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Student Complaints The Seattle Central College District has developed policies and procedures that are generally set forth in Title 132F of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), chapter WAC 132F-121(060-090), to be used for the processing and disposition of complaints about campus employees. These procedures are available to all students and are designed to respect the rights of both the complainant and the respondent. Students are carefully protected from retaliation. The designated student complaints officer, Lexie Evans, is available to meet with students to discuss issues, devise problem solving strategies, and, if necessary, guide and assist them through the formal complaint process. The person with whom you are having the problem is always the best place to start to solve the problem! If you are uncertain how to approach the subject, any of the following people can assist you: Problem solving resources
The purpose of the informal complaint process is to encourage a student who has a complaint to speak directly with the college employee most responsible for the condition or situation that is the cause of the complaint, and hopefully solve the problem with dialogue. Most problems are resolved at this stage with calm objective conversation and good will. If this conversation does not bring about a satisfactory response, or if it is inappropriate for the student to speak with the employee, the student should speak with the employee's supervisor. The SCCC Student Complaints Officer, who is also the Dean of Student Life and Engagement, can assist in identifying the appropriate supervisor and advise and support students in the presentation of their informal complaint. Formal complaints The purpose of filing a formal complaint is to allow both parties due process in resolving an issue that has not been settled informally. The Dean of Student Life and Engagement serves as the student complaints officer for SCCC and will assist and advise the student through the formal process. The steps in the formal complaints process will vary somewhat based on the type of problem and the complaints officer will guide the student through all the appropriate steps. Writing the formal complaint letter Formal complaints must be addressed, in writing, to the campus complaints officer. It is advisable, although not required, to meet with the complaints officer to discuss the matter prior to writing your letter. It is important that your written complaint be clear and well organized, and explains the situation in detail. Well written, readable complaints are more likely to result in a successful resolution than complaints that are messy, confused, and illogical or filed in a hasty disorganized manner. The complaints officer will send a copy of your complaint letter to the person named in the complaint and to the head of the department or division. The person about whom you are complaining is normally required to respond in writing about your complaint to the complaints officer within 10 instructional days of receiving the letter. Meeting together to reach a solution If the written response does not resolve the complaint, the Dean of Student Life and Engagement can call the parties together for a conference where the two parties can talk face to face in an atmosphere of fairness and cooperative problem solving. This meeting will include the student, the respondent, the respondent's supervisor or unit administrator, and the complaints officer. The student may bring an advocate. Appeals process If the complaint is not resolved at the conference level, the student may request a meeting with the appropriate administrator (Vice President of Instruction for complaints about grades, or Chief Student Services officer for non instructional complaints). A written decision must be rendered within 10 instructional days of receiving the written record from the complaints officer. The complaint must include details of all actions taken, grades/scores received, and the outcome or resolution you want in response to your complaint. Submit the formal complaint to the Dean of Student Life and Engagement. Keep the remainder of this packet for your own information and review it carefully. If you have questions about the process, please contact the Dean of Student Life and Engagement at 587-3840. |