Kankakee Community College students have the right to express their concerns if they believe they have been treated unfairly, subjected to harassment, or been the victim of discrimination. The Procedures for Student Complaints/Grievances/Appeals provides a means for students to express complaints/grievances/appeals, to request a form of relief, and to receive an objective hearing. Students are reminded that filing a false complaint/grievance/appeal is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The KCC Dean of Instruction and Dean of Student Services are available to assist students who are considering filing a complaint/grievance/appeal.

A. The following procedure provides the steps for a student to file a complaint/grievance/appeal concerning a faculty member's academic decision.

1. The student first meets with the person whose action has caused him/her to consider filing the complaint/grievance/appeal in an effort to resolve the situation informally. This meeting must take place within twenty-one college days of the date of the action.
2. If not resolved through informal discussion and over a period not to exceed seven college days, the student may complete a Student Complaint/Grievance/Appeal Form within seven days of speaking to the faculty/staff member.
3. The form is submitted to the supervisor of the person whose action has caused the complaint/grievance/appeal.
4. Within the next seven days, the supervisor schedules a meeting with the student to attempt to resolve the concern. The person whose action caused the complaint/grievance/appeal may be invited by either the student or the supervisor to attend the meeting.
5. A written response will be provided to the student by the supervisor either personally or by first-class mail within seven college days of the meeting.
6. If the complaint/grievance/appeal is not resolved after that meeting, the student may submit the complaint/grievance/appeal to the next level supervisor within seven college days of receiving the written response. Included shall be a copy of the first complaint/grievance/appeal, the response provided, and an explanation of why that response was not satisfactory to the student.
7. A meeting is then scheduled by the second-level supervisor with the student and the first-level supervisor. The person whose action caused the complaint/grievance/appeal may be invited to the meeting by either the student or the second-level supervisor.
8. Another written response will be provided to the student by this supervisor either personally or by first-class mail postmarked within seven college days following the meeting.
9. If the matter is not resolved, the student may appeal in writing within seven working days to the Vice President for Instruction and Student Services, whose decision is final and will be provided in writing to the student either personally or by first-class mail postmarked within seven college days following his/her receipt of the appeal. Written copies of all complaints/grievances/appeals and the responses shall accompany this final complaint/grievance/appeal.
   
   Special Note Regarding Safe Practice

If a question of safe practice is an issue, the student may not be allowed to continue in the course or program until the appeal process is concluded. While every effort will be made to expedite the appeal process, there is a possibility that the grievance may delay the grievant's completion of a course or program.

B. The following procedure provides the steps for a student to file a complaint/grievance/appeal about the conduct of a faculty member, other KCC employee, student, or auxiliary service personnel about a matter unrelated to academic decisions.

1. The student wishing to file a complaint/grievance/appeal about a matter not related to academic decisions may discuss the matter with the person responsible for the work area of the person who is the subject of the complaint/grievance/appeal.
2. If that attempt to resolve the situation is not possible or successful, the student may complete the KCC Non-Academic Complaint Form, available in the Office of the Dean of Student Services (Room L201), the Office of the Dean of Instruction (Room L238), or in the Admissions and Records Office (Room D222).
3. The completed form must be submitted to the Dean of Student Services (Room L201) within 30 college days, as defined on the form.
4. The Dean will meet with the student filing the form within seven college days of the receipt of the form and will provide a response within seven college days of the meeting.
5. If the student finds the response unacceptable, the student may file an appeal with the Vice President for Instruction and Student Services within seven college days of receiving the Dean of Student Services' response.
6. The Vice President of Instruction and Student Services must provide a written response to the student within seven college days of receiving the appeal, and that response is final.

The following procedure provides the steps for a student to file a complaint/grievance/appeal about the conduct of a faculty member, other KCC employee, student, or auxiliary service personnel about a matter that is related to the discrimination or harassment of the student based on the student's race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or veteran's status relative to employment.

1. The student first contacts the Dean of Student Services (L201) or Director of Human Resources (L225) to provide a written description of the discrimination or harassment activity causing the complaint/grievance/appeal.
2. The Dean and/or Director meets with the person who is the subject of the complaint/grievance/appeal to document, in written form, information about the incident.
3. Additional persons who may be witnesses or observers of any information about the complaints/grievance/appeal may be interviewed by the Dean and/or Director to provide written accounts of any activities relative to the issue.
4. After a review of all the documentation by the Vice President for Business Affairs and Human Resources and the Vice President for Instruction and Student Services, a decision will be written and provided to the student and the person who is being accused of discrimination or harassment. If the investigation confirms that discrimination or harassment occurred, the college will take corrective action including discipline up to and including immediate dismissal, as appropriate. Discipline may include verbal and written reprimand, reassignment, suspension, counseling, termination, or any combination of these actions.
5. Confidentiality of all parties involved will be respected to the extent of the law; retaliation against anyone reporting discrimination or harassment is prohibited. Similarly, filing a false complaint will result in serious consequences.

KCC Student Complaint Grievance Appeal Form (15kb)

KCC Non-Academic Complaint Grievance Appeal Form (18kb)