College Grievance Procedure

The college and work environment is at its best when communications are clear and attitudes are positive.

The purpose of this procedure is to outline a process for students to express and resolve misunderstandings, concerns, or issues that they have with any College employee, fellow student, or third party associated with the College in a fair and equitable manner. A student may use this procedure if s/he believes that an employee of the College, fellow student, or third party associated with the College has violated a College policy or has acted in a manner that is inappropriate or unfair to the student, which includes any student claims of discrimination on the basis of age, gender, race, color, creed, religion, marital status, national or ethnic origin, disability, or sexual orientation, as well as claims of sexual harassment.

Prior to undertaking an informal or formal grievance, a student is encouraged to resolve the complaint with the individual toward whom the grievance is directed. When this is not feasible, it is recommended that the informal procedure be followed. However, students are not required to follow informal procedures before a grievance is brought according to the College’s formal procedure.

INFORMAL PROCEDURE

Students are requested to follow the steps outlined below:

1. Discuss the matter with the individual(s) involved.
2. If a resolution is not reached after attempt at discussion with the individual(s) involved, or if the student chooses not to discuss the matter with the individual(s) involved, the student should discuss this matter with the employee’s supervisor (e.g., Department Director, Chairperson, etc. if the student grievance involves a College employee) who will attempt to mediate a resolution. In cases where a fellow student or third party is involved, the student should bring the matter to the attention of his/her student advisor who will attempt to mediate a resolution.
3. If the advisor, supervisor or chairperson cannot resolve the issue, the matter should be reported to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs who will gather information, communicate with all parties and attempt to mediate an informal resolution.
4. If the student is dissatisfied with the outcome, he/she can proceed with the formal grievance procedure.

FORMAL PROCEDURE

If the matter is not resolved adequately, the student submits a written statement of the grievance to the ASA’s Grievance Committee through the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The statement should provide an outline of the circumstances giving rise to the grievance, identification of the parties involved, and the location and date of the incident. Upon receipt of the written statement from the student, the chairperson of the Grievance Committee will gather any material and information needed to facilitate a fair decision. This stage of the grievance procedure will be completed within 15 business days, (or as soon as reasonably possible) by the Chairperson of the Committee or his/her designee. Within 10 business days after the completion of the “fact-finding” stage, the Chairperson will convene the full Grievance Committee to hear the complaint and review the findings. The decision of the Committee will be sent to all the parties involved with a copy to the President of ASA College. This decision will include remedies (if any) that may be suggested by the Committee.

Every attempt will be made to fairly and appropriately resolve grievance. A fair and appropriate resolution does not mean that the student will like the results. However, if the student believes that the resolution is unfair or inappropriate, the student, and/or the subject of the grievance, may appeal the decision to the President of ASA within 10 business days of receipt of the decision. If, after the appeal, the student continues to have concerns that the issue has not been fairly and appropriately resolved, the student may contact ASA’s accrediting agency, Middle States Commission on Higher Education

For more information please refer to your ASA Student Handbook.

---

CONTACT STUDENT ADVISEMENT OFFICE