Student Grievance Policy

Categorized: Student Services

Responsible Office: Chief Learning Officer

Subject: Policies and Procedures Governing Student Academic and Non-Academic Grievances

Related Policies: Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

Effective Date: 10/01/2018

Last Reviewed Date: 06/15/2020

Scope

The student grievance process applies to academic and non-academic student grievances, including student complaints of unlawful discrimination or unfair treatment. The grievance process applies to complaints from Compass Computer and Business School students, no matter location or learning mode of delivery, arising under any of the following:

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972
  • Exception: allegations of sexual harassment or sexual assault are covered by the Sexual Misconduct Policy. If assistance is needed in determining which Policy is applicable, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at703.323.2262.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Actof1973
  • Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
  • Age Discrimination Act of 1975

Policy Statement

Compass Computer and Business School is dedicated to a policy which provides that all grievances relating to students, including grade appeals, will be handled fairly and equally, without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors. It is the policy of Compass Computer and Business School to provide fair and orderly procedures to resolve student grievances. Nothing in this policy prevents a student from discussing a complaint informally with any appropriate school official.

Definitions

Academic grievance: An academic grievance is an appeal of a final course grade or dismissal from an academic program. An academic grievance must be based on at least one of the following: arbitrary and/or capricious action on the part of the faculty member, including assignment of a grade or dismissal from a program on some basis other than performance in the course or program; application of standards different from those that were applied to other students in the same course or program; the assignment of a grade not in accord with the grading protocol on the course syllabus; or dismissal from a program not in accord with the program standards.

Discrimination: The unequal treatment of individuals who are similarly situated. The school prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex or age (except where sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification), religion, disability, national origin, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

Non-academic grievance: A non-academic grievance is a formal difference or dispute between a student and a school employee about the interpretation and/or application of the policies and procedures of the school, or the anything that negatively affects the student. A non-academic grievance may be based on one of the following claims: arbitrary and/or capricious actions by a school employee or administrative office; policy or procedure applied unfairly and/or in a different manner than it was applied to others; administrative error in the application of the policy or procedure.

Procedures

Discrimination Complaints

  1. Any student, employee, applicant or visitor who feels that he or she has been the victim of discrimination or harassment may file a complaint about such discrimination or harassment.
    1. Complaints may be addressed via phone or email: (602) 759-0553 or contact@compasscbs.com.