This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff. It also covers grievances involving contractors or third parties associated with the College. It excludes complaints covered by other internal procedures.
A grievance is a formal complaint alleging a violation, misapplication, or discriminatory enforcement of college policy or procedure. It must contain a substantial issue and not merely reflect personal dissatisfaction.
Academic judgment itself is not subject to grievance.
All grievance proceedings are confidential and restricted to those with a legitimate need to know. Retaliation against any participant is strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action.
Students may not publicize grievance matters—including names, decisions, or details—via any medium. Violations may lead to dismissal.
Step 1: Direct Discussion
Grievant must attempt to resolve the matter directly with the other party within 14 days of the incident.
Step 2: Appeal to College President
If unresolved, a written request should be submitted to the President or if the grievance is against the President, a designee within 5 business days. The President or their alternate may recommend resolution or declare the grievance lacks merit.
Step 3: Mediation
If still unresolved, the Grievant may request mediation within 5 business days. Mediation will involve all parties and be coordinated by the President (or designee). This suspends the process for up to 30 days.
Step 1: Filing a Formal Grievance
Must be submitted in writing within 5 business days of failed mediation. The complaint should include:
Step 2: Grievance Hearing Panel Formation
Within 14 days, the President (or designee) appoints a five-member Hearing Panel and notifies key personnel. To ensure fairness, the President may include employees from Pierce Mortuary Colleges, Inc. or their institutions.
Step 3: Initial Review by Panel
The Panel determines if the complaint qualifies under the policy. If not, a written decision is issued. If so, a formal hearing is scheduled.
Step 4: Hearing Process
Step 5: Final Decision
The President (or designee) reviews the recommendation and issues a final decision within 14 days.
If the panel finds the issue non-grievable, the Grievant may appeal to the President or designee within 5 business days. The President’s or designee’s decision is final.
If either party contests the hearing outcome, they may appeal to the President or designee within 5 business days. The final written decision will be issued within 14 days.
Grievances involving off-campus or online individuals may be resolved through virtual means (e.g., Microsoft Teams). Coordination rests with the President or a designee.
All steps must follow the specified timelines. Extensions may be granted due to academic calendars or exceptional circumstances, subject to Presidential approval.
If grievance is not resolved through the procedures outlined above, the matter shall be submitted to binding arbitration. The resulting decision will be final, binding, and not subject to appeal, except in cases involving good faith applications for injunctive relief, which may be brought before a court.
All parties agree that any dispute related to this policy will be arbitrated in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Each party will bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees.
A panel of three arbitrators will conduct the arbitration at a location mutually agreed upon by the Grievant and the Institution, within 25 miles of the Institution’s physical location. The Grievant and the Institution will each select one arbitrator. A third arbitrator will be jointly agreed upon by legal counsel for both parties.
This section applies to all students enrolled in distance education courses under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). These students are entitled to specific complaint procedures outlined under SARA policies, in addition to the College’s standard grievance process.
1. Institutional Resolution Required First
All students enrolled in SARA-covered distance education must exhaust the College’s internal grievance procedures outlined in this policy before elevating complaints to external SARA bodies.
2. Institutional Policy Access Points
To ensure accessibility and transparency, Pierce Mortuary Colleges, Inc. will publish its full grievance procedures in the following locations:
3. External SARA Complaint Resources
If a distance education student’s grievance is not resolved satisfactorily at the institutional level, they may file a complaint with the SARA portal agency using the following:
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