Student Grievances

Student Academic Grievances

1. The grievance policy of the Arnold School of Public Health follows the procedures set forth in the Carolina Community Student Handbook and Policy Guide and policy STAF 6.30  Grievance Policy -- Academic as well as those applicable guidelines found in the Faculty Manual.
2. The basis of a student academic grievance shall be an alleged violation of the Teaching Responsibility policies as contained in the Faculty Manual or an alleged violation of the policies contained in Protection of Free Expression and/or Protection Against Improper Disclosure sections as found in the Carolina Community Student Handbook and Policy Guide. A student academic grievance is not considered to extend to matters of grading student work where the substance of the complaint is simply the student's disagreement with the mark or grade placed on his or her work. Such matters are to be discussed by a student and the teacher; final authority shall remain with the teacher.

3. A student who wishes to bring an academic grievance within the School should first seek resolution with the faculty member in question. If no satisfactory resolution is achieved, the student may pursue the matter further with the department chair. If not satisfied, the student may seek resolution with the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, the designated person in the Dean's Office to hear such concerns. The student's appeal to the Associate Dean must be in writing as directed by the Office of Academic Affairs (i.e. specifications for electronic or paper submission may be required).
4. The Grievance Committee will hear the complaint only after the administrative procedures outlined in paragraph 3 have been exhausted and upon request from the student or faculty member concerned. The request must be submitted in writing through the Office of Academic Affairs.  The committee includes at least three Arnold School faculty members and student representation.
5. In accordance with the Carolina Community: Student Handbook and Policy Guide , the Dean of the School will not serve on the Grievance Committee.
6. The Committee will follow specific procedures for the hearing that follow those described in the Carolina Community Student Handbook and Policy Guide and policy STAF 6.30 .
7. A faculty member who feels that he or she has been aggrieved as a result of the student grievance proceeding has the right to appear before a Faculty Grievance committee to present his or her case.

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Student Non-Academic Grievances

1. The grievance policy of the Arnold School of Public Health follows the procedures set forth in the Carolina Community Student Handbook and Policy Guide and policy STAF 6.27 Student Grievance Policy - Non-Academic.
2. A grievance is defined as dissatisfaction occurring when a student thinks that any condition affecting him/her is unjust, inequitable, or creates unnecessary hardship.  Such grievances include, but are not limited to, the following problems:  mistreatment by any University employee, wrongful assessment and processing of fees, records and registration errors, racial discrimination, sex discrimination, handicapped discrimination, as they relate to non-academic areas of the University.  [Note that response to sexual harassment is guided by policy EOP 1.02 Sexual Harassment.]
3. The initial phase of the student grievance procedure requires an oral discussion between the student and the person(s) alleged to have caused the grievance.  This discussion must take place within 10 working days of the incident that constituted the grievance.
4. If the initial oral discussion phase is not successful in resolving the complaint or problem, the grievance must be documented in writing to the Arnold School Office of Academic Affairs within five days of the initial discussion.
5. The student bringing the grievance will have the opportunity to present to the school Grievance Committee either in writing or in person any and all evidence pertaining to the grievance.

6. Those persons who disagree with the claims of the grievance will have a similar opportunity to present.
7. If evidence is presented in person, the committee will have the opportunity to ask questions for points of clarification.
8. After the committee has asked questions and clarified the issues, the student bringing the grievance and any other persons not on the committee will be asked to leave the room.
9. The committee will deliberate on the specific issues of the grievance:
1. If it is determined that there is no cause for a grievance, the meeting is over and the parties are dismissed.
2. If it is determined that there is cause for a grievance, the most reasonable and fair solution to all parties will be set forth.
10. Once a solution is determined, the student bringing the grievance and the other parties involved may be brought back in to hear the committee's resolution. All parties are bound by the committee's decisions unless either chooses to appeal the grievance further.
11. Committee findings and resolutions will be distributed in writing to all concerned and a copy filed with the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs of the Arnold School within seven (7) calendar days of the meeting.