Grievance Procedure for College of Engineering Graduate Students

I. Introduction

This document describes the procedures provided by the College of Engineering (CoE) for resolving complaints or grievances.  Complaints or grievances may apply to any situation (i.e. personal, academic, etc.).  Although the procedures described make provision for formal adjudication of disputes between students and faculty or administrators, it should be noted that the emphasis in the procedures is on a more informal form of intervention.  These steps should only be followed if the student has already attempted to resolve the problem directly with the party in question.

II. Applicability of the Grievance Procedures

A. These procedures are available for the review of grievances concerning matters including, but not limited to:

1. All aspects of the degree process involving grading, evaluation, or status;
2. Alleged unprofessional conduct toward students; 
3. Allegedly unfair or discriminatory treatment of students; 
4. Matters of a personal nature;
5. Allegedly unfair disciplinary action taken as a result of allegations or findings of student academic misconduct; however, these procedures may not be used to appeal a decision of the Rackham Graduate Academic Judiciary Board regarding violations of the Graduate School's policy on academic integrity.  Applicable appeals procedures for that purpose are provided in the document "Policy Statement on Academic and Professional Integrity."

III. Overview of Student Grievance Process
A.  Informal resolution attempted with the student's faculty advisor.
B.  Informal resolution attempted with either the student's graduate chair or department chair.
C.  Informal resolution attempted with the CoE Graduate Student Liaison.
D.  Formal resolution sought with the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education (ADRGE).

IV. Steps to Follow in the Grievance Process
These steps must be followed in the order in which they are presented.
A.  The student should attempt to resolve the grievance with his/her faculty advisor.

1. If it is resolved, the grievance ends.
2. If it is unresolved and the student elects to continue the grievance process, he/she may go to Step B.
   

B.  The student may bring the grievance to his/her graduate chair or department chair, who will attempt to mediate a resolution between the student and the faculty member(s), department, or unit.  If appropriate, a departmental committee may be formed to review the grievance.

1. If it is resolved, the grievance ends.
2. If it is unresolved and the student elects to continue the grievance process, he/she may go to Step C.
   

C.  The student may bring the grievance to the CoE Graduate Student Liaison.

1. If it is resolved, the grievance ends.
2. If it is unresolved and the student elects to continue the grievance process, he/she may go to Step D.

D.  The student may bring the grievance to the ADRGE, at which point they will work together towards resolving the issue.  If necessary, the issue may be brought before the CoE Grievance Appeal Panel.

V.  CoE Grievance Appeal Panel
This section describes the procedures provided by the Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education in the College of Engineering, for resolving grievances before the CoE Grievance Appeal Panel.  Although the procedures described make provision for formal adjudication of disputes, it should be noted that the emphasis in the procedures is on a more informal form of intervention; that is, mediation. Mediation allows the disputants to construct a resolution that has been mutually agreed upon, and that is satisfactory to both parties.

The grievance appeal process should only be followed once all attempts for informal resolution have been exhausted, as described in section IV.  If no resolution can be achieved after following these steps and meeting with the ADRGE, then the grievant may submit a written statement of the grievance to the ADRGE within 30 days.  It should state the basis of the complaint, summarize the facts which support it, describe attempts which have been made to resolve the grievance and the outcomes of those attempts, and a statement of the desired remedy.  The grievance will then be brought before the CoE Grievance Appeal Panel.  All adjudicative proceedings of the CoE Grievance Appeal Panel will be closed to the public.

A. Panel Composition
The Panel will consist of two CoE faculty members and one graduate student.  The faculty and students will be randomly selected from a pre-determined pool of panelists.

1. Eight CoE faculty members will be appointed as panelists by the ADRGE, and will serve for 2 years.
2. Four graduate students will be appointed by the ADRGE, and will serve for 1 year.

B.  Decision Process

1. If the CoE Grievance Appeals Panel, after preliminary fact-finding, rules that the procedures are not applicable, or that on the basis of the facts stated by the grievant and viewed in the light most favorable to the grievant, no remedy is possible, a continuation of the hearing process is denied.
2. If applicable, a hearing is held and findings and recommendations are rendered within two weeks.  The report from the panel should contain the findings of fact, the recommendations, the reasons for the recommendations, the policy basis or criteria applied in reaching the recommendations and, if applicable, specific deadlines for implementing the resolution. This document will be prepared by the ADRGE and submitted to the Dean of the College of Engineering.
3. The Dean of the College of Engineering will make the final decision and all parties involved will be informed in writing.

 Updated: January 9, 2006