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(Consumer Information Disclosure)
Student Complaint Policy
IECC is committed to providing students with an avenue to voice concerns or grievances. The purpose of this policy is to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints. It is not applicable to, nor does it supplant, complaints that are governed by other IECC policies and procedures*.
Students are encouraged to seek resolution, as soon as possible, through informal communication with the appropriate individual(s). When a resolution is not resolved informally, a formal written complaint may be filed in the following manner.
Student Complaint Procedure
Filing a Complaint with IECC
Students shall follow the steps defined below for complaints not governed by other IECC policy and procedure (e.g. sexual harassment, grade appeals, Student Code of Conduct, and readmission petitions*).
Step 1: Within ten days of the incident causing the complaint, the student shall attempt to resolve the matter informally. The student should meet with his/her instructor or service provider. If the matter is not resolved within ten days from the date of the meeting, the student may file a formal written complaint.
Step 2: Within five days from the expiration of days under Step 1, the student (complainant) may file a formal written complaint with the College, which will be reviewed by the appropriate personnel. The written complaint should include, at a minimum, the student’s name, details of the complaint, supporting data, and a desired outcome. If the complaint is against the administrative officer defined in any Step, the complainant shall advance to the next Step. A written response shall be provided to the complainant within five days of receipt of the complaint. If the matter is not resolved, then Step 3 shall apply.
Step 3: Within five days of receipt of the response under Step 2, the complainant may file a formal written appeal with the President. The President shall appoint an Appeal Committee composed of two students, two faculty members, and one administrator. The Committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the President within ten days. The President will render a written decision concerning the appeal within five days from receiving the Committee's recommendation. If the matter is not resolved, then Step 4 shall apply.
Step 4: Within five days of receipt of the response under Step 3, the complainant may file a formal written appeal with the Chancellor. Upon review, the Chancellor may dismiss the complaint with or without meeting with the complainant. Alternately, the Chancellor may arrange a meeting with the complainant. All decisions of the Chancellor are final.
Legal Counsel
Students are entitled to due process and have the right to their own legal counsel at any time.
Retaliation
Participants in this process shall not be subjected to reprisals or retaliation because of participation in the complaint process.
Time Limits
Days are defined as days in which the district office and the colleges are normally open to conduct business. The time limits prescribed for each step shall be adhered to unless there has been mutual agreement between the complainant and the administrator to extend the time limits. Failure by the administration at any step of the process to communicate the decision on a complaint within the specified time limit shall permit the complainant to proceed to the next step. Failure on the part of the complainant to appeal the decision to the next step within the specified time limits shall be deemed to be an abandonment of the complaint.
Withdrawal
The student may withdraw his/her complaint at any time.
Records
A log of formal complaints and the resulting records will be retained for a minimum of five (5) years.
Administrative Review
Student complaints are reviewed annually to determine trends and to ensure complaints are addressed in a timely manner and in accordance with this procedure.
Additional resources and contact information related to filing a complaint:
Filing a Complaint with ICCB
Students who are not satisfied with the results of an appeal may file a complaint with the Illinois Community College Board.
Filing a Complaint with HLC
IECC's accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission, will receive complaints for matters related to potential substantive noncompliance with the Criteria for Accreditation or other HLC requirements.
Students in Distance Education
Distance Education students who feel a complaint has not been resolved in a satisfactory manner may additionally utilize the following resource:
Student Complaint Information by State and Agency – provides each state’s contact information for receiving complaints. (Please note that IECC, as an Illinois community college, falls under the authority of the ICCB and not the IBHE as listed.)
*Refer to these policies and procedures for alternate guidelines for registering complaints and/or appealing administrative decisions:
FERPA
Grade Appeals
Nondiscrimination Policy
Prohibiting Sex Discrimination Policy
Readmission by Petition
Student Code of Conduct