Purpose
The Grievance Procedure for Discriminatory Practice is intended to provide students, applicants for employment, and employees of Indian Hills Community College a process to address a grievance of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age (employment), sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential parental, family, or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices.
Audience
The IHCC Grievance Procedure for Discriminary Pratice applies to students, applicants for employment, and employees of Indian Hills Community College.
Policy
Level 1 – A person with a grievance of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age (employment), sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential parental, family, or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices may first discuss it with their instructor, immediate supervisor, administrator, or the person most directly involved in order to resolve it informally. If a resolution is achieved, the grievant should complete the electronic form on the IHCC website with the appropriate documentation. Should the grievant not be comfortable addressing the grievance with the person(s) directly involved or they are unsatisfied with the result of the Level 1 discussions, they may proceed to Level 2. Informal resolution will only be pursued when both parties voluntarily agree to informal resolution. Any party may request the complaint be handled under the formal complaint process at any time. In no event will informal resolution be used in cases of sexual assault/abuse.
Level 2 – If the grievance is not resolved at Level 1 and the grievant wishes to pursue it further they may formalize it by completing the electronic form on the IHCC website. Complaints involving students are directed to the Executive Dean, Student Development. Complaints involving faculty, staff, and applicants for employment are directed to the Director, Human Resources. Upon receipt of a complaint, an investigator will be assigned to promptly and reasonably investigate the allegations in the complaint. If the investigator is the respondent, a witness, or otherwise has a conflict of interest in a particular case, an alternate investigator will investigate. The investigator will notify the respondent of the complaint that has been filed. The investigator will interview the parties and any witnesses, and collect and review any evidence submitted. IHCC employees and students are expected to fully cooperate in any investigation. Confidentiality will be respected to the extent possible consistent with legal obligations. During the pendency of the investigation, a safety plan may be implemented to provide protective measures as needed.
IHCC will make every reasonable effort to process a complaint to conclusion within 60 days of receipt. However, extenuating circumstances may alter this timeline. The parties will be informed regarding the process of the investigation throughout the complaint process. A final written decision will be supplied to the grievant and respondent at the conclusion of the investigation.
This procedure in no way denies the right of the grievant to file a formal complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, the Federal Office of Civil Rights, or the Equal Opportunity Commission for meditation or rectification of civil rights grievances, or to seek private counsel for complaints alleging discrimination. No person filing a grievance will be subjected to coercion or retaliation for filing a grievance.