Charge: To serve as the committee to address appeals regarding modifications of
general services. The Disabilities Grievance Committee is a standing committee of the
university.
Membership: In the event the grievant is a student, membership of the committee is as
follows: the AA/EE Officer will serve as the non-voting chair, the director of DSS will
serve as a non-voting member, two (2) students, one selected by the Student
Government Association and the other selected from ACCESS, one (1) tenured or
tenure-track faculty member selected by the Faculty Senate, one (1) non-tenure-track
faculty member selected by the Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Senate, and one (1) staff
member selected by the Staff Senate. In the event the grievant is a faculty or staff
member, membership of the committee is as follows: the AA/EE Officer will serve as
the non-voting chair, the assistant vice president for human resources will serve as a
non-voting member, two (2) tenured or tenure-track faculty members selected by the
Faculty Senate, two (2) non-tenure-track faculty members selected by the Non-Tenure-
Track Faculty Senate, and two (2) staff members selected by the Staff Senate.
Procedure: (Adjustment and Credentials Committee, Graduate Council or Disabilities
Grievance Committee)
A. Upon receipt of an appeal and supporting documentation from the grievant, the
AA/EE Officer will forward the appeal, if under section one (1) or two (2), to the
dean of undergraduate or graduate studies. The respective dean will forward the
appeal and charge of responsibility to the grievant and appropriate university
official(s). If the appeal concerns an issue under section three (3), the AA/EE
Officer will forward the appeal to the director of DSS or assistant vice president for
human resources. The director or assistant vice president will forward the appeal
and charge of responsibility to the grievant and appropriate university official(s).
The director or assistant vice president will thereafter call a meeting of the
appropriate committee/council within ten (10) working days of receipt of the appeal.
B. Four (4) members of the committee/council must be present to constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business. Decisions must be reached by a majority of the
members present. The chair may cast a deciding vote in the event of a tie. The
number of yes, no, and abstention votes will be recorded without designating the
members’ respective vote.
C. Throughout the proceedings the grievant may be accompanied by an advisor, who
may or may not be an attorney. The university legal counsel may be present. All
advisors shall act only in an advisory capacity and shall not question witnesses,
address the committee/council, or otherwise actively participate in the proceedings.
D. Upon review of the appeal, the grievant and appropriate university official(s) may
present witnesses and documentary evidence. Any evidence and/or oral testimony
and such documentation, if relevant, will be accepted by the committee/council.
The chair may rule on the admissibility of evidence and on the relevance of
questions. The responsibility for questioning witnesses, securing evidence, and
determining the order of proof will be vested in the committee/council. Strict judicial
rules of evidence will not be applied. The committee/council may appoint an expert
to make an independent evaluation of the documentation provided. The expert
may be present at the meeting to interpret the results of the evaluation.
E. The grievant and appropriate university official(s) may be present at any time
testimony is presented and to receive copies of any evidence considered by the
committee/council.
F. A written record of the minutes of the proceedings and the recommendation of the
committee/council will be presented to the provost or appropriate vice president
within five (5) working days of the final meeting of the committee/council with copies
to the grievant and appropriate university official(s).
G. The provost or appropriate vice president will render the final decision after
considering the recommendation of the committee/council. Notification will be
forwarded to the parties.
Confidentiality and Procedures for Handling Confidential Information:
Individuals involved in the processes described in the policy shall, to the greatest degree
possible, ensure the confidentiality of information received. Information regarding an
individual’s disability is confidential.
When an individual provides documentation he/she will complete a form indicating consent
to release specific information to individuals with legitimate interests relative to the appeal.
The information is not to be shared with any individual beyond those directly involved in the
proceedings. At the conclusion of the matter, all documentation is to be returned to the
director of DSS or assistant vice president for human resources.
Membership:
Permanent
AA/EE Officer
Dir. of Disability Support Services Crystal Hill
Assoc. VP for Human Resources Graham Gillis
SGA Appointment Brittany Taylor
ACCESS Appointment
Faculty Senate Appointment
Ray Ogar (tenure track) 2013
Alex Fayman (tenure track) 2013
Loi Booher (nontenure track) 2013
Jennifer Whitehead 2013
Staff Senate Appointments
Patricia Smith 2013
Jenny Ruud 2013
Meetings: on call
Reports to: Provost or appropriate Vice President
Page last updated: 11/7/2012