I. Grievance Process Overview
In order to maintain a harmonious and cooperative environment between and among the College and its students, the College provides for the settlement of problems and differences through an orderly grievance procedure. Every student shall have the right to present their problems or grievances free from coercion, restraint, discrimination or reprisal. This Policy provides for prompt and orderly consideration and determination of student problems and grievances by College administrators and ultimately the President.
A grievance is any matter of student concern or dissatisfaction with the College’s control except: (a) student discipline matters regarding academic and non-academic violations (Student Code of Conduct Policy); (b) discrimination and unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence (Discrimination and Unlawful Harassment Policy); (c) a grade appeal (Grade Appeal Policy); or (d) any other matter that has a specific grievance process outlined in that policy or procedure.
II. Internal Grievance Process
1. Informal Grievance - Step One
In the event the alleged grievance lies with an instructor/staff member, the student must first go to that instructor/staff member and attempt to informally resolve the matter. Both the student and instructor/staff members must have an informal conference to discuss the situation and document the attempts taken to resolve the grievance at this level. In the event that the student is unsatisfied with the resolution reached at the informal conference, they may proceed to Step Two within five (5) business days after the informal conference. Not proceeding to Step Two within the time period will result in the grievance not being heard and the matter being closed.
If the grievance concerns issues unrelated to a particular instructor/staff member (for example, and issue with College policy), the student can skip the informal process and proceed to Step Two.
2. Formal Grievance - Step Two
If the grievance is not resolved at Step One (or, given the nature of the grievance, Step Two begins the process) the student may file a written grievance with the Vice President of Student Services (Vice President). The written grievance must contain, with specificity, the facts supporting the grievance and the attempt, if applicable, to resolve the grievance at the informal level.
The Vice President (or, depending on the nature of the grievance, another appropriate Vice President) shall review the written grievance and conduct whatever further investigation, if any, is necessary to determine any additional facts that are needed to resolve the grievance. The Vice President shall provide their written decision within ten (10) business days after receipt of the grievance.
In the event that the student is unsatisfied with the resolution reached by the Vice President, they may proceed to Step Three within five (5) business days after receipt of the Vice President’s written determination. Not proceeding to Step Three within the time period will result in the grievance not being heard and the matter being closed.
3. Appeal - Step Three
If the student is not satisfied with the Vice President’s determination, the student may appeal to the President. The appeal must be in writing, must provide a written summary of the specific facts and must contain any other documentation pertinent to the matter. The President will conduct an “on the record” review and conduct any further investigation that is necessary to ascertain the facts needed to make a determination. The President may, at their discretion, establish a committee to further investigate the matter and make a recommendation to the President.
At the conclusion of the investigation and not later than fifteen (15) business days after receipt of the student’s appeal, the President shall provide a written decision to the student.
The President’s decision is final.
III. External Grievance Process
1. North Carolina Community College System
The College is a member of the North Carolina Community College (NCCC) System. If a student is dissatisfied with the result of a grievance within the College, the student may file a grievance with the NCCC System. The student must exhaust the College’s internal grievance process prior to filing a grievance with the NCCC System. The contact information for the NCCC System Office is:
North Carolina Community College System Office
200 West Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27603
Telephone: 919-807-7100
Website: https://studentcomplaints.northcarolina.edu/form
2. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). If a student is dissatisfied with the result of a grievance within the College, the student may file a grievance with the SACSCOC. The student must exhaust the College’s internal grievance process prior to filing a grievance with the SACSCOC. The contact information for SACSCOC is:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
(SACSCOC)
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
Telephone: 404-679-4500
Website: https://sacscoc.org/
Adopted by the Board of Trustees, June 08, 2015
Amended by the Board of Trustees, November 13, 2023
Amnesty for Alcohol and Drug Use/Abuse
The health and safety of every student and employee at Surry Community College is of utmost importance. To encourage the reporting of alleged incidents of gender-based or sexual misconduct, neither complainants, respondents, nor witnesses or bystanders will face disciplinary actions under the Student Code of Conduct or the Drug and Alcohol Use/Abuse Policies if they personally engage in the unlawful or prohibited use of alcohol and/or drugs during the alleged incident of gender-based or sexual misconduct.
Amnesty only applies to personal use of alcohol and/or drugs and does not extend to other potential violations under the Student Code of Conduct or the Drug and Alcohol Use/Abuse Policies. For example, if the respondent distributes alcohol and/or drugs to the complainant, the respondent may face disciplinary action under the Drug and Alcohol Use/Abuse Policy for the distribution of alcohol and/or drugs to the complainant.
Approved by the Board of Trustees, September 14, 2015
Amended by the Board of Trustees, November 13, 2023
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