SPH GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

Purpose

The Arnold School of Public Health’s Grievance Committee acts as an investigatory and advisory body on student grievances of an academic nature (this excludes grades).  The committee also reviews and recommends appropriate action on academic requirements and standards, current academic policies and practices, and petitions from students who seek relief from scholastic regulation and requirements.  The committee is not used for appeals where a clearly defined appeal process has already been established.

The current goals of the SPH Grievance Committee are to:

1. receive and review oral, written and other reports from plaintiffs and those accused
2. gather and consider all information relevant to issues under review;
3. prepare a written report setting forth the findings of fact; and
4. if a grievance is found to exist, make recommendations about its resolution to the dean.

Committee Members

      The committee is composed of six faculty and one student member.  Members are appointed by the Office of Academic Affairs upon recommendation by department chairs and typically serve a period of up to three academic years.

      Committee Chair and Chair Responsibilities

      The chair of the committee is appointed by the Office of Academic Affairs and typically serves in that capacity for 1-2 years.  The chair’s responsibilities include:

1. sending copies of submitted grievances to committee members, the person(s) against whom the grievance was initiated, the chair of the department of the former, and the dean;
2. asking the person(s) against whom the grievance was filed to respond in writing within five (5) working days;
3. scheduling a meeting with the committee to examine the grievance;
4. notifying all involved parties of the decision of the committee to hear or not hear the grievance;
5. conducting the grievance hearing;
6. granting hearing postponements;
7. forwarding a copy of the committee’s decision to the major parties involved;
8. notifying the Office of Academic Affairs of hearing outcomes;
9. submitting a list of actions taken during the current academic year at the end of each spring semester.