Holmes Community College has an administrative procedure in place which is designed to receive, investigate, and resolve student complaints, whether academic or non-academic. Any student who wishes to make a formal complaint regarding a college program, a service of the college, an employee of the college, or any other individual or aspect of the college, must take the following steps:
- Discuss the problem with the faculty member, staff member, or administrator involved. Direct communication between the two parties usually resolves most of the problems.
- If informal efforts to resolve the problem are not productive, the complainant should then contact the appropriate counselor (Academic/Vocational), supervisor or administrator to help in processing the complaint if this becomes the only avenue to resolve the problem.
- If the complainant, at this point, wishes to file a formal complaint, he or she should express the nature of the complaint and all pertinent information in writing to the appropriate person. The appropriate person would be that individual in charge of the person or program in question. The college representative receiving the complaint will either handle the complaint personally or will refer it to the appropriate person for disposition. A response will be made to the complainant within 10 working days.
- If the student is not satisfied with the resolution of the grievance, that student may then appeal to the President in writing through the Academic Dean on academic matters or through the Dean of Students on disciplinary matters. The appeal to the President must be made within three (3) days of the previous decision. The President's decision will be final.
- Students who do not submit a written appeal by the appointed date forfeit any further consideration in this matter.
- No adverse action will be taken against a student for filing a complaint.
- All students will be suspended from all activities during the appeals process.