ President, in case of an appeal.
     

11. ABSENCE OF THE COMPLAINANT AND/OR THE DEFENDANT
    It is imperative that all parties be present during the hearing process. Disruptive behavior will result in removal of the person(s), and the hearing will continue in their absence. If the student(s) and/or the College District employee(s) who are involved in the Report of Student Grievance do not appear, or leaves the hearing before its conclusion, the hearing shall proceed without the absent parties, and the Hearing Panel shall reach a decision based on the evidence presented.

12. CONCLUSION
    The opportunity to make or waive a closing argument will be made first by the student filing the Report of Student Grievance. The Hearing Panel shall recess to deliberate in closed session with all of the members. The Dean of Student Services and if appropriate the appointed college legal counsel, may be present to advise. The Hearing Panel shall reach its decision based upon the record of the hearing and shall not consider matters outside of that record.
    
    Within five (5) working days of the hearing, the Chairperson shall deliver to the AssistantSuperintendent/Vice President for Student Affairs, or designee, a written decision arrived by majority vote of the Hearing Panel. The faculty Chairperson will vote in case of tie.
    
    The Hearing Panel’s decision shall include specific factual findings regarding the Grievance and shall include specific conclusions regarding whether the hearing established a Grievance as defined above.  The decision shall also include a specific recommendation regarding the relief for the Grievant, if any. 

13. FINAL ACTION
    Upon receiving the findings and recommendations of the Hearing Panel, the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Student Affairs, or designee shall render a decision within five (5) working days and transmit in writing to the parties, Grievance and Order Hearing Panel members and other appropriate administrative officers.
    
    The Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Student Affairs may do the following:

    • Concur with the Hearing Panel findings and recommendations.

    • Revise the recommendation and/or actions of the Hearing Panel.

3. APPEAL TO THE SUPERINTENDENT/PRESIDENT

Upon notification of the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Student Affairs' decision, any request for an appeal to the Superintendent/President must be received within five (5) working days. Any appeal shall be made in writing and delivered to the Superintendent/President.

The Superintendent/President may do the following:

• Concur with the findings and recommendations of the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Student Affairs.
• Revise the recommendation and/or actions of the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Student Affairs.

The notice rendering the Superintendent/President’s decision shall be sent to all parties to the College District email address and/or mailed via regular and certified U.S. Mail or overnight delivery service.

The Superintendent/President’s action shall be final and binding on all parties.

2. STUDENT GRADE DISPUTE PROCEDURES

If a student feels that an instructor has issued a grade based on capricious action in the evaluation of the student’s academic performance, the student must be able to substantiate the claim by showing evidence of a mistake, fraud, bad faith, and/or incompetence. If a student feels that an instructor has issued a grade based on unlawful discrimination, harassment, or related retaliation, the complaint is not covered by this procedure. The student should file with the Director of the Office of Employee Relations and Title IX under College District Procedure No. 3430 AP - Prohibition of Harassment and Discrimination.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

1. GRIEVANT – A student who has filed a Grievance.
2. PARTY - The student or any persons claimed to have been responsible for the student's alleged Grievance, together with their representatives. 
3. ADMINISTRATOR - The Dean of Student Services or Designee.
4. SUPERINTENDENT/PRESIDENT - The Superintendent/President of the District or Designee.
5. STUDENT - A currently enrolled student, a person who has filed an application for admission to the college, or a former student.  A Grievance by an applicant shall be limited to a complaint regarding denial of admission.  Former students shall be limited to Grievances relating to course grades to the extent permitted by Education Code Section 76224 subdivision (a).
6. RESPONDENT– Any person the Grievant claims to be responsible for the alleged Grievance.
7. COLLEGE POLICE - Southwestern College District College Police Department.
8. DAY - Unless otherwise provided, day shall mean a day during which the college is in session and regular classes are held, excluding Saturdays and Sundays When the college is in regular session and regular classes are held.
9. REPORT OF STUDENT GRIEVANCE
   Complainant - Student filing a Report of Student Grievance.
    Defendant - Staff, faculty and/or administrator being charged
10. COLLEGE / COLLEGE DISTRICT- Southwestern Community College District.
11. INFORMAL RESOLUTION – Each student who has a Grievance shall make a reasonable effort to resolve the matter on an informal basis prior to requesting a Grievance hearing, and shall attempt to solve the problem with the person with whom the student has the Grievance, that person's immediate supervisor, or the local college administration.
12. NOTICE – Delivery of written notice shall be emailed to College District email account. Secondary notices may be delivered by United States (US) mail. Three business days are allowed for US mail delivery.

(BP & AP 5530 - Student Rights and Grievances and Education Code Section 76224(a); Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972; Title 5 Section 51023.7; ACCJC Accreditation Eligibility Requirement 20; ACCJC Accreditation Standard IV.D)