Pursuant to Fielding policy: A student complaint/grievance is an allegation by a student that there has been, in an individual case, an arbitrary or discriminatory application of, or failure to act pursuant to, the policies of Fielding Graduate University (specifically within the School of ELC) in relation to students. To start this procedure, the student sends a formal written request to a designated academic or administrative officer for which specific remedies are requested.

The parties to a grievance are the student filing the grievance and the person(s) against whom the grievance is filed.

Definitions
An academic complaint/grievance is one involving faculty members, associate deans, the program director of a particular program, or the Dean of a particular program. Faculty evaluations and grading of student work are based upon the substantive judgment of the faculty and are not subject to a complaint/grievance.

An administrative complaint/grievance is one involving staff of Fielding Graduate University.

The informal complaint/grievance procedure within the School of ELC is the process a student initiates prior to filing a formal grievance with the University. The student initiating this process must be the individual against whom the alleged infraction has occurred.

A calendar day is any day of the week. For purposes of computing the time periods specified under steps 1 - 3 below, if the last day of this time period falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the last day will be construed as the Monday following that Saturday or Sunday. If the last day falls on a holiday, the last day will be construed as the next regular calendar day following the end of the holiday time period. If the next regular calendar day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the last day will be the following Monday.

ELC INFORMAL PROCEDURE FOR FILING ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS

Specific Scope
This procedure is designed for dealing with issues relating to knowledge areas/courses; comprehensive assessments; dissertations and dissertation committees; cluster activities; mentor relationships; satisfactory academic progress; ELC sessions; and related organizational work.

1. The student raises the issue of concern with the faculty, administrator, student or other person(s) involved. This should be done within 14 calendar days after the student becomes aware there allegedly has been an arbitrary or discriminatory application of, or failure to act pursuant to, the policies of Fielding Graduate University (specifically within the School of ELC).
2. If the issue is not resolved between the parties within 14 calendar days, the student may contact, in writing or email, the appropriate ELC Associate Dean (AD) or Program Director (for Academic matters contact the AD for Academic Affairs; for student services matters contact the AD for Student Affairs; for matters within masters or professional development programs contact the Associate Dean/Program Director).
3. The AD/Program Director will mediate the dispute, within 14 calendar days after being contacted by the student, with the purpose of finding a resolution. During this process, the student may select another person (no faculty, staff or administrator) to assist them in preparing for and presenting their position at the mediation.
4. If the issue is not resolved, the student may take the matter to the University's formal grievance procedure within 14 calendar days after the mediation.

Related Policies

• Student Complaint and Grievance Procedure

Policy Posted 10/18/2007