Student Grievance Procedure

Students may file a grievance in the event of alleged breach of students rights as detailed in Los Rios Community College District Board of Trustees policies and regulations. A grievance may be filed if the student feels discrimination has occurred based upon race, color, national origin, sex, sexual preference, age or handicap.

Steps to Filing a Grievance:

Students must make a reasonable, good faith attempt within TEN (10) days to discuss the problem with the staff member involved or with his/her immediate supervisor. Failure to do so within the prescribed period of time will constitute a waiver of any right to pursue the matter further.
If the complaint is not resolved within TEN (10) days by the immediate supervisor and the staff member involved, the student may then file a formal grievance, within FIVE (5) days of completing the informal procedure, and not later than 25 days from the date of the alleged wrongful act.
The student must submit a Grievance Form to the Vice President for Student Services. The grievance must contain a specific statement of the alleged act of wrong-doing, the name of the person against whom the grievance is filed, the names of any witnesses, and the nature of the relief sought by the grievant (not to include the imposition of disciplinary action on an employee). Failure to file the completed grievance form within the above-specified time period shall constitute a waiver of any right to further proceedings.
Within TEN (10) days of the receipt of the grievance, the Vice President for Student Services will determine whether the issue is grievable under the policies and regulations of the Los Rios Community College District, at which time, if the issue is grievable, a hearing will be scheduled. The Vice President will notify the student in writing that the grievance has been rejected and state the specific reason(s) for the rejection, or that the grievance was referred to the designated hearing officer. At this time, the person(s) against whom the grievance is filed shall be notified of the status of the grievance, and shall be given a copy of the formal grievance.
Within TEN (10) days from appointment, the Hearing Officer will schedule a hearing on the grievance. All parties shall be notified by the Hearing Officer of the time and day of the hearing. If the designated time and day are not convenient for the parties, a mutually agreeable time may be set.
The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines set forth in board policy.
The Hearing Officer shall deliver a written decision within TEN (10) days of the conclusion of the hearing to all parties to the grievance, with copies to the Vice President for Student Services, the college President and the Vice Chancellor, Student Services.
Either party to the grievance may appeal the Hearing Officer's decision to the Vice President for Student Services within FIVE (5) days. Such appeal must be submitted in writing and state specifically the grounds for appeal.
Within TEN (10) days after receiving the appeal documents, the Vice President for Student Services will inform all parties to the grievance and the appropriate personnel in the District Office, in writing, of the decision. The decision of the Vice President for Student Services will be final.

For more detailed information, see Board Policies and Regulations 2412. Any questions regarding student conduct, rights and responsibilities, due process, and grievance procedures may be directed to the Vice President for Student Services.