Student Conflict Resolution

Subject:  STUDENT CONFLICT RESOLTUION
Board Policy Number:  432 (procedure 432.01)
Date Adopted: May 13, 2008
Date Revised:  

Peninsula College guarantees students the right to express and resolve:

1. Misunderstandings;
2. Alleged violations of a College policy, procedure, or regulation; and
3. Alleged unfair treatment.

Administrative Procedure Number:   432.01
Student Conflict Resolution Procedure

The purpose of the following procedure is to establish a process for students to express and resolve any issues with any College employee or agent of the College in a fair and equitable manner.  First, the student must follow an informal procedure (see below) to resolve the issue. Second, if the informal procedure does not resolve the issue, the student may initiate the formal procedure below.  Issues deemed to be without merit will be dismissed during the formal procedure process. The student must initiate proceedings with the College within fifteen (15) instructional days from the date of the incident.

Issues excluded from the conflict resolution process:

1.      The student conflict resolution procedure may not be filed based on the outcome of summary or other disciplinary proceedings as described in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Board Policy Number: 431 (procedure 431.01).

2.      The student conflict resolution procedure may not be filed in protest against federal or state laws, or against policies, regulations, or procedures adopted by the State Community and Technical College Board or by the Trustees of Peninsula College.

3.      The student conflict resolution procedure may not be used for student academic evaluations. For these concerns, a student must contact the Office of the Dean of Instruction.

4.      Sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or disabled discrimination complaints. For these concerns, a student will use the appropriate procedures as outlined in Board Policy Number: 501 (procedure 501.01) and Board Policy Number: 503 (with procedure 503.01).

 

Informal Conflict Resolution Procedure:

When a student believes that he/she has been treated unfairly by a College faculty or staff member, the student shall meet with the individual in a good faith effort to resolve the dispute promptly and fairly. This is an informal process that promotes constructive dialogue and understanding, requiring no paperwork or forms. Prior to pursuing the formal conflict resolution procedure, the student must use the following informal procedure:

The student shall discuss the issue informally with the College faculty or staff member. Both parties should openly discuss the matter in an attempt to understand varying perspectives, explore alternatives, and attempt to arrive at a satisfactory resolution to the issue within fifteen (15) instructional days from the date the student first made the issue known.

In the event of an absence from campus by the faculty or staff member, the student shall contact the faculty or staff member’s supervisor for advice on how to proceed with the process. If the student feels that he/she cannot meet face-to-face with the faculty or staff member, he/she may contact the faculty or staff member’s supervisor directly. The faculty or staff member’s supervisor may act as a mediator to resolve the conflict in a prompt and fair manner.

Formal Conflict Resolution Procedure.

 

1. In the event resolution is not achieved through the informal procedure, the student may initiate the formal procedure 
   by writing a letter to the appropriate unit administrator or designee of the faculty or staff member. The letter must be 
   submitted within ten (10) instructional days of the conclusion of the unresolved informal process. The letter must 
   include a:
   • Detailed description of the issue; including dates and times;
   • Summary of the actions taken by the student to resolve the issue; and
   • Proposed solution.
2. The appropriate unit administrator or designee shall determine if the issue is with or without merit.  An issue without merit will be dismissed without further review and the student will be notified in writing of this determination.
3. The appropriate unit administrator or designee shall attempt to resolve the issue found to have merit by:
4. Serving as an intermediary between the student and the faculty or staff member and after considering all of the facts of the situation and talking with both parties involved, the unit administrator or designee will decide how to best resolve the issue promptly and fairly.
5. The unit administrator or designee handling the case will notify the student in writing of the decision after the conclusion of the formal process.  The student may appeal the action taken by the unit administrator or designee to the next administrative level. The decision at this level shall be final.