Initiation of a Grievance

Prior to submitting a grievance, the student(s) should discuss the matter with the associate whose decision they are grieving and make every attempt to resolve the matter informally if possible.

A grievance must be initiated no later than five (5) business days from the time the student knows or should have known of the issue that is the subject of the grievance. Students are encouraged to contact the Coordinator for Student Engagement if assistance is needed in understanding this policy.

A grievance may be based on one of the following claims:
• arbitrary actions by a staff member or administrative office.
• prejudicial, discriminatory, or harassing treatment of a student by a staff or faculty member or the administrative office including such conduct based on race/ethnicity, religion, age, marital status, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, military veteran status, disability or other legally protected status.
• an administrative error in the application of a policy, procedure, or applicable law by a staff or faculty member or administrative office.
• extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances are defined as debilitating health problems (mental or physical), a family emergency (such as the death of an immediate family member), and unexpected financial difficulties (such as a partner/spouse losing their job) that have significant detrimental impact to a student during the semester.

Procedures:
A non-academic grievance occurs in the following order:
Level I
Submission of Student Grievance Form to the Office of Student and Alumni Affairs (OSAA)
Level II
Submission of Student Grievance Level II Appeal Form to the Dean of Student Affairs

Forms can be found on the College website under Quick Links.

Level I
1. Within five (5) business days of the occurrence, the student must initiate the grievance process. Students pursuing a grievance must follow the process as defined in this policy, including submission of the Student Grievance Form found on the College website. The form must be completed in full in order for a grievance to be considered. Not following the process, including established deadlines, may result in the grievance not being considered.

2. Upon receiving the Student Grievance Form, the Director of Student and Alumni Affairs (“Director” or designee) has a maximum of ten (10) business days to schedule a meeting with the student. Within this time, the Director will fully investigate the grievance. This investigation may include review of material submitted by all parties. The Director may consult with appropriate institutional leadership as needed. A designee may be appointed to fill the role of the Director as needed.

3. Within five (5) business days after the meeting, the Director will provide the student a letter outlining the decision of the meeting, including an agreement if one is reached and/or any related corresponding action plan.

Upon conclusion, all appropriate supporting information, including the formal grievance decision letter, should be forwarded to the Dean of Student Affairs.

4. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the grievance outcome at Level I, they may continue to Level II.

Initiation of a Student Grievance Appeal - Level II - FINAL

1. If the student is not satisfied with the decision at Level I, within five (5) business days from the student’s receipt of the written Level I decision from the Director, the student may file a Level II appeal to the Dean of Student Affairs (“Dean”). Within ten (10) business days of receipt of this appeal, the Dean will schedule a meeting with the student. The meeting may take place after the ten (10) business day timeframe so long as the date identified for the meeting is mutually agreed upon by the student and the Dean. The Dean may consult with appropriate institutional leadership as needed. A designee may be appointed from the RHEI Leadership Team to fill the role of the Dean as needed.

2. Within the ten (10) business day timeframe, the Dean will consider the grievance. This may include review of material submitted by both parties. At the meeting, the student must clearly present their grievance and present the resolution that they are seeking. The Dean may request a security officer to be present at the meeting.

3. Within five (5) business days after the meeting, the Dean will provide an official letter including the final determined outcome to the student, the associate whose decision is being grieved, and others as appropriate. The final determined outcome of the Level II appeal is final and not appealable.

Note: In some instances, the subject of a student grievance may impact a student’s progression in their program. Students participating in the grievance process may be permitted to progress to the next course pending a final decision in their case or may be permitted to go on a standard period of non-enrollment. Those who progress to the next course are responsible for any tuition and fees associated with such progression and may be at risk of financial loss should their appeal be unsuccessful. A period of non-enrollment will impact the student’s anticipated date of graduation, even if successful on appeal.