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Grievance Procedure

Policy Number - 5.46

Approved: 06/15/2010 | Updated: 05/19/2026

Related: 5.46 - Due Process and Employee Grievance

Grievance Procedure

When a Grievance and Disposition Form is filed with Human Resources, the following procedure will be followed. Grievances leveled against the President shall be referred directly to the Board of Trustees.

Step One: Conference (Grievant, Supervisor, and area Director or Dean)

  1. A conference shall be held between the aggrieved employee, his/her supervisor, and the Director or Dean within ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the Grievance and Disposition form filing.
  2. Within ten (10) calendar days after the conference, the Director or Dean shall submit a written decision to the grievant.
  3. If dissatisfied with the results, the grievant shall inform the supervisor in writing within seven (7) calendar days of the conference.
  4. At this point, the grievant may proceed to Step Two.

 

Step Two: Cabinet Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO)

If dissatisfied with Step One:

  1. The grievant must submit a written request to their designated Vice President and CHRO within ten (10) calendar days.
  2. The Vice President and CHRO shall review written statements from:
  • The grievant
  • The Director or Dean
The Vice President and CHRO may:
  • Render a decision in writing within five (5) calendar days
  1. If the grievance is against the Vice President, the President and CHRO shall serve as the hearing officer.

 

Step Three: Request Peer Review Hearing

If Step Two does not resolve the grievance:

  1. The grievant may submit a written request to convene a Peer Review Hearing within 10 (ten) calendar days.
  2. The Peer Review Hearing Committee shall consist of five employees drawn from the available pool of qualified volunteers. The CHRO will serve as moderator at the hearing but shall not offer an opinion or vote.
  3. The Peer Review Hearing Committee will review written materials and may solicit additional input if needed and will render a decision within five (5) calendar days.

 

Step Four: Appeal to the President

If Step Three does not resolve the grievance:

  1. The grievant may submit a written appeal within ten (10) calendar days to the President.
  2. The President shall review written statements from:
  • The grievant
  • The Director or Dean

The President may:

  • Render a final decision in writing within five (5) calendar days; or
  • Institute a hearing before the Board of Trustees at its next regular meeting.

 

Step Five: Appeal to the Board of Trustees

If referred to the Board of Trustees by the President:
  1. The written appeal shall: 
  • State the grounds of the grievance
  • Propose a remedy
  • Summarize decisions from prior steps
  1. Written materials must be submitted to the Board Secretary at least ten (10) calendar days before the hearing.

If submitted fewer than ten (10) calendar days before a scheduled meeting, the matter shall be heard at the following regular meeting.

The Board shall:

  • Conduct a formal hearing
  • Consider the grievance
  • Issue a final written decision by registered mail within fifteen (15) calendar days after the hearing

The Board of Trustees' decision is final.

Time Intervals

  • Time periods are maximum limits; all parties shall make reasonable efforts to expedite proceedings.
  • If the grievant fails to proceed within the stated timeframe, the grievance shall be considered settled.
  • If the Board of Trustees fails to issue a written decision within the allotted time following a hearing, such failure shall constitute admission that the grievance was justified, and the grievant shall receive the requested remedy.

Extensions

Time limits may be extended by mutual written agreement signed by both parties. Time limits shall not run during periods when grievant, supervisor or administrator are on vacation, sick leave, or professional leave, provided the grievant, supervisor or administrator are conducting College business. Time limits resume upon return to work.

Due Process Protections

Throughout all grievance proceedings, the following due process protections apply:
  • Written notice of allegations
  • Opportunity to present documentation and statements
  • Impartial review at each level
  • Written decisions at each formal stage
  • Right to appeal as outlined above

Relationship to Nondiscrimination Policy

Allegations involving unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under applicable law shall be addressed exclusively through the College’s nondiscrimination procedures and not through this grievance process.

Recordkeeping

All grievance documentation shall be maintained in accordance with College records retention policies and applicable law.

This is the Grievance and Disposition Form that aligns with the grievance procedure.