Procedures for Addressing Student Concerns
More information is available in the College Catalog under Student Rights .
Students with concerns about course requirements, class procedures, teaching styles or grades should, whenever possible, first approach the instructor for clarification/resolution. Concerns about final grades must be expressed by the end of the next regular semester. If, after contacting the instructor, you still have concerns, you should address them to the appropriate Program Coordinator and/or Department Chair who will work with you and the instructor to resolve the matter. If the department is unable to remedy the situation, you should address your concerns to the School Dean.
Individual departments may establish their own internal procedures for handling student concerns. If the division is unable to remedy the situation, you may then appeal in writing to the Office of Academic & Student Affairs. Concerns may also be submitted online using the Student Complaint Form.
Anonymous calls or unsigned letters will not be acknowledged. Only concerns expressed by the individual student involved will be dealt with.
Employees of the college may not legally discuss matters pertaining to students with parents, spouses, friends, or classmates without a signed release from the student.
Non-Discrimination Complaint Procedures, Excluding Sexual Misconduct
The following complaint procedures apply to complaints concerning discrimination and equal opportunity.
The College takes all reports of concerns seriously and will respond in a prompt, equitable, and impartial manner.
How to File a Report of Concern
Complaints involving discrimination and harassment by a student that is not a sexual misconduct or sex discrimination concern:
Dr. Amy Koehler, Provost/CAO
636-922-8282
akoehler@stchas.edu
Complaints involving discrimination and harassment by an employee, vendor, or visitor that is not a sexual misconduct or sex discrimination concern:
Terri Edrich, Executive Director of Employee Engagement, Development, and Compliance
636-922-8300
tedrich@stchas.edu
Intentional False Reporting and Reports Made in Bad Faith
The college expects all reports of concern to be made in good faith and intentionally false reporting of concerns, such as an act of retaliation, may result in disciplinary sanctions. False reporting may also be a violation of state criminal statutes and civil defamation laws.
Other Responsible Parties
Ensuring that SCC is free of discrimination and harassment is a shared responsibility of all members of the College community. A person does not have to be the direct target or victim to report it. If a college official (administrators, managers, and supervisors) becomes aware of a possible concern, the official has the duty to immediately report the matter. College employees who are not in supervisory positions are encouraged to report concerns when they become aware of them.
Retaliation
The College strictly prohibits retaliation against an individual for reporting discrimination and harassment, an individual assisting someone with a complaint, and an individual who participates in an investigation. Any incidents of alleged retaliation should be immediately reported. In the event that retaliation is found to have taken place, sanctions will be governed by policy noted below in the Sanctions and Appeals section.
Methods for Resolving Complaints
Informal Resolution
The purpose of the informal resolution process is to allow an individual who believes she/he has been unlawfully discriminated against to resolve the issue through a facilitated process. When the College determines that informal resolution is appropriate based on the review of facts associated with the complaint, the vice president or designee will assist involved parties who wish to voluntarily participate in informal resolution. Informal resolution does not involve a full investigation.
Formal Resolution
When the initial review of facts associated with the complaint results in reasonable cause that violations of these policies/procedures may have occurred, following Informal Resolution as applicable, the Provost/CAO or designee will conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial formal investigation and adjudication. Adjudication may occur in partnership with the Vice Provost and/or School Dean.
If there is a finding that the individual is not responsible for violation of this policy/procedure, the parties will be notified. If there is a finding that the individual is responsible for violation of this policy/procedure, the parties will be notified and sanction(s) may be applied in accordance with the policy noted in the Sanctions and Appeals section below.
Right of Appeal
Appeals are handled within the policy listed in the Sanctions and Appeals section below.
Sanctions and Appeals
For the individual found to be responsible for violation of this policy/procedures, sanctions and appeals are governed by the following:
Board Policy, Article VI.21 Student Conduct, Discipline, and Due Process
Additional Information:
Article I.02 Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
Article I.07 Sexual Harassment
Student Grievances
Any student grievance not specifically addressed by other written policies in this handbook should be directed to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs in 12-CH, suite 2110. Calls can be made to 636-922-8358
ADA Grievance Appeal Procedures
Students are encouraged to discuss any disability related concerns with the Disability Support Services (DSS) manager first to seek an informal resolution to their concern. The DSS manager will attempt to resolve issues by assisting the student in communication with the faculty member, department, or program and participating in discussions between the relevant parties in an effort to clarify and resolve issues. Most situations are positively resolved through this process.
DSS supports you in your right to file a grievance when you believe you have been denied equal access in the form of appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids or effective communication or suffered discriminatory harassment as described in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.
The general grievance procedures outlined in the Student Handbook are also available to students with disabilities. The grievance procedures listed below are additional procedures that apply to students with disabilities who feel their rights have been violated under 504 and ADA. If it is determined that another college procedure governs the situation (grade appeal, sexual misconduct, etc.), the student will be referred to the appropriate administrator.
An advisor of the student’s choosing may be present during any investigative meetings. The role of the advisor is solely to support the student. The advisor is not permitted to ask or answer questions, serve as a witness, or make a statement on behalf of the student. The College is not responsible for providing students with an advisor.
Steps For A Formal Resolution Of Your Disability Complaint:
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Submit a written statement to the Executive Director, Student Services or their designee within 15 business days* of the date of the occurrence. The complaint should contain the:
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The complaint will then be forwarded to the appropriate department, for adjudication and resolution efforts with the complainant, using normal administrative channels (department chair, academic dean, vice president for academic affairs or administrative director/ dean). Resolution efforts shall not exceed 30 working days* after the filing of the complaint.
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A written copy of the decision will be forwarded to the complainant by the Executive Director, Student Services or designee.
Formal Resolution Appeal
If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision and wishes to file an appeal, the complainant shall notify the Executive Director, Student Services within 15 business days* of the date of the decision.
The appeal must cite at least one of the following criteria as the reason for appeal and provide supporting arguments:
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A procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the matter.
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Newly discovered evidence that was not reasonably available when the resolution decision was made that could affect the outcome of the matter.
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The Executive Director, Student Services or other investigating office had a general of specific conflict of interest or bias against the complainant that affected the outcome of the matter.
The Executive Director, Student Services will investigate which will provide all interested persons an opportunity to submit additional evidence relevant to the complaint. The Executive Director, Student Services will forward a written response within 20 business days* of receipt of the written complaint. The Executive Director’s decision is final and not subject to further appeal.
*Dates may be extended with the permission of all parties concerned.
While students are always encouraged to seek resolution of complaints within the structure of institutional policies, they may have alternative options available, including contacting the US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.
Additional External Grievance Process
The Missouri Department of Higher Education serves as a clearinghouse for postsecondary student complaints - the MDHE complaint policy. This web page contains information about the complaint process and includes instructions for how to file a formal complaint. Note that the policy provides that a student who wishes to file a complaint with the department must first exhaust all formal and informal avenues provided by the institution to resolve disputes.
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces several Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education. A complaint can be filed by anyone who believes that an education institution that receives Federal financial assistance has discriminated against someone on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. The complaint form can be found at OCR Complaint Form.
Additionally, students may also contact the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools:
230 North LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
1-800-621-7440; Fax: 312-263-7462
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