Policies & Procedures

Student Complaint Policy 

In the event a dispute arises between a student and a college employee, students have a right to initiate the Student Complaint Policy and Procedures.  Prior to initiating a formal complaint, the college expects that a student has:

  • Met with the college staff or faculty member to address the concern and to seek a resolution to the dispute.
  • If the student does not receive a satisifactory resolution after directly engaging the staff or faculty member, the student should try to meet with the staff or faculty member’s supervisor.

Pursuant to MnSCU Board Policy 3.8; after trying to resolve the dispute with the staff or faculty member and/or their supervisor; if the student feels compelled to initiate a formal complaint, they must do so through the following steps:

      • The student must complete a Student Complaint Form and file the completed form with the Office of Human Resources.
      • Within ten (10) business days of receiving a completed complaint form, the Office of Human Resources will refer the written complaint to the student conduct investigator for investigation of the charges. If the complaint should involve issues of harassment or discrimination it will be forwarded to the Regional Investigator.
      • If the complaint appears unwarranted, the investigator may discontinue proceedings.
      • If there is sufficient evidence to support the allegation, the student conduct investigator shall offer the student an opportunity to resolve the alleged violation at an informal meeting with the staff/faculty member and the staff/faculty member’s supervisor. 
      • Within five (5) business days of the meeting, the student conduct investigator shall inform the student in writing of his/her decision whether a violation of a conduct code or other college policies was established by a preponderance of evidence. The student’s right to appeal  pursuant to MnSCU Board Policy 3.8.1 to the Executive Vice President or designee, and as described under the Student Code of Conduct "Section VI: Procedures" described under "Section VI: Procedures"  or
      • If the student fails to appear for the informal hearing, the conduct investigator may proceed to review and act upon the complaint in his/her absence and shall notify the student in writing of an action taken. 

Appeals
Following the outcome of a decision, a student may request an appeal review before the Executive Vice President or designee. The request for an appeal must be submitted, in writing to the Executive Vice President within ten (10) business days of the date of notification of the decision. Failure to file an appeal or request an extension in a timely manner constitutes a waiver of the right to an appeal. The basis for an appeal will be limited to the following grounds:

  • The sanction is excessively severe.
  • New or newly discovered evidence of a nature that may substantially affect the outcome of the hearing exists.
  • There was a procedural error that substantially affects the outcome of the hearing.

The Executive Vice President will review the appeal letter and will determine if one or more of the grounds for appeal has merit. If a determination is made that the appeal has merit, the Executive Vice President will schedule a meeting with the student and staff or faculty member.  A student’s advisor or advocate may attend this meeting but may not participate except to advise the student.  The Executive Vice President will render a decision to the student in writing within ten (10) business days of the appeal hearing. Unresolved appeals that have followed this process will be referred to the college president’s office for final review. The president shall issue a decision in writing to the student within ten (10) days of the appeal.