Grievance Policy

It is the policy of Lakeview College of Nursing that all students shall be treated fairly and be free from discrimination and harassment.  Lakeview College of Nursing will strictly enforce this policy and diligently investigate any violation of a student’s rights.  This Grievance Policy is the formal method for students and staff to bring rights violations to the College’s attention so that they may be investigated and resolved.

1. Grievances may arise from any violation of a student’s rights.  This policy applies to complaints and concerns arising from any such violation, including but not limited to:
   1. Unfair academic treatment, including:
      1. capricious grading
      2. unfair or improperly conducted disciplinary proceedings
      3. unfair academic dismissal
   2. Discrimination and/or harassment based upon:
      1. disabilities
      2. ethnicity
      3. age
      4. gender
      5. sexual orientation.
      6. religion
   3. Improper conduct, including:
      1. sexual harassment
      2. sexual misconduct
      3. sexual assault
      4. bullying
      5. retaliation
2. The Grievance Policy does not apply to the following academic and nonacademic areas of concern. These areas are covered by the Lakeview College of Nursing Student Complaint Policy, which can be found in the Student Handbook:
   1. Admission and transfer credit
   2. Academic Progress and Program Requirements
   3. Privacy Information
   4. Tuition and Fees
   5. Financial Aid
   6. Library and/or Technology
   7. Other Academic Policies
   8. Courses and Course Syllabi
3. The Grievance Policy does not apply to grade changes. See Grade Appeal Policy.

1. Informal Resolution.  Students who believe they have been a recipient of discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment are encouraged to talk with the offending faculty or staff member to discuss and attempt to resolve their concerns informally. Please note, however, that students are not required to attempt informal resolution before filing a grievance.
2. A student who believes his or her rights have been violated shall complete and submit an Online Grievance form, available at the Lakeview College of Nursing website, within five (5) calendar days of the violation.  In order to initiate an effective investigation the following information will be needed:
   1. Exact nature of grievance
   2. Supporting information that a problem exists
   3. Suggested remediation or resolution to the issue
3. A Lakeview College of Nursing faculty member or employee who is made aware of any incident of discrimination, harassment, or improper conduct, shall complete and submit an Online Incident Form, available at the Lakeview College of Nursing website, within 48 hours of learning of the incident.

1. Upon receipt of a properly completed Grievance or Incident Form, Lakeview College of Nursing shall assign the Grievance to a designated investigator who shall diligently investigate the complaint or report.  The investigator shall commence his or her investigation within five (5) calendar days of receipt of the Grievance Form or Incident Report.  Any incident involving sexual violence will be investigated within 12 hours of submission of on-line incident form.
   1. The precise investigation procedure may vary based upon the nature of the complaint or incident, but each investigation will include the following actions by the investigator:
   2. Reviewing the written complaint or incident report.
   3. Gathering of information.
   4. Interviewing the parties involved and/or potential witnesses.
   5. Reviewing relevant documentation and other evidence.
   6. Reviewing applicable Lakeview College of Nursing policies and procedures.
2. The investigation shall be concluded within twenty (20) calendar days from its commencement.  If extraordinary circumstances require more time to complete the investigation, the investigator shall notify the Assistant to the President, in writing, before the original twenty (20) day period has expired.  Upon written approval from the Assistant to the President, the investigator may be granted an additional fourteen (14) days to complete the investigation.  The complaining/reporting party shall be notified in writing of any extension granted.
3. If, after conducting a thorough and diligent investigation, it is clear to the Investigator that no rights have been violated, the Investigator may close the investigation.  In that event, the Investigator shall provide written notice of closure to all parties within three (3) days of closing the investigation.

1. For grievances involving academic violations of student rights:
   1. The Investigator shall notify the Dean of the results of the completed investigation, including all findings and documentation.
   2. The Dean shall make a decision as to whether the student’s academic rights were violated.
   3. In the event the Dean determines that there has been an academic violation or violations of student rights, the Dean will determine and implement the appropriate remedies.
   4. The Dean shall then notify the Complaining Student and any accused persons, in writing, of the Dean’s decision, including any remedies to be implemented, within fourteen (14) calendar days of the completion of the investigation.
2. For grievances involving complaints of discrimination, harassment, or misconduct:
   1. The Student Affairs Committee will meet to review the investigator’s findings and documentation within three (3) calendar days of receiving said materials.
   2. If, based upon its review of the investigator’s findings and documentation, the Student Affairs Committee determines that there is reason to believe discrimination, harassment, or misconduct may have occurred, then the Student Affairs Committee shall schedule a hearing, where it shall consider all relevant evidence including the testimony of all parties and witnesses to the Grievance.
      1. The Chair of the Student Affairs Committee shall notify all parties and witnesses of the date, time, and location of the Hearing, not less than seventy-two (72) hours before the time the Hearing is to commence.  Notification shall be deemed properly given when sent by properly addressed mail or email. Notification will include all to be in attendance.
      2. At the hearing, any persons accused in the Grievance shall be given the opportunity to give testimony, and may invite witnesses to testify on their behalf.
      3. The rules of evidence which would ordinarily apply in a court of law shall not apply to this Hearing.  The Student Affairs Committee may consider any evidence which it believes to be relevant and reliable.
      4. A recording of the Hearing shall be made.  The recording shall be the sole property of the Lakeview College of Nursing, shall be kept strictly confidential, and shall not be subject to review or transcription by any party.
   3. Following the hearing, the Student Affairs Committee shall meet, and shall make a determination as to whether discrimination occurred, and if so, the Student Affairs Committee shall apply any and all appropriate sanctions and/or craft an appropriate remedy.
   4. If the Student Affairs Committee determines that discrimination, harassment, or misconduct has occurred then Vicky Welge, Title IX Coordinator, will ensure that:
      1. The discrimination, harassment, or misconduct is stopped.
      2. The sanctions and other remedies, as determined by the Student Affairs Committee, are implemented.
      3. Prevention efforts are implemented.
   5. Whether or not a hearing is conducted, the Student Affairs Committee shall notify all parties to the Grievance of its decision, including any and all sanctions and remedies to be implemented, within three (3) calendar days of reaching its decision.
3. Appeal. Any party involved in the Grievance may appeal the decision of the Dean, or the decision of the Student Affairs Committee, by completing and submitting an Appeal Form to the Office of the College President within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of the decision.  The appeal form may be requested at the Office of the College President.  Upon receipt of a properly completed Appeal Form, the College President may accept or overturn the decision of the Dean or Committee, may accept, reject, add, or modify any sanction or remedy imposed, or may remand the grievance for further investigation, review, or re-hearing.  The following information will be needed to complete an appeal:
   1. Exact nature of appeal
   2. Supporting information that a wrong decision has been made by the Student Affairs Committee.
   3. Suggested remediation or resolution to the issue
   In any such event, the decision of the College President is final.  The College President shall notify all parties to the Grievance of the result of the Appeal within seven (7) calendar days after receiving the Appeal Form.  This grievance process is concluded.
4. Students will not be subject to adverse action as a result of filing a Grievance, or participation in the investigation or hearing of a Grievance.  Retaliation against any student due to any involvement in the filing or investigation of a Grievance is expressly prohibited.
5. Any student not satisfied with the disposition of the Grievance process may contact:
   1. Illinois Board of Higher Education
      IBHE online complaint system at http://complaints.ibhe.org/, accessible through the agency’s homepage (www.ibhe.org). The IBHE online complaint site includes step-by-step instructions and key information about the complaint process.
   2. Office for Civil Rights
      U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
      233 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 240
      Chicago, IL 60601
      Phone (800) 368-1019
      Fax (312) 886-1807
      TDD (800) 537-7697