A. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide MSCC students with a mechanism for lodging and resolving grievances. Students should read the policy and procedure carefully and seek advice from the Student Services Department or a member of the teaching staff if they are unsure of the process

 

B. Policy and Philosophy

t is the conviction of Mid-South Christian College that its students have the right to competent classroom instruction and an environment free from disruption. They have the right to withdraw from instruction and receive prorated refunds in accordance with the stated refund policies as detailed in the College catalog. Students also have the right to due process when they feel they have a grievance

 

C. Definition

A grievance is here defined as a perceived injustice or source of distress that serves as grounds for complaint. Grievances addressed by this policy may include personal issues such as sexual harassment, theft, abuse, fraud, and extreme interpersonal conflict. Examples of grievances may also be of an academic or institutional nature such as dissatisfaction with the educational services provided by the college, disputes about tuition and fees, experiences of discrimination, dissatisfaction with the physical facilities, and misrepresentation of facts regarding any aspect of the college’s public image. This policy and procedure applies to any academic or non-academic matter, which causes a student serious concern or distress in relation to their studies or in relation to their student life experience

 

D. Procedures

1. Students are strongly urged to first attempt to resolve the issue themselves before making a formal complaint. The offended person should go to the person who has committed the offense and attempt to rectify the situation in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-17. In making the decision to carry his or her complaint to the next level, the student should consider the fact that all complaints brought to the office of Student Services will remain a permanent record of the college and any complaint that may pertain to activities of a criminal nature will be referred to local authorities for investigation and possible prosecution

2. Students wishing to file a formal complaint should contact the Director of Student Services (3097 Knight Road, Memphis, TN, 38118; Phone: 901-375-4400, Ext. 108). Complaints must be submitted in writing and must include the date of the incident, names of those involved, and a short description of what happened. The complaint should be submitted to the Director of Student Services as soon as possible and no later than 60 calendar days after the incident that provoked it

3. The Director of Student Services will investigate the relevant facts regarding the issue and, within fifteen (15) calendar days of receiving the complaint, will render a decision regarding any response the college will make to the student’s grievance

4. If the aggrieved student is not satisfied with the decision of the Director of Student Services, he or she can appeal that decision by submitting a formal appeal request to the Office of Student Services. The Director of Student Services will then organize a Student Grievance Committee and refer the complaint to that committee

5. The Student Grievance Committee (SGC) is an ad hoc committee formed to hear, and attempt to resolve, student grievances of a non-academic nature. The Student Grievance Committee will be comprised of the Director of Student Services (chair), a faculty representative, and two student representatives who will be appointed by the Director of Student Services to address the student’s grievance. Complaints that are academic in nature should be directed to the Office of the Academic Dean. If a member of the SGC was involved in the dispute, the President will appoint a replacement who is not employed in the administrative office or academic division with which the complaint takes issue

6. Upon review of issues related to the complaint, the SGC will conduct an investigation, as may be appropriate, and make a recommendation concerning actions that may be taken to help the student come to a satisfactory resolution. The SGC’s response will be communicated in writing to all involved parties within fifteen (15) calendar days after the appeal was filed

7. If the student feels that his or her grievance has not been resolved by the SGC, he or she may appeal to the President of Mid-South Christian College within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the SGC response. After reviewing the case, the President will either grant or deny the student’s appeal, notifying the student of his decision within two (2) business days after receiving the appeal

8. If the President has granted the appeal, he will meet with the student within seven (7) calendar days after approval of the appeal to discuss the complaint and possible resolution

9. Within seven (7) calendar days after the meeting, the President will respond in writing with a final resolution of the complaint

10. If the student is still not satisfied with the college’s resolution of the issue, he or she may make a formal appeal to the Board of Trustees (BOT). Such an appeal must be filed in writing and given to the President who will add it to the Agenda of the next BOT meeting. During that meeting, the BOT will render a decision regarding the college’s response to the student’s grievance This decision will be communicated to the student within the seven (7) calendar days following the conclusion of the meeting of the BOT

11. At any time, students may register their concerns with either or both of the following supervising institutions:

    1. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0830. Telephone: 615-741-3605

    2. The Association for Biblical Higher Education, 5575 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 26, Orlando, FL 32822-1781, Telephone: 407-207-0808

12. All complaints will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law and every effort will be made to assure that no adverse action will be taken against the student filing the complaint. The college will take affirmative action to ensure that such behavior is not tolerated. Any student, faculty, or staff of MSCC who is proven guilty of harassing or otherwise punishing a student because he or she has filed a formal grievance complaint will be disciplined up to and including dismissal and the loss of any accrued benefits