Platt College is Becoming Part of Concordia University, St. Paul

Revision Responsibility: President/CEO

Revision Executive Office: President?CEO

Duties of Grievance Committee:

1. Maintain confidentiality before, during, and after the Grievance Committee session.
2. Listen, observe, and evaluate the facts as presented.
3. Objectively deliberate to reach a majority decision.
4. Propose a course of action as needed.

Procedure:

1. This grievance procedure provides a fair, consistent review of the facts in accordance with Platt College's policies and procedures.
2. Composition of Grievance Committee:

A)  2 faculty members who is not directly involved in the incident or disciplinary action (1 vote each)

B)  2 staff members who is not directly involved in the incident or disciplinary action (1 vote each)

C) 1 Administrator who is not directly involved in the incident or disciplinary action.  Tie Breaker Vote only- Serves as Chairperson and Timekeeper

3. Sequence of Grievance Committee Session

A. Grievance Committee convenes at designated time and location.

B. Introduction of Grievance Committee members as facilitated by Chairperson.

C. Confidentiality agreements signed and collected by Chairperson.

D. Reading of the Platt College Grievance Procedure by Chairperson to all committee members with an opportunity for clarification or questions directed to the Chairperson as needed.

E. Chairperson reads the:

• Statement of Charge provided by the College outlining the decision, determination, or incident resulting in the Grievance.
• The information filed by the Grievant.

F. Platt College employee(s) who is involved in the decision, determination, or incident or investigation of the decision, determination, or incident leading to the Grievance presents the college's position and any supporting documentation regarding the Grievance to the Grievance Committee (20 minutes allowed).

G. Grievance Committee Members have the opportunity to ask questions or receive clarification from Platt College employee(s) (20 minutes allowed).

H. Platt College employee(s) provides his or her own closing statement (3 minutes allowed).

I. Platt College employee(s) is excused for remainder of the session. 

J. Grievant presents his or her position on the decision, determination, or incident leading to the Grievance and any supporting documentation to the Grievance Committee (20 minutes allowed).

K. Grievance Committee members have the opportunity to ask questions or receive clarification from Grievant (20 minutes allowed).

L. Grievant provides his or her own closing statement (3 minutes allowed).

M. Grievant is excused for remainder of session.

N. If deemed necessary, the Grievance Committee may request additional witnesses, documentation, or information to be provided.  Statements by additional witnesses summoned by the Grievance Committee will be limited to no more than 20 minutes each for explanations and questions.  In these instances, the Chairperson is responsible for communicating the name of the individual(s) or specific documents needed to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.  Any individual(s) that are called for additional information will complete a confidentiality agreement before entry into the Grievance Committee session. 

O. Committee deliberation is Closed Session (2 hours allowed).

P. Majority Vote

• 3 votes needed to carry decision

Q. Once a Grievance Committee is convened, a decision must be rendered by the Committee by 5:00 PM MST that day.

Committee Options:

1. College's action unsubstantiated with decision or determination rescinded.
2. Sustantiated Finding

A. College's action upheld as presented; or

B. Recommednation of alternative action with specific consequences constistent with the committee's determined level of violation.

     3.  Decision is immediately forwarded to the President in writing by Chairperson.

     4.  Grievant is informed in writing within 5 days of the Committee's Decision by the President or designated agent

When a Grievant's legal counsel is present:

1. No recording of any type of Grievance Committee session is allowed.
2. The presence of Grievant's legal counsel at an Academic or General Grievance Committee session is allowed by Platt College as a courtesy to the Grievant.
3. Legal Counsel may not speak on the behalf of or for the Grievant and is present in the capacity of an observer only.
4. Legal Counsel for Grievant may not, at any time, question Grievance Committee members, Platt College employees, or other individuals summoned by the Grievance Committee.
5. Questions regarding Platt College Grievance Committee procedures may be directed to the legal counsel of Platt College at any time, but must be done in a room separate from the presence of the Grievance Commitee members.  Allotted time frames for each procedural step of the grievance process will not be stopped due to legal counsel sidebars.
6. Platt College may choose for its legal counsel to be present at the Grievance Committee session.  The role of legal counsel for the college also will be limited to procedural questions and advising the college.  Legal counsel for Platt College will not participate in the Committee's deliberation. 

Revised: August 4, 2009, Revised July 9, 2014 to reflect revised time frame under Committee Options, Number 4, J-Q Added Under Sequence of Grievance Hearing