Definitions: A “grievance” shall mean a complaint that has been filed by a grievant alleging a violation of student rights or responsibilities as outlined in the Student Handbook. The alleged violation may have occurred at SH/BHSON, its clinical affiliations, Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, or its immediate grounds, or at a SH/BHSON-sponsored event. A “grievant” shall mean a student or groups of students filing the grievance.
Purpose: A student with a concern related to rights and responsibilities as listed in the Student Handbook which has not been resolved to their satisfaction has the opportunity to have this concern reviewed by a higher authority. The primary purpose of this procedure is to secure prompt and equitable resolution of a grievance. Customary channels of communication shall be used wherever feasible in seeking clarification of questions or concerns. Every effort shall be made to maintain confidentiality at each level of the procedure.
Procedure:
Step 1: If a grievant has a concern with faculty or staff, they should attempt to resolve the conflict between them. Mutual times should be set aside for communication. The grievant shall first present their grievance orally and informally to the person against whom a grievance exists. This should be done within five school days from the date of the grievable act or from the date that the grievant knew of the grievable act. If the grievant is satisfied with the outcome of this step, the grievance is considered resolved.
Step 2: If the grievant is not satisfied with the outcome of Step 1, the process proceeds to Step 2. The grievant must present, in writing, a statement of the grievance, including all of the relevant facts, to either the Associate Dean within five school days of the Step 1 meeting. Once the written statement of the grievance is received, the formal grievance process begins. The Associate Dean will discuss the grievance with the grievant, gather other relevant information from those involved, and will provide a written response to the grievant and SH/BHSON agent involved within five school days following discussion with the grievant. If the grievant is satisfied with the outcome of this step, the grievance is considered resolved.
Step 3: If the grievant is not satisfied with the outcome of Step 2, the process proceeds to Step 3. A written statement of the grievance, including all of the relevant facts, must be submitted to the chairperson of the Grievance Review Committee. Submission of the written statement may be delivered by hand, emailed, or traditional mail. Upon receipt of a formal grievance by the Grievance Committee chairperson, a Grievance Review Board shall be convened. The Grievance Review Board then has the responsibility to investigate the alleged violation as presented in the grievance and to recommend resolution.
Step 4: If the grievant is not satisfied with the outcome of Step 3, the process proceeds to Step 4. The grievant may file a petition of appeal with the Dean within five school days following notification of the Grievance Review Board’s decision. Appeal letters must include a rationale, of one or two paragraphs in length, outlining the reasons for the appeal. The Dean may schedule a meeting with the grievant, their support person, and the faculty, staff, or administration member involved. The purpose of this meeting is to attempt to resolve the grievance. A written decision is required, normally within thirty (30) days, on any grievance presented to the Dean. When the Dean rules on an appeal, the case shall be considered closed.
Other: Filing a grievance in accordance with the procedure set forth above shall not affect the student’s right to file complaints with appropriate state and federal agencies or courts.
All records of Grievance Review Board hearings and of the final determination in each case shall be confidentially maintained by the chairperson of the Grievance Committee for five (5) years in a private secured file or electronically.
Chairperson of the Grievance Committee to the appropriate administrative officer to ensure timely adjudication.
All written responses shall be served by delivering, in hand, by return-receipt requested email or by the mailing of a certified letter to the grievant addressed to his/her residence as recorded in the office of the Registrar.
Specific policies related to the conduct of members of the SH/BHSON community are outlined in the Student Handbook. Subsequent changes in policy are sent to students via email as addendums to the current year’s Student Handbook.
Grievance Review Committee:
Faculty Shall consist of 5 SH/BHSON faculty members appointed by the F.O. at the August meeting.
Grievance Review Board: Shall consist of 11 members
5 faculty (from the grievance committee)
6 SH/BHSON SNA members:
General Grievance Review Committee/ Grievance Review Board Procedures
Disability Discrimination Grievance Procedure
Purpose: The following is the official mechanism by which disabled persons may file a grievance with SH/BHSON (the “School”).
Non-Associates (other than applicants for employment): Any student who believes that they have a legitimate complaint concerning accessibility or services, architectural barriers, or other situations covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act is urged to bring it to SH/BHSON’s attention via this grievance procedure. Any such grievance should be initiated within 15 days of the incident giving rise to it. Depending upon the nature of the complaint, the grievant should follow Step I as follows:
Step I – Contact the Dean, who shall attempt to resolve the grievance in a fair and timely manner.
Should the attempt to resolve the issue at Step I fail, the grievance may be advanced to Step II, within five days of the Step I response. The designated representative shall assist the grievant in pursuing the matter further by assisting the grievant in submitting their written complaint and notifying SH/BHSON’s compliance officer that a Section 504 grievance has been received.
Step II – The compliance officer shall forward the grievance and their findings, together with any additional information provided by the grievant, in writing, to Dean. Normally within seven days, the Dean shall make a final decision, based on all available information, and will forward their final written decision to the grievant, normally within 45 days of the original written grievance.
Appointment of Compliance Officer: The Coordinator of Counseling and Student Services is appointed the SH/BHSON’s compliance officer.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973: A grievant may also have rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 39 U.S.C. 794, which is administered by the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services. Regulations have been promulgated by the Department, 45 C.F.R. Part 84, and further information may be obtained from the Department.
A grievant may also have right under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101-12212, which is administered by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Justice. Regulations have been promulgated by the EEOC, 29 CFR 1630 and the Department of Justice, 28 CFR §36, which address specific subject areas. Utilization of this grievance procedure shall not preclude any grievant who has a right to do so from filing a complaint under Section 504 with the Department or under the Americans with Disabilities Act with the EEOC or courts.
SH/BHSON takes very seriously students’ complaints and concerns. Complaints should be resolved at the campus level. However, after completing the SH/BHSON Grievance process, if a student feels that their complaint has not been resolved, per Federal Student Regulations CFR 34, Section 600.9 (a)(1) and 668.43 (b), the student may file a complaint with:
Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
Office Of the General Counsel
One Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 994-6950
Fax (617)727-0955