Washington Administrative Code › Title 132F - Seattle Colleges › Chapter 132F-121 - Student activities, rights and discipline › Section 132F-121-060 - Student grievances generally

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
			 The purpose of these procedures is to provide guidelines which enable a student
			 to express and resolve misunderstandings, complaints, or grievances in a fair
			 and equitable manner. These procedures are to be used for addressing informal
			 grievances and formal grievances against college employees as far as the
			 collective bargaining agreement under which the employee works allows.
(2) Students have the right to
			 receive clear information and fair application of college policies, standards,
			 rules and requirements and are responsible for complying with them in their
			 relationships with college personnel. The grievance procedure emphasizes an
			 informal resolution which promotes constructive dialogue and understanding.
			 Available to all students and it is intended to protect the rights of both the
			 complainant and the respondent. The formal procedures should be used when
			 informal process does not resolve the issue.
(3) A "grievance" is defined as a good faith
			 allegation based on personal experience or knowledge by a student or students
			 that there has been a violation, misapplication, or misinterpretation of some
			 service or rule as it applies to students in the institution by a staff or
			 faculty member of the institution, resulting in loss or detriment to the
			 complainant. However, an objection to disciplinary action under the student
			 conduct code is only appealable under that code, and cannot constitute a
			 grievance.
(4) The student
			 grievance procedure described is not intended to cover grievances of
			 discrimination or sexual harassment. The college has separate, specific
			 procedures for such grievances.
(5)
			 Each college president shall appoint a grievance officer to handle student
			 grievances. This position shall be filled by an employee whose position is
			 below the level of vice president. The district chancellor shall designate a
			 grievance officer to handle grievances against Siegal Center employees. If the
			 president or chancellor determines, upon request, that the grievance officer
			 has a disqualifying conflict of interest in a particular matter, they may
			 appoint a substitute grievance officer for that matter. Information on the
			 identity and location of the grievance officer(s) and about this procedure
			 shall be readily available within each college.
(6) Each campus will appoint one or more
			 nonstudent employees who will serve as student process advocates. This role
			 will guide the student through the informal and formal process.
(7) No respondent or district employee shall
			 take adverse action or otherwise retaliate against a student because that
			 student initiated a good faith grievance or assisted another student with a
			 grievance.
(8) Federal and state
			 laws, rules and regulations, in addition to policies, regulations and
			 procedures adopted by the state board for community college education or the
			 board of trustees of Seattle Colleges shall not be grievable matters.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				    28B.50.100, [28B.50].130, and/or[28B.50].140
				  . 03-16-015, §
										132F-121-060, filed 7/28/03,
				  effective 8/28/03.