The College maintains formal procedures for resolving complaints and grievances brought by students who believe a faculty member has acted improperly or in a manner inconsistent with the student’s customary academic expectations. These procedures have been posted here in draft format to update position titles and responsibilities for enactment of these procedures. Furthermore, the College’s policy aligns with University of Hawaii AP 9.920, Discrimination Complaint Procedures. AP 9.920 is posted online and, additionally, hard copies may be made available upon request from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

The following is a general summary of the steps in resolving an academic complaint. Students who have a complaint are urged to consult a Dean of Academic Affairs for more information if they wish to go beyond Step 2 below.

The WCC Academic Grievance Procedures protect students’ freedom of expression, right to orderly and fair grading and evaluation, and right to confidentiality.

Students who have a complaint must follow strict timelines to have their complaint resolved under this policy, as follows:

• Step 1: Within 14 days after a student has become aware of the problem, she or he must attempt to resolve the matter with the faculty member involved.
• Step 2: If the matter is not resolved, the student may discuss the matter with the faculty member’s Dean. This must be done within 7 days after the last scheduled meeting with the faculty member. The Dean has 7 days to resolve the complaint.
• Step 3: If the student is not satisfied with the results of Step 2, he or she may file a written complaint with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. This must be done within 7 days after notification by the Dean. The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs has 14 days to resolve the matter.
• Step 4: If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the student may file a written grievance with the Chairperson of the Academic Grievance Committee. This must be done within 7 days after notification by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Within 10 days, the Academic Grievance Committee must convene a hearing, detailed procedures for which are contained in the Policy Guidelines Manual. The Committee informs the Chancellor of its findings and recommendations within 5 days after the close of the hearing. The Chancellor’s decision is final within the University.

Students may also file complaints of discrimination with:
The Office of Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, Washington 98174-1099
Phone: 206-607-1600

Students having concerns about educational and civil rights matters may contact:
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Windward Community College
45-720 Kea‘ahala Road
Kane‘ohe, Hawai‘i 96744
Phone: 808-235-7466

Students with concerns about distance education programs or courses may contact the Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program at:
http://cca.hawaii.gov/hpeap/student-complaint-process/