Student Complaints, Discrimination, & Social Harassment

STUDENT COMPLAINT FOR CLASSMATE CODE OF CONDUCT ISSUE

Students are expected to do their utmost to help maintain a high level of conduct among fellow students, monitoring themselves for adherence to program policies, particularly policies regarding student conduct and professionalism. This mirrors what is expected of licensed practitioners in medical/healthcare settings. The following policies and processes apply:

  • If a student witnesses another student not adhering to program policies on student conduct and professionalism, if not an egregious violation and safe to do so, students are requested to speak with the individual. If the issue fails to resolve, students are then expected to report the issue to their course director and/or faculty advisor.
  • If an egregious violation (e.g., issues of cheating and/or plagiarism, issues adversely affecting the safety and welfare of others involved in the college and/or clinical sites), students are expected to report the incident immediately to their course director and/or faculty advisor.
  • Importantly, the program and faculty are generally unable to address hearsay or unverifiable reports of student conduct and professionalism violations. Anonymous reports or complaints will not be accepted (this does not apply to course and faculty evaluations which, in most circumstances, are anonymous). 
  • Reports of cheating must be reported within 24 hours of the act so the complaint can be appropriately addressed.
  • The program and faculty will not inform other students (including students who initially reported the incident) of any actions taken or disposition of issues towards another student at any time.
  • The program and faculty will not share the names of reporters to other students in the program. However, reporters may be called before the student progression committee and/or graduate studies committee to verify the complaint.
STUDENT COMPLAINT FOR PROGRAM-RELATED ISSUE 

If a student has a complaint, it is recommended that they first contact the course director/department/program/office directly involved regarding the issue and seek resolution. The staff or faculty member may ask for additional information and may schedule an appointment to address the concern. If the student does not feel comfortable directly contacting the staff or faculty member connected to the complaint, the student can speak with the director/supervisor of that area.

If resolution with the office is not possible, the student should submit a formal written and signed complaint to the Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator.

The formal complaint should include:

  • The actual complaint stated as specifically as possible, and
  • The desired outcome.

Each student has the right to seek a remedy to a dispute or disagreement. Specific policies and procedures are outlined in the MPAS Program Student Handbooks pertaining to appeals for grades and student conduct, and in the College’s Academic Catalog or Student Handbook pertaining to other issues such as parking tickets and student records. In these cases, published policies and procedures are applied. In issues that are not covered by these policies and procedures, students have a right to file a complaint and request resolution.

The Dean of the School of Health Sciences or their designee will be assigned to address the complaint in a timely manner and to the best of their ability. Appropriate actions will be taken to resolve the issue for the student and to improve services in the future. If the problem is not resolved, the complainant may request a meeting with the President of the College. This policy does not apply to academic grade disputes, Title IX issues, or other published policies and procedures.

In the event that a student has a concern that they would like to express anonymously, the College participates in a service called the Campus Conduct Hotline at (866) 943-5787. The Campus Conduct Hotline system is available for use around the clock, seven days a week. Because the Hotline is operated by an independent organization, any calls made through this Hotline are completely confidential. The Hotline operator will record the complaint or concern and forward it to the appropriate staff member at the College for review and action as appropriate. Callers to the Hotline may remain anonymous.

DISCRIMINATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY

In compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws, and in accordance with our values Emory & Henry College does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community, to include faculty, staff, students, visitors, vendors, contractors or third parties, against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information in matters of employment, admissions, housing, services, or its educational programs and activities. Emory & Henry College affirms the dignity and worth of every individual.

Definitions

  1. Discrimination is an act or communication that alters an individual’s or group’s ability to completely participate in Emory & Henry’s community on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or gender expression.
  2. Social Harassment is conduct and/or verbal action which, because of its severity, interferes with an individual’s or group’s work or education, or adversely affects living conditions.
  3. Hostile Environment is caused by behavior that is sufficiently serious that it interferes with or limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by the College. It is considered to be disruptive to the educational community.
  4. Mediation is a facilitated discussion that is conducted with the assistance of a trained third party. It is designed to help the parties to reach a mutually agreeable resolution of a dispute and may be appropriate when:
    • The parties wish to continue communicating or working together.
    • The complaining party is able to articulate a desired outcome.
    • No one has been physically harmed.

Restorative Justice Resolution

Once a formal complaint is filed with the Dean of Students or the Director of Human Resources, parties involved can request a restorative justice resolution process. The restorative justice resolution process often provides an effective means of communicating about the effects of behavior and can lead to resolving most disputes. The complainant, respondent, or a college official must agree to the restorative justice process. Parties involved may terminate the resolution process at any time and initiate the student conduct process. (Please note that based on the nature of the complaint or if a pattern of this behavior is documented, social justice resolution may not be an option.)

  1. Discussion with Respondent: The complainant and respondent can elect to discuss the concerns directly with the other party involved, before any actions of other parties or college officials. The respondent may not understand that their conduct is offensive and unwelcome. Many arguments can be resolved or handled quickly with this form of communication. A complaint brought to the attention of the respondent shortly after the allegedly offensive behavior occurs can usually result in effective resolution. If an effective resolution is not obtained by the discussion, then the complainant or respondent has the option to discuss the alleged offensive behavior with a college official or a mediator.
  2. Discussion with College Officials or Mediators: A complainant or respondent can speak with or discuss concerns with a friend, confidant, advisor, or counselor. In order to initiate a social justice resolution with college officials or mediators, a complainant should contact a college official or a Student Life staff member in a timely manner. (College officials include the President of the College, Dean of Students, and Dean of Faculty.) If the complainant, respondent, or the college official involved in the restorative justice resolution feels that this option will not bring an effective resolution, they can terminate the resolution process and initiate the formal student conduct process.
  3. The Restorative Justice Discussion can help with any or all of the following:
    • Helping the complainant and respondent decide whether the behavior violates the policy and/or to educate students more about the policy itself.
    • Meeting with the respondent whose behavior is alleged to be offensive or unwelcome and help them understand or make it clear that the alleged behavior is unwelcome and should stop immediately.
    • Organizing an investigation with the hope and goal of ending the alleged behavior in an expeditious manner.
    • The resolution process will last as long as the complainant and respondent deem it desirable to continue to meet with the college official or mediator(s) designated above. Most complaints can be handled within a timely manner.
  4. What is Restorative Justice?
    • Restorative Justice is a collaborative decision-making process that includes harmed parties, offenders, and others who are seeking to hold offenders accountable by having them (a) accept and acknowledge responsibility for their offenses (b) to the best of their ability, repair the harm they caused to harmed parties and the community, and work to rebuild trust by showing understanding the harm, addressing personal issues, and building positive social connections. The resolution process will last as long as the complainant and respondent deem it desirable to continue to meet with the college official or mediator(s) designated above. Most complaints can be handled within a timely manner. Documents regarding the resolution of the Restorative Justice process will be keep in the Dean of Students Office.