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187 │COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 2017-2018 │STUDENT LIFE
committee is comprised of a minimum of three program directors or their designees and other faculty and staff as appropriate
to provide expertise related to the specifics of the grievance. The committee will meet within 14 days of receipt of the
grievance.
The student may request to be in attendance for the discussion of the issue to present a verbal statement, bring witnesses
and evidence, and to answer questions. In addition, the student may request a neutral observer (only) who is a student at
CIU to join them at this meeting. Neither the student nor the observer will be allowed to be present during the decision-
making process. Following the appeal discussion and decision, the Academic Grievance Committee chairman will provide
a written response to the student outlining the decision within 30 days.
An appeal of the Academic Grievance Committee decision may be made only if there is evidence that the grievance
procedures were not followed, new evidence surfaced, or inappropriate or disproportionate consequences were imposed.
The written appeal must be presented to his or her dean of the college within three days of receipt of the written Academic
Grievance Committee decision. A student also has the right to register a complaint with the Provost and/or university
President.
For Georgia residents not attending the Columbia, SC, campus, should the student so elect, he or she may contact the
State of Georgia — Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission — after all other procedures outlined above have
been exhausted: State of Georgia, Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission, 2082 East Exchange Place, Suite
220, Tucker, GA 30084,
www.gnpec.org, 770.414.3300.
Grievance Distinctions:
Academic Matters: If a student wishes to appeal a decision, or has a grievance about a course or faculty member, it should
be addressed in accordance with the Academic Grievance Policy. This policy is published elsewhere within the academic
catalog. Academic matters are items that pertain to a student’s interaction with the faculty, academic requirements,
graduation requirements, the interpretation of program, or course requirements, together with policies and processes that
support these matters.
Please note: There are specific policies addressing the appeal of a course grade and plagiarism.
If a student wishes to appeal a decision regarding a non-academic policy or wishes to file a grievance regarding a non-
academic matter, it should be addressed according to the Non-Academic Grievance Procedure.
Non-Academic Grievance Procedure or Appeal Process:
If there is a non-academic issue at hand, it must first be determined whether it is an appeal or a grievance. *If the matter is
a perceived incident of discrimination on the basis of sex, please refer to the Title IX statement at the end of the grievance
policy.
An appeal should be submitted when there is a disagreement with a decision made by the University or a university
employee. Appeals should be made, in writing, to the person/department rendering the decision with which there is
disagreement. A response will come within five business days. If the response is not satisfactory, then an appeal may be
made to the supervisor of the person/department responding to the initial appeal. This appeal should be made within three
days of the previous decision. The response from the supervisor will come within five business days and is final and binding
on all parties. This appeal procedure does not apply to academic decisions (see Academic Matters above).
A grievance should be submitted when a student believes he/she has been mistreated by a CIU faculty or staff member.
The grievance process is described as follows:
Step 1:
After submitting a written grievance, the student should formally discuss the matter with the individual or office
involved. If a student believes Step 1 is especially daunting or inappropriate given the situation, he or she may proceed to
Step 2. This procedure should not be followed in the case of a disciplinary appeal. Please refer to the disciplinary appeal
process stated in the student handbook.
After a discussion with the individual or office involved, if the student feels the situation has not been resolved satisfactorily,
Step 2 of this process may be taken:
Step 2:
Once a student has addressed the individual or office involved, the student may direct a letter explaining the
grievance to the supervisor of the person or office involved. If unknown, Student Life should be contacted for the name of
the appropriate person to address. The student should submit the letter in writing within three days of receiving information
identifying the contact person.
After submitting a letter, the student may request a meeting to present a verbal statement, bring witnesses and evidence,
and to answer questions. In addition, the student may request a neutral observer (only) who is a current CIU student to join
him/her at this meeting. Neither the student nor the observer will be allowed to be present during the decision process.