This grievance procedure provides a process for constructively resolving serious academic or administrative grievances that students may have with faculty or administrators. Its purpose is not the promulgation of new policies, but the fair resolution of particular grievances arising under existing policies. To that end, all concerned should display a cooperative manner, solutions should be attempted between the parties involved, mediated rather than directed outcomes are to be sought, and solutions are to be sought at the lowest possible administrative level. Frivolous complaints are to be eschewed and discouraged. While those involved may seek assistance from advisors, these should be drawn from the College community where possible.

II. Any student who believes he or she has a grievance should meet as soon as possible with the faculty member(s) immediately involved.

If such a meeting results in a mutually acceptable solution; the matter shall be considered closed. If either party wishes to have a written statement of the outcome, the parties shall put the solution in writing, sign it, and each retain a copy.

III. If, however, a mutually acceptable disposition cannot be achieved, the student may present the matter in writing to the chairperson of the department in which the faculty member(s) is lodged administratively. The written statement must clearly specify (a) the nature of the complaint and (b) the remedy requested.

The department chairperson must handle the matter in accordance with departmentally determined procedures, if such have been approved by the proper University authorities. If there are no such procedures, the chairperson should proceed as follows:

A) After consultation with both the student and the faculty member(s) affected, either proceed to mediate the matter personally or assign it for mediation to one or more department members.

B) If the chairperson should choose to handle the matter personally, he/she should meet normally with the faculty member(s) involved and obtain a written answer to the grievance with a full explanation of the faculty member(s)’ position. After a full investigation, the chairperson should meet again with the faculty member(s) and student involved, either separately, or jointly, or both, in order to work out a settlement of the problem. If a settlement is reached, it is to be put in writing and signed by the chairperson and each of the parties, with each to retain a copy. If a settlement is not reached, the chairperson may conduct such further
proceedings, including a hearing for the taking of evidence, as he/she may determine would be helpful in resolving the issue(s). If, after such further proceedings, a mutually acceptable solution should emerge, it is to be put in writing and signed by the chairperson and each of parties, and each is to retain a copy. If no solution is reached, the chairperson shall prepare a written decision, and provide a copy of it to the student and the faculty member(s) involved.

(C) If the matter should be handled by a person or persons appointed by the chairperson, the individual or group shall proceed in exactly the same manner as specified for the chairperson in (B) above. However, copies of any written dispositions are to be furnished to the chairperson.

IV. A decision may be appealed by the student grievant to the Dean. The appeal must be in writing and must specify clearly (a) the nature of the grievance, (b) the remedy sought and (c) the reason or reasons why the proposed resolution emanating from step (III) above is not acceptable.

Upon receipt of the written appeal, the Dean or his designated representative(s), must meet with the chairperson, faculty member(s) and student involved, separately or jointly, to seek a solution to the issues. If such procedures produce an outcome mutually acceptable to the parties involved, it shall be put in writing, with each of the parties to receive a copy. If no such mutually acceptable outcome should be achieved, the Dean or his designated representative(s) shall gather all written statements and evidence accumulated to that point and shall conduct such further proceedings, including hearings, as may be necessary to reaching an ultimate disposition of the issues. If hearings are conducted, the faculty member(s) and student shall be entitled to such advisors as they wish. Insofar as possible, it is desirable that such advisors be drawn from the Boston College community. They may serve only as consultants during the hearings.

When the above process has been completed, any mutually acceptable solution reached shall be reduced to writing, and signed by all involved, with copies to be retained by the Dean, chairperson and each of the parties.

If no such solution should be reached, and if the proceedings shall have been conducted by designates of the Dean, they shall make written recommendations, with reasons, to the Dean for the disposition of the matter. After due consideration of such recommendations, the Dean shall finally convey his/her decision to the chairperson and the parties. The Dean’s decision shall be final.

In the event that the Dean shall have conducted all of the proceedings personally, he/she shall prepare a report based upon his/her inquiry and his/her decision in the matter. The report and the decision shall be conveyed to the chairperson and the parties. The Dean’s decision shall be final.