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GRIEVANCES

The purpose of this procedure is to provide all students with a systematic policy for the resolution of grievances which may arise with a functioning unit and/or policy of the University. This policy shall not be applicable to those cases covered by the Marshall Code of Conduct, or the Marshall University Policy on Academic Rights and Responsibilities of Students. Procedures for students disciplinary and academic affairs are outlined in the Board of Trustees' Policy Bulletins 57 and 60. It is not the intent of this policy that any functioning unit adopt these procedures as part of their unit appeal process. Those functioning units which have students seeking appeals on a continuing basis must develop their own appeal process.

Good student relations are maintained, effective services to students from all functioning campus units are enhanced, and all affected parties of the Marshall University community are better served when sincere efforts of students, faculty, and staff are exerted toward constructive solutions to problems that may occur. The intent of this procedure is to provide a simple and easily understood process for solving problems at the lowest possible administrative level, as fairly and expeditiously as possible.

Grievance Process

  1. LEVEL I
    1. Student fills out a formal grievance and submits to the Student Legal Aid Progam Advisor in Room 2W23 of the Memorial Student Center (forms are available in said office).
    2. After the Student Legal Aid Program Advisor discusses the complaint with the student, the grievence is presented to the individual named in the complaint in an attempt at resolution. If not resolved, a copy of the grievance will be forwarded to the head of the unit in which the individual named in the complaint is employed. If the head of the unit is party to the complaint, the grievance shall be forwarded to the supervisor of the head of the unit. If a resolution is not possible at this point, the student may proceed to Level II.
  2. LEVEL II
    1. Student requests the Student Legal Aid Program Advisor to present his/her grievance to a Grievance Panel for disposition. Neither the student nor the individual named in the grevience is present at the Panel meeting.
    2. After the Student Legal Aid Program Advisor presents all information submitted by the student and the individual named in the grievance, the Grievance Panel does one of the following:
      1. If the Panel finds in favor of the student, a recommendation for resolution of the grievance shall be forwarded to the head of the unit in which the individual named in the complaint is employed. If the head of the unit is party to the complaint, the recommendation shall be forwarded to the supervisor of the head of the unit.
      2. If the Panel finds that the student did not receive unjust or injurious treatment, the student shall be advised that the Panel supports the decision/action(s) of the individual(s) named in the grievance.
      3. If the Grievance Panel deems it necessary to obtain additional information, the Panel shall request the Student Legal Aid Program Advisor to invite the student and the individual named in the complaint to meet separately or together (at the discretion of the Panel) with the Panel. After said meeting, the Panel shall choose to act upon (a) or (b) listed above.
  3. LEVEL III
    1. The Student Legal Aid Program Advisor shall refer the findings of the Grievance Panel on a Panel Response Form to the head of the unit in which the individual named in the complaint is employed. If the head of the unit is party to the complaint, the findings shall be forwarded to the supervisor of the head of the unit. The head of the unit shall indicate on the Panel Response Form acceptance or rejection of the recommendation of the Panel. The form shall be returned to the Student Legal Aid Program Advisor within five (5) working days after its receipt.
    2. The Student Legal Aid Program Advisor submits the recommendation of the Panel and the decision of the head of the unit to the student.
      1. If the student is dissatisfied with the decision of the Grievance Panel, he/she may file a written appeal to the President of the University with the Student Legal Aid Program Advisor within five (5) working days after receipt of notification.
      2. If the head of the unit rejects the recommendation of the Panel, the student may file a written appeal to the President of the University with the Student Legal Aid Program Advisor within five (5) working days after receipt of notification.
      3. Within ten (10) working days, the President or his/her designee should respond to the appeal. If no response is received by the Student Legal Aid Program Advisor within that time, the recommendation of the Grievance Panel will be deemed accepted.

Definitions -- Definitions to key terms in the above document.

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