Resolution Pathways

The Purdue University Faculty Grievances (I.B.1) states, “. . . it is essential that the University maintain a climate that values Faculty and fosters prompt and fair resolution of their concerns and Grievances.”

TIMELINE

Written statement presented to the chair of Faculty Mediation Committee within 30 days from the date of alleged action/incident. See below for more details.

HOW IT WORKS

• To begin the Informal Grievance Resolution Process, the Initiator must file a written statement of concerns with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs within 30 Days from the date in which the Initiator first knew, or could reasonably be expected to know, of the alleged violation or within 30 Days from the most recent incident in a series of related incidents.
• To initiate the Formal Grievance Resolution Process, an Initiator must file a notice with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost, no later than 10 Days after receiving notification of the outcome of the informal proceedings. If the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost is a party to the Grievance, the Initiator must send the Notice to the Chancellor who will designate another University Faculty member or academic administrator to perform the Vice Chancellor’s duties assigned in this Formal Grievance Resolution Process.

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TIMELINE

Conduct complaints are investigated as they are received. Decisions in conduct cases must be issued within five business days of a disciplinary hearing or Community Standards Board panel meeting.

HOW IT WORKS

To initiate a report of a possible conduct violation, complete an online report form.

TIMELINE

Complaints are investigated as they are received

HOW IT WORKS

Students may request assistance from the Office of the Dean of Students regarding complaints about staff or faculty. ODOS does not investigate complaints but facilitates resolution with the parties involved and/or assists students in identifying supervisors with the authority to investigate and resolve complaints. To initiate a complaint and request ODOS assistance, complete an online complaint form.

TIMELINE

Appeals of academic integrity charges must be received by the Chair of the Academic Integrity Committee no later than 14 business days after the student is notified of the allegation by the instructor. Appeals must be screened by the Committee within 7 business days of receipt, and decided within 14 business days of screening.

Appeals of course grades must be received by the 21st calendar day from the start of classes of the semester session following the session in which the grade was given. A meeting between the student and instructor must take place within 14 calendar days of the appeal. A screening panel of the Grade Appeals Committee must review the case within 7 days of the meeting. The Appeals Panel must decide the case within fourteen calendar days of the receipt of the Screening Panel meeting.

HOW IT WORKS

The Office of the Dean of Students facilitates, but does not enforce, academic integrity policy and grade appeals policy.

Under the Academic Integrity Policy established by the PNW Faculty Senate, instructors have the authority to make determinations of academic integrity violations and sanctions on their own authority. Academic integrity violations are also violations of the student Code of Conduct. Students who wish to appeal an academic integrity violation may contact the Office of the Dean of Students for assistance with contact information for the Committee and in preparing the appeal.

Under the Grade Appeals Policy students may appeal a course grade given by an instructor. Grades on individual assignments may not be formally appealed unless they affect the course grade. Appeals must be directed to the Chair of the Grade Appeals Committee. Students who wish to appeal a grade may contact the Office of the Dean of Students for assistance with contact information for the Committee and in preparing the appeal.

TIMELINE

Student of concern reports are investigated as they are received.

HOW IT WORKS

To initiate a report of a student of concern, complete an online report form or contact the Dean of Students office. Student of Concern reports are evaluated by staff from the Office of the Dean of Students, contacted, and referred to appropriate resources, which may include the Counseling Center, PNW Access Center, or the Behavioral Intervention Team.

TIMELINE

Appeals of sanctions issued under the Classroom Civility Policy must be submitted within 24 hours after the notice of the sanction to the Office of the Dean of Students at dos@pnw.edu.

HOW IT WORKS

The Office of the Dean of Students serves to advise faculty and hears appeals of sanctions issued. ODOS also serves to assist students in understanding their rights under the policy and resolving conflicts informally. Faculty must serve students with two notices prior to taking action under the policy. If a third incident occurs after the second warning, faculty may petition the Department Head or Dean of the College to administratively withdraw the student from the course.

Types of Situations (Cont.)

Use of the term Harassment includes all forms of harassment, including Stalking, Racial Harassment and Sexual Harassment.

Systemic discrimination may occur when unequal treatment results from neutral institutional practices that continue the effect of past discrimination. Individual discrimination may result when a person is subjected to unequal treatment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, disability, status as a veteran, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Title IX prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual violence and all forms of sexual misconduct.

TIMELINE

To be properly filed, an Informal or Formal Complaint of Discrimination and/or Harassment (for non-Title IX matters) must be submitted within 120 calendar days from the most recent incident or 10 calendar days following termination of the Complainant’s employment with the University.  For Title IX matters, the University encourages prompt reporting.

HOW IT WORKS

Individuals can report concerns by visiting the Office of Institutional Equity website:

• Report an Incident
• Make an Appointment
• Contact the Anonymous Tipline

TIMELINE

Varies on a case-by-case basis.

HOW IT WORKS

PNW employees are encouraged to complete the online Reasonable Accommodation Request form in its entirety to begin the ADA Interactive Process. If you are unable to complete this form on your own, someone else may complete the form on your behalf.  For an overview of the ADA Interactive Process visit the website here.

TIMELINE

Written statement presented to associate vice chancellor for HR within 10 workdays of alleged action.

HOW IT WORKS

The informal process uses a mediation framework. A trained alternative dispute resolution specialist works with parties to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution. The goal is not to decide who is right or wrong but to help parties understand what’s behind the conflict and brainstorm options to resolve it. If parties cannot come to a resolution it may proceed to the formal process.

In the formal process, a committee of trained employees review the information, meets with the parties, and submits a report of findings and recommendations to the Chancellor, who will render the final decision.

TIMELINE

Best practice is to address the areas of concern as soon as it arises

HOW IT WORKS

Guidance assessed on a case-by-case basis. Recommendations are based on the nature, frequency, and severity of the issue or concern. The goal is to resolve conflict at the lowest possible level that provides the best opportunity for employee, leader, department, and university success.