Student Grievance Procedures
(other than appeals of academic standing or reported grade)

Introduction

BPCC affirms the rights of students to fair and judicial resolution of problems which may accompany conditions of their enrollment. Toward this end, the College maintains informal and open access to instructors and administrators as an avenue by which grievances may be discussed.

Section I: Definitions

1.1

Grievance - Defined as an expression of alleged unfair or inequitable treatment with respect to the application of policy, procedure, or regulation.

1.2

Discrimination Complaint - Written complaint alleging any policy, procedure, or practice that discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

1.3

Student Grievant - Individual enrolled in academic courses part-time, full-time, "credit," or audit who files the grievance.

1.4

Applicant Grievant (under ADA) - Applicant for admission to postsecondary education who submits a complaint alleging discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

1.5

Respondent - Person alleged to be responsible for the violation.

1.6

Day - Working days in which the College is open for business, excluding holidays and week-ends.

1.7

Title VI, Section 504, and ADA Coordinator - Person(s) designated to coordinate efforts to comply with and carry out responsibilities under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other state and federal laws addressing equal educational opportunity:

Title VI, Section 504, and ADA Coordinator
Morris Robinson, Counselor
F-250
6220 East Texas Street
Bossier City, LA 71111
Phone: (318) 678-6005

1.8

Compliance Coordinator - Person responsible for processing complaints who serves as moderator and recorder during hearings:

Compliance Coordinator
Teri Bashara, Director of Human Resources
Human Resources, A-105
6220 East Texas Street
Bossier City, LA 71111
Phone: (318) 678-6040

1.9

Chancellor's Designee - Person authorized by the Chancellor to hear appeals concerning student grievances listed as follows:

• Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in cases involving members of the faculty.
• Vice Chancellor for Student Services in cases involving students.
• Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration in cases involving professional and support staff members.

Section II: Discrimination Grievances (Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and ADA)

A. Informal Pre-Filing Procedures

Prior to filing a formal complaint, the student is encouraged to make a reasonable effort to resolve the problem informally. The College is committed to making every effort possible to resolve issues in this informal manner. A grievance must be lodged with the proper authority within thirty (30) days from the date of the alleged violation.

2.1

Student requests a resolution and/or corrective action from the Title VI, Section 504, and ADA Coordinator.

Morris Robinson, Counselor
F-241
6220 East Texas
Bossier City, LA 71111
Phone (318) 678-6005

2.2

Student may choose to bypass Bossier Parish Community College grievance procedures and file a complaint with the appropriate office of civil rights.

Office of Civil Rights
701 Loyola Avenue, Suite 600
New Orleans, LA 70113
Phone: (504) 589-2329

B. Formal Filing Procedures

2.1

Student files a written grievance. Grievance Forms are also available from the Vice Chancellor for Student Services and/or the Office of Human Resources.

Vice Chancellor for Student Services Karen Recchia, A-221 6220 East Texas Street Bossier City, LA 71111 Phone (318) 678-6310

Compliance Coordinator, Human Resources Teri Bashara, A-105 6220 East Texas Street Bossier City, LA 71111 Phone (318) 678-6040

2.2

Student grievant submits written grievance to the Compliance Coordinator and/or the Vice Chancellor for Student Services within ten (10) days after the attempt at informal resolution has failed. The grievance must include name, nature, and date of alleged violation; names of persons responsible (where known); and requested action.

2.3

Compliance Coordinator notifies respondent within ten (10) days and asks respondent to:

• Confirm or deny facts;
• Indicate acceptance or rejection of student's or applicant's requested action; and/or
• Outline alternatives.

2.4

Within ten (10) days, respondent submits answer to the Compliance Coordinator.

2.5

Within ten (10) days after receiving respondent's answer, the Compliance Coordinator refers the written complaint and the respondent's answer to the Chancellor's Designee as defined in Section 1.9. The Compliance Coordinator also schedules a hearing with the grievant, the respondent, and the Chancellor's Designee as defined in Section 1.9.

2.6

The Chancellor's Designee (as defined in Section 1.9), Grievant, Respondent meet with the Compliance Coordinator, who conducts the hearing.

2.7

Within ten (days) after the hearing, the Chancellor's Designee (as defined in Section 1.9.) issues a written decision to the student or applicant and to the Compliance Coordinator.

2.8

If the grievant or respondent is not satisfied with the decision, he/she must notify the Compliance Coordinator within ten (10) days and must request a hearing with the Chancellor.

2.9

Within ten (10) days, the Compliance Coordinator schedules a hearing with the grievant, respondent, and the Chancellor.

2.10

The Chancellor issues a decision within ten (10) days following the hearing.

2.11

If the grievant or respondent is not satisfied with the decision, he/she must notify the Compliance Coordinator within ten (10) days and must request a hearing with the Governing Board*.

2.12

Within ten (10) days after receiving the request, the Compliance Coordinator notifies the Governing Board to establish a hearing date. The hearing is to be conducted within thirty (30) days from the date of notification to the Governing Board.

*Board of Supervisors
Louisiana Community & Technical College System
Attn. Human Resources
265 S. Foster Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806-4104
Phone: (225) 922-2800

2.13

The Governing Board or its hearing panel establishes and conducts the hearing.

2.14

After the hearing, the Governing Board issues a final written decision regarding the validity of the grievance and any action to be taken.

Section III: Grievances (other than appeals of academic standing or reported grade and discrimination)

A. Informal Procedures

A grievance must be lodged with the proper authority within thirty (30) days from the date of the alleged violation. No student may appeal to the higher authority until he/she has exhausted all prior appeals.

3.1

Student should try to personally approach the faculty/staff member involved in an attempt to resolve the issue.

3.2

Student must request a review of the issue with the appropriate Division Chair or Department Supervisor under whom the faculty/staff member is employed.

3.3

After reasonable effort to resolve the issue informally, the student grievant may proceed with formal procedures, as indicated below

B. Formal Procedures

Grievance Formsare also available from the Vice Chancellor for Student Services and/or the Office of Human Resources.

3.4

Student submits to the Vice Chancellor, under whom the faculty/staff member is employed, a written grievance within ten (10) days after the attempt at informal resolution has failed. The written grievance must include a copy of the informal grievance information, including grievant's name, nature, and date of alleged violation; names of persons responsible (where known); name, dates, and results of the unsuccessful informal procedures.

3.5

The student grievant may request a formal hearing from the Student Grievance Committee, which is a subcommittee of the Disciplinary Hearing Committee. The Student Grievance Committee will convene within ten (10) days to render a decision

3.6

The decision of the Student Grievance Committee may be appealed to the Chancellor within ten (10) days of the Committee's decision. The Chancellor is the final appeal on campus.

3.7

Procedures and information on appeals to the Governing Board may be addressed to:

Board of Supervisors
Louisiana Community & Technical College System
265 S. Foster Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806-4104
Phone: (225) 922-2800

3.8

The Governing Board will issue a decision regarding the validity of the grievance and any action to be taken.

Section IV: General Provisions

4.1

Grievance records will remain confidential unless permission is given by the parties involved to release such information.

4.2

BPCC will not tolerate any type of discipline or retaliation, direct or indirect, against any person who, in good faith, files a complaint or responds to questions in regard to having witnessed a prohibited incident.

4.3

False charges are treated as serious offenses and may result in disciplinary action.