Student Handbook 2010-2011 - Holyoke Community College

is an individual’s personal sense of being male, female, orelsewhere on the spectrum of gender (including those whoidentify as transgender, or are non-traditional in their genderidentity). Gender expression includes external characteristicsand behaviors of gender identity such as dress, mannerisms,speech patterns, and social interactions. HCC willtake reasonable measures to prevent and discourage all actsof intolerance and harassment on the basis of gender identity/expressionand will act positively to investigate allegedharassment or discrimination and to affect a remedy or resolutionwhen an allegation is determined to be valid.Grievance Procedure for StudentsPolicy Goal: Conflict ResolutionBefore invoking the student grievance procedure, a reasonableeffort shall be made by those involved in a dispute toresolve it amicably. A dispute is most effectively handledand resolved by those closest to the problem, having thebest understanding of the issues, and having the ability toformulate a mutually acceptable resolution. Therefore, it isin the best interest of the student, the potential subject of agrievance, and the college to resolve disputes through openand cooperative dialogue. Only when such efforts are unsuccessfulshould the student grievance procedure be invoked.Throughout all phases of the student grievance procedure, allreasonable efforts shall be made to maintain confidentialityin accordance with applicable law.Definitions:1. Complaint: the informal, unwritten stage of an allegationof mistreatment.2. Grievance: a written complaint filed by a studentwith the person designated by the president as thestudent grievance officer specifically alleging anabridgment of his or her rights as a student.3. Grievant: the student or students filing the complaintor grievance. The grievant must have been a registeredstudent of the college at the time of the alleged mistreatment.4. Responding party: the person against whom a complaintor grievance is directed.5. Student Grievance Officer: a college employeeassigned responsibility for administering the studentgrievance procedure, including the maintenanceof specified records. The student grievance officeris the dean of student services. If this individual isthe person against whom the grievance is filed, thepresident shall designate another college official toact as the student grievance officer.6. Time: the number of days indicated at each levelshall be considered as a maximum. All reasonableefforts shall be made to expedite the process, but thepresident or his/her designee may extend the timelimits in extenuating circumstances with notice toboth parties in writing, or by mutual written agreementbetween the grievant and the respondingparty.7. Day: as used in this policy, shall mean a calendarday.8. Senior Officer: senior level employee who reports tothe president for the responding party’s work area.9. Instructional Period: the academic semester, summersession, or intersession when a grievant knowsor should have known of a grievable act or inaction.The Instructional Period shall end on the last day offinal exams.Utilizing the Student Grievance ProcedureThe student grievance procedure may be used by a student toaddress complaints concerning the alleged abridgment of thestudent’s rights, student grievant or the responding party mayconsult with the student grievance officer or his/her designeeat any time. The college’s student grievance officer is IsabelHuskey, dean of Student Services (FR 224), (413) 552-2390.Discrimination ComplaintsThe student grievance procedure may not be used for complaintsalleging sexual harassment or discrimination. Whena student believes that he/she has been discriminated againstdue to his/her race, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation,age, disability, veteran status, genetic informationor national origin, the college’s Affirmative Action grievanceprocedure is a mechanism for resolution. The college’sAffirmative Action grievance procedure is contained in thecollege’s Affirmative Action plan. The college’s AffirmativeAction officer is Idelia Smith (FR 317), (413) 522-2228.Grade DisputesIf a complaint involves a grade dispute, a student shallprocess the complaint in accordance with the student grievanceprocedure, even if the student alleges that a grade wasimproper because of discrimination.MediationAt any level of the student grievance procedure, either partymay request mediation by contacting the student grievanceofficer or his/her designee. Mediation shall be mutually agreedupon, and not unreasonably refused by either party. The studentgrievance officer or his/her designee shall select an impartialmediator who shall be mutually agreed upon and not unreasonablyrefused by either party, make the arrangements, determinethe timetable for the mediation process, and inform the partiesof the timetable in writing. Where practicable, a mediationsession shall be conducted no later than thirty (30) days afterrequested and agreed to by the parties. The purpose of mediationis to resolve the dispute to the satisfaction of both parties. Ifa resolution cannot be achieved, the grievant may proceed withthe grievance process.A claim of physical or sexual assault shall not proceed underthe student grievance procedure. A student claiming physicalor sexual assault by an employee of the college shall report47