Claims of harassment or discrimination are: (1) claims of violation of the University’s non-discrimination policy, and (2) claims of violation of the University policy in opposition to harassment.

Ordinarily, grievances, if they occur, are best dealt with informally and are ideally resolved quickly. Any student who feels that s/he has been unlawfully harassed or discriminated against should, if s/he feels comfortable, attempt to resolve the situation through a discussion with the other party. If that is not possible, the student should consult with the Dean of Students or his/her designee. The purpose of this consultation is multi-fold. The Dean of Students or his/her designee will provide information and assistance to help the student resolve the problem independently, will help the student assess whether or not the behavior is harassing or discriminatory, will explain the University’s grievance procedure and provide guidance in the use of the formal grievance procedure.

The student may request the Dean of Students or his/her designee to attempt to resolve the grievance informally. The request for an informal resolution must be made within 75 working days of the occurrence of the incident. If the student requests an informal resolution, the Dean of Students or his/her designee will attempt to provide an informal resolution within 20 working days of the receipt of the student request.

If the student requests a formal resolution, or if the grievance cannot be resolved informally, within the stated time period, the following formal grievance procedure will be used.

A. Where to File a Formal Complaint?

If the person alleged to be responsible for the alleged harassment or discriminatory activity is:

1.) A Faculty Member -- File with the Dean of the appropriate school

2.) An Administrator or Staff Member -- File with the Director of Human Resources

3.) A Student, a Work-study Student or a Graduate Assistant -- File with the Dean of Students

B. What Should Be Filed?

The grievance should be in writing, should summarize the alleged discrimination or harassment, should identify the person allegedly responsible for the discrimination or harassment and should describe the resolution sought.

C. When Should the Formal Grievance Be Filed?

The grievance should be filed within 75 working days of the occurrence of the alleged incident. A filing time of 110 working days from the occurrence of the alleged incident is allowed for claims that were unresolved at the informal level.

D. How Will the Formal Grievance Be Processed?

1.) If the person alleged to be responsible for the discrimination or harassment is a student, the Dean of Students or his/her designee will investigate the allegation.

2.) If the person alleged to be responsible for the discrimination or harassment is a faculty member, the Dean or his/her designee will investigate the allegation.

3.) If the person alleged to be responsible for the discrimination or harassment is an administrator or staff member, the Director of Human Resources or his/her designee will investigate the allegation.

The allegation will be investigated in a fair and expeditious manner. It will be conducted in such a way as to maintain confidentiality to the extent possible under the circumstances. The investigation will include a private interview with the person filing the grievance, the person alleged to have committed the harassment or discrimination and with witnesses, if appropriate. When the investigation is completed, to the extent appropriate, the person filing the complaint and the person alleged to have committed the conduct will be informed of the results of the investigation. A confidential written record of the investigation, including all documentary materials, will be maintained in a private file in the office of the official charged with the investigation. The entire investigation will be completed within 20 working days from the date the written grievance was received by the person responsible for the investigation.

If it is determined that discrimination or harassment has occurred, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Such action may range from a warning, to required counseling, or to termination of employment or expulsion.

E. Appeal

If the student filing the grievance believes that the decision was substantially flawed by procedural error in the investigation or finds new information, not known at the time of the investigation that is sufficient to alter the results of the investigation, s/he may request a review by the President or his/her designee. Likewise if the complaint is brought against a student, if s/he believes that the decision was substantially flawed by procedural error in the investigation or finds new information, not know at the time of the investigation that is sufficient to alter the results of the investigation, s/he may request a review by the President or his/her designee. The request for review by the President or his/her designee must be made within 5 working days of the receipt of the result of the investigation. The President or his/her designee will review the written record and will submit a written decision to both parties within 30 working days of the receipt of the appeal.

F. Note

These procedures have been designed to provide a prompt resolution to a grievance. The steps in the procedures contain time limits which are measured in working days. “Working days” are the days when the administrative offices are regularly open for business. Weekends, holidays, snow days and days when the University is closed for other reasons shall not be counted as “working days.” If the person investigating the complaint determines that additional working days are necessary to complete the investigation, s/he will notify the parties of the anticipated completion date of the investigation.

University Extensions and Work Addresses

The telephone extensions and work addresses for the people with whom a grievance may be filed are: