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 his/her 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. (Policy 5.3.6)
A grievance is any matter of student concern or dissatisfaction with the College’s control except:
- student discipline matters regarding academic and non-academic violations (Policy 5.3.2 – Student Conduct);
- discrimination and unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence (Policy 5.3.4 – Discrimination and Unlawful Harassment);
- a grade appeal (Policy 5.2.5 – Grade Appeal); or
- any other matter that has a specific grievance process outlined in that policy or procedure.
Internal Grievance Process
Step One - Informal Grievance
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 member 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, he/she 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, an issue with college policy), the student can skip the informal process and proceed to Step Two.
Step Two - Formal Grievance
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 for dean of student services. The written grievance must contain, with specificity, the facts supporting the grievance and the attempt, if applicable, to resolve the grievance at the information level.
The dean of student services (or, depending on the nature of the grievance, associate 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 dean of student services shall provide his/her 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 dean of student services, he/she may proceed to Step Three within five (5) business days after receipt of the dean of student services written determination. Not proceeding to Step Three within the time period will result in the grievance not being heard and the matter being closed.
Step Three - Appeal
If the student is not satisfied with the dean of student services determination, the student may appeal to the executive vice 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 executive vice 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 executive vice president may, at his/her 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 executive vice president shall provide a written decision to the student. The executive vice president’s decision is final.
External Grievance Process
North Carolina Community College System
The College is a member of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). If a student is dissatisfied with the result of a grievance within the College, the student may file a grievance with the NCCCS. The student must exhaust the college’s internal grievance process prior to filing a grievance with the NCCCS. The contact information for the NCCCS is:
North Carolina Community College System
200 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
Telephone: 919-807-7100
Website: https://studentcomplaints.northcarolina.edu/form
Accreditation Body
If a student is dissatisfied with the result of a grievance within the college, the student may file a grievance with the college’s accrediting body. The student must exhaust the college’s internal grievance process prior to filing a grievance with the accrediting body. The College is accredited by a regional accrediting body. The accrediting body changes each accrediting cycle. For contact information for the accrediting body, please contact the executive vice president.