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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 earlier 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. Following the discussion and decision, the
appropriate university representative will provide a written response to the student
outlining the decision within five business days.
Step 3:
If this response does not resolve the issue, the grievance may continue
through the following process in order:
1.
Dean of Student Life
X5234 (Student Center)
2.
Provost
X5027 (Administration Building)
In each instance the student with the grievance should contact the next office
within three business days of notification from the previous office. The CIU official
will reply back within five business days of notification from the student filing the
grievance.
* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
is a Federal civil rights law that
prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities.
Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment or
sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion.
According to Title IX, the perceived perpetrator may be any member of the CIU
community, current student or employee, male or female. If a student, male or
female, believes that he/she has been a victim of discrimination on the basis of
sex, it should be immediately reported to the dean of Student Life.
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