11.2 Policy regarding Infringements upon Academic Freedom, Grade Disputes, Grievances

1. All allegations regarding infringements upon academic freedom, or other grievances are to remain confidential between the person filing the grievance/dispute and those persons identified in the chain of command. The chain of command cannot be broken, except for consultation and advice if needed. Even then, the rules of confidentiality apply to everyone. These rules of confidentiality must be strictly enforced to ensure reliability in the process and to remove any fear of retaliation against the person filing the grievance/dispute, or retaliation against the person being accused before a thorough investigation is conducted.
2. The chain of command for reporting grievances is:
   1. Faculty members report to Department Heads/Program Directors
   2. Department Heads/Program Directors report to Division Heads
   3. Division Heads report to the Associate Vice President and the Vice President of Academic Affairs
   4. The Vice President of Academic Affairs confers with the Grievance Representative (Faculty Senate President) for a neutral arbitration after all other avenues have been exhausted
3. Initial Investigation: Alleged infringements or grievances are reported using the Grievance Report to the next in command; if the next in command is the person whose actions are being questioned, then that person is bypassed, and the Grievance Report is submitted to the next in command (with the exceptions of grade disputes, that must always be reported first to the instructor).
4. The Grievance Report must be submitted within ten business days of the alleged incident, or within ten business days of becoming aware of the infringement. Grievance Reports that do not meet these deadlines are considered waived and non-actionable.
5. Upon receiving the Grievance Report, all necessary steps will be taken to investigate the allegations set forth. A summary of the findings will be outlined in response to the Grievance Report.
6. Grievance Reports will be investigated and responded to within 20 business days of its filing.
7. Grievance Reports will be answered with a summary of findings and recommendations.
8. Appeal: If these findings and recommendations are unsatisfactory, then a Grievance Report Appeal is submitted to the next in command, along with the findings of the Initial Investigation. Either party can submit an appeal. The Appeal must be filed within five business days of receiving the results of the Initial Investigation. The appeal will be investigated, including the findings of the Initial Investigation, including any other evidence that may be relevant. A decision will be provided within 20 business days of the Grievance Report Appeal submission.
9. Grievance Representative: If the appellate decision is unsatisfactory, either party can submit a written request to the Grievance Representative within five business days of the Grievance Report Appeal. The Grievance Representative will review all of the evidence and findings of the Initial Investigation and Appeal. The Grievance Representative will submit a Final Resolution with findings and recommendations. This decision is final and not subject to further review.