Student Grievance Procedure
Student Grievance Procedure
White Earth Tribal & Community College provides students with a clear process for addressing concerns and seeking a fair and timely resolution. A student grievance is a concern about treatment or circumstances related to your education that you believe are unfair, inappropriate, discriminatory, or inconsistent with WETCC policies or procedures. Sexual harassment and sexual misconduct concerns follow WETCC’s Sexual Harassment and Title IX policies and are not handled through this grievance process. WETCC prohibits retaliation against anyone who uses the student grievance process.
Step 1: Try to resolve the concern informally
Whenever possible, students should first try to resolve the concern directly.
- For an Academic Concern
Begin by speaking with your instructor. If the issue is not resolved, follow the academic chain of command up to the academic chair. - For Another Concern Involving an Employee
Begin by speaking with the employee involved. If the issue is not resolved, follow the appropriate chain of command up to the director level.
If you are unsure where to begin or whom to contact, your academic advisor or Student Services manager can help you identify the appropriate next step.
If the informal process does not resolve the concern, you may submit a formal grievance.
Step 2: Submit a written grievance
A formal grievance must be submitted within five business days of becoming aware of the events that led to the grievance.
Send your written grievance to the appropriate person:
- Grievance involving a student: Student Services manager
- Grievance involving a faculty member: Academic chair
- Grievance involving another employee: Human Resources
- Grievance involving the President: WETCC Board of Trustees chairperson
If you need help preparing or submitting your written statement, contact the Student Services manager, academic chair, or Human Resources.
Step 3: Review and proposed resolution
The person responsible for reviewing the grievance will determine whether the complaint has merit and, when appropriate, work with the individuals involved toward a resolution. WETCC will seek a resolution within 10 business days of receiving the grievance statement. If a resolution is reached, it will be documented in writing. If you are not satisfied with the proposed resolution, you may request a grievance hearing.
Step 4: Grievance hearing
If a hearing is granted, WETCC will convene a three-person grievance panel
consisting of:
- One administrator
- One full-time faculty member
- One full-time staff member
The employee responsible for the original grievance review cannot serve on the panel.
The hearing will generally be scheduled within 10 business days after the hearing is granted.
During the hearing:
- You may present relevant information, evidence, and witnesses.
- The other party may also present evidence and witnesses.
- Each party must provide the other party with a list of witnesses and
evidence at least five business days before the hearing. - You may bring one support person. The support person may attend but may
not testify or participate in the hearing. - Legal counsel does not participate in the grievance hearing.
- The hearing is closed to individuals who are not part of the proceeding.
- The panel may ask questions or request additional evidence.
The panel makes its decision by majority vote.
Step 5: Written decision
The grievance panel will submit its written decision to the responsible employee within five business days after the hearing closes.
After review, the responsible employee will provide the written decision to the student within five business days of receiving the panel’s decision. The panel’s final decision concludes the WETCC grievance process.
Additional Complaint Option
Students may also file certain complaints with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
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