The student grievance procedure
is designed to provide a prompt and equitable means for resolving
student grievances
relating to the grading process. The grievance procedure may
be initiated by a student or group of students who reasonably
believe that they have been subject to unjust action or denied
rights that adversely affect their status, rights, or privileges
as a student. To initiate a student grievance, please contact
the Office of College Compliance at (818) 710-2508 or e-mail
at compliance@piercecollege.edu.
GRADING POLICY Although the grievance procedures are established to enable a
student to challenge a particular grade, students are advised of
section 76224 of the California Education Code which provides:
“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 incompetency,
shall be final.”
COMPLAINTS NOT GRIEVABLE
Please also note that the student grievance procedure does not
apply to challenge the process for prerequisites, corequisites,
advisories and limitations on enrollment; alleged violations of
sexual harassment; actions dealing with student discipline; alleged
discrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, religion,
age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability,
or an appeal for residency decision; or to eligibility, disqualification
or reinstatement of financial aid.
INFORMAL RESOLUTION
All parties involved in a potential grievance are encouraged to
seek an informal remedy. The recommended steps for students to follow are:
meeting directly with the faculty
member(s) with whom the student has a problem
meeting with the department chair of the faculty member(s)
meeting with the department’s Dean of Academic Affair
meeting with the College
Ombudsperson Ombudspersons are faculty members appointed
by the Academic Senate to assist
students in obtaining informal resolution of a grievance.
FORMAL RESOLUTION
Students unable to resolve their grievance through the informal
process may file a “Formal Grievance Hearing Request Form” with
the College Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson will provide students
with information about the formal grievance hearing process and
their rights and responsibilities in this process.
RIGHT TO STUDENT ADVOCATE
Students pursuing a formal grievance have
the right to be represented by a Student Advocate who will assist
students in the formal grievance
process.
