While attending SCC, students sometimes have misunderstandings or experience difficulty with a district or college employee. When students feel they have been treated unfairly and believe that one or more of their student rights have been violated, they can pursue a remedy or solution to the problem through the college's Student Grievance Process. The grievance process is explained in detail in LRCCD Board Policy and Regulations P/R-2412.
The levels and time lines of the Student Grievance Process are as follows:
Informal Grievance,
Level 1-
Student is required to meet with staff member(s) and/or immediate supervisor of the staff member(s) in an attempt to mutually resolve the matter. This discussion must take place within ten (10) days of the alleged incident.
Formal Grievance,
Level 2-
Filing: Within five (5) days of completion of informal procedure and not later than twenty-five (25) days from the date of the alleged incident, student may choose to file a Student Grievance Form.
Where: RN257, Office of the Student Grievance Officer, Julia Jolly, Associate Vice President of Instruction, (916) 558-2386.
Purpose: Student Grievance Officer to determine grievability of the matter.
Time line: Within ten (10) days of filing date, Student Grievance Officer must notify all parties of status of grievability.
(a) If deemed not grievable, the Student Grievance Officer will notify the student, in writing, that the grievance has been rejected and state the reason(s) why.
(b) If deemed grievable, a hearing is scheduled.
Level 3-
Hearing: Formal hearing scheduled within ten (10) days following the appointment of a Hearing Officer.
Decision: Within ten (10) days of receipt of hearing, the Hearing Officer will inform all parties, in writing, of his or her decision.
Level 4-
Filing: Within five (5) days of Level 3 decision, either party may appeal the Hearing Officer's decision.
Where: President, RN277.
Decision: Within ten (10) days of receipt of the appeal documents, the President will inform all parties, in writing, of his or her decision and that decision is final.
Students should be aware that an assigned grade by an instructor is not a grievable matter, except as outlined in Education Code 76224(a), which states:
When grades are given for any course of instruction taught in a community college district, the grade given to each student shall be the grade determined by the instructor of the course, and the determination of the student's grade by the instructor in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence shall be final.
Students should remember that it is important to fully understand and comply with the various time lines. As used in these procedures, "days" shall mean calendar days, provided, however, that days during winter break, spring break, and breaks before and after summer sessions shall not be counted as "days."
Student Grievance Officer: Julia Jolly, Associate Vice President of Instruction, (916) 558-2386, RN257.
The Associate Vice President is prepared to assist students in resolving concerns or problems that may be handled through the college's Student Grievance Process and can answer questions students have about any aspect of the process. The Student Grievance Form and LRCCD Board Policy and Regulations P/R-2412 are available through this office.
A copy of the policy and regulations can also be obtained from Dean of Enrollment and Student Services (RN111), Vice President of Student Services (RN272), and Instructional Services (RN257), as well as all Division Dean offices.
The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office has provided this disclosure in compliance with the requirement of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, as regulated in CFR 34, Sections 600.9 (b) (3) and 688.43(b). Effective July 1, 2011, eligible institutions must have and disclose a state administered complaint process. The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office complaint process and form are available at http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/ComplaintsForm.aspx.