The primary objective of a student grievance procedure is to ensure concerns are promptly dealt with and resolutions reached in a fair and just manner. It is essential each student be given adequate opportunity to bring complaints and problems to the attention of TCTC with the assurance each will be heard and due process afforded the student.
A grievance is a complaint alleging a violation of Title IX (except in the case of Sexual Harassment where SDIRC policy must be followed), Section 504, and other federal and state civil rights laws, rules and regulations. It is a complaint by a TCTC student involving an alleged misapplication or violation of any TCTC policy or procedure that adversely impacts the student, or any other dispute within TCTC that directly impacts the student in adverse manners. A Grievance may include, but is not limited to, complaints alleging (a) mistreatment by a TCTC employee, (b) errors in the assessment of fees or other financial obligations, (c) registration errors, (d) loss of financial aid eligibility. A student is an individual who is enrolled to attend class full or part-time at TCTC.
Grievance Process:
1st step:
Resolve the problem informally with the person(s) alleged to have caused the grievance or with the direct supervisor/instructor.
2nd Step:
By the close of the third school day from the date of the incident, the student must submit a written complaint on the TCTC Grievance Form, located on the website, to the Student Advisor. If this time frame is not met, the issue shall not be grievable.
The Student Advisor or a designee will schedule a meeting with the student within two school days from receipt of the Grievance Form. The student will be afforded the opportunity to state his/her view and to present evidence or names of witnesses. The Student Advisor will meet with any witnesses present on campus within two school days from meeting with the student filing the Grievance Form. If witnesses are not present on campus to be interviewed by the Student Advisor within those two days, it will be determined they will not be available to serve as a witness for this grievance. The Student Advisor will issue a decision regarding the matter within two school days from meeting with all available witnesses.
3rd Step:
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome or if no resolution has been made within three working days from meeting with available witnesses, the same grievance shall be submitted to TCTC Administration within ten school days from the date of the alleged incident to remain grievable.
TCTC Administration shall, within three working days, appoint a review panel of three to five members consisting of TCTC staff other than the student's program instructor(s). TCTC Administration shall preside as chairperson of the panel. The review panel shall review the written grievance, witness statements and interview notes. No other issues shall be considered or discussed. The committee shall respond in writing within two school days of the review panel meeting resolution. There shall be no further appeal of any grievance of any adult student at TCTC from this point.
4th Step:
TCTC is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. If grievance is not settled at the institution level the accrediting agency may be contacted.
Every effort will be made to resolve the situation at the local level. In the event a student cannot resolve a conflict concerning his/her technical training at the local level, he or she may contact our accreditation agency or our state agency:
Accreditation Agency
Council on Occupational Education
7840 Roswell Road
Building 300, Suite 325
Atlanta, GA 30350
www.council.org
Phone # (770) 396-3898 or (800) 917-2081
State Agency
Florida Department of Education
Career and Adult Education
325 West Gaines Street
Suite 734
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Phone # (850)-245-0446