Student Complaint and Grievance Policies

Discrimination or Harassment Complaints

Contra Costa Medical Career College is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment in which students, faculty, and staff can develop intellectually, professionally, personally, and socially. Such an atmosphere must be free of intimidation, fear, coercion, and reprisal. The College prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, sex, color, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status under any program or activity offered under its control. In keeping with this commitment, the College also maintains a strict policy that prohibits sexual harassment, which includes harassment based on gender, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition and inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. This policy applies regardless of the gender or sexual orientation of the complainant or the alleged harasser. It is College policy that all persons should enjoy freedom from unlawful discrimination of any kind, as well as from sexual harassment, or retaliation for reporting a complaint. This policy applies to prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment between members of the College community, including between students and other students and between students and employees or third parties, if the College has notice regarding or control over the third party. Individuals who engage in prohibited conduct will be subject to disciplinary action.

Grievance Procedures for Civil Rights Violations

Contra Costa Medical Career College encourages prompt reporting of complaints so that a rapid response can be made and an appropriate action taken. Note that reporting a complaint need not be limited to someone who was the target of the discrimination or harassment. The following person is designated to coordinate Contra Costa Medical Career College responsibilities under the law and to ensure compliance with Contra Costa Medical Career College policies against discrimination: Contra Costa Career College, 4041 Lone Tree Way Suite 101 Antioch Ca. 94531.

Hearing Procedures

Hearing committees consist of three members. The Campus Director of Contra Costa Medical Career College appoints two members from the faculty or administrative staff and the student selects one member from the faculty. The campus Director of Contra Costa Medical Career College also designates the chairperson to conduct the proceedings and report the committee’s decision. Members of hearing committees must be unbiased and must not have had direct involvement in the case prior to the hearing.Parties to the hearing are notified in writing of the hearing date, time, location, and procedures at least seven (7) business days before the hearing.

Hearing procedures include the following:

• A written or electronic record of the proceedings is maintained. The hearing is closed and members of the committee will take reasonable precautions to ensure that the proceedings remain confidential, unless disclosure is required by law. A designated secretary will be present to record the minutes.
• The proceeding is not governed by formal rules of evidence or by trial-like procedures. The procedures are those used by reasonable persons conducting a serious proceeding. The chairperson rules on all procedural questions.
• The chairperson reads the charges or complaint to the committee.
• Each side presents its case.
• Members of the committee have the right to question any of the parties or witnesses.
• Parties may be advised by legal counsel, but legal counsel may not be present during the hearing.
• The chairperson may terminate a party’s right to address the committee if the party becomes abusive or persists in presenting irrelevant evidence or information.
• If either party fails to appear, the hearing will continue as if the absent party were present.
• After the hearing, the committee deliberates and renders a decision by simple majority based on a preponderance of the evidence. If the committee decides to impose a penalty, it specifies the disciplinary action to be imposed.
• The campus Director of Contra Costa Medical Career College sends written notification of the committee’s decision and of the right to appeal.

Appellate Procedures

Students who believe they have been wrongfully or excessively penalized may appeal the hearing decision. Such an appeal must be requested in writing within 30 days of notification of the action and must be directed to the Director of College. In order for the Director to convene an appeals committee, the student must establish that there is sufficient cause for such an appeal. It is the responsibility of the student to submit a clear, coherent, written statement providing the basis for the appeal, including any supporting documentation. For an appeal to be granted, the student must present:

A reasonable possibility that the unfavorable decision was clearly wrong, given the hearing committee’s interpretation of the evidence or in the disciplinary action imposed; and new evidence that was not available for presentation at the original hearing and which, if true, creates a reasonable probability of a different decision. In addition, a satisfactory explanation must be provided for the failure to present such evidence at the hearing. At the discretion of Contra Costa Medical Career College, any disciplinary action previously imposed may be suspended pending disposition of the appeal. The Campus Director of Contra Costa Medical Career College will appoint a panel of three individuals from the faculty, administration, or both, and will designate one of them to conduct appeal proceedings. Members of the committee must not have had direct involvement in the case prior to the appellate hearing. A meeting time is arranged within 30 days of receiving of the request for an appeal. All relevant information is then considered by the committee, including the record of the proceedings of the original hearing, written statements of the case, the testimony of any witnesses for each of the opposing parties, and any new evidence presented. The hearing procedures for the appeal will be identical to the procedures for the original hearing (see Hearing Procedures).The appeal committee’s recommendation, including a description of the appeal and the rationale for its recommendation, is sent to the campus Director of Contra Costa Medical Career College. Within 14 days of receiving the recommendation, the Campus Director will send written notification of his/her decision to the student. This decision is final. All documentation for all hearings will be kept on file. Disciplinary expulsions are noted on student transcripts. Probation and suspension are also noted on transcripts but only for the duration of the probation or suspension. Any retaliatory action of any kind by an employee or student of Contra Costa Medical Career College against any other employee or student of Contra Costa Medical Career College as a result of that person’s seeking redress under these procedures, cooperating in an investigation, or other participation in these procedures is prohibited and will be regarded as the basis for disciplinary action.

NOTICE TO STUDENTS: ACCET COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

This institutionis recognized by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) as meeting and maintaining certain standards of quality. It is the mutual goal of ACCET and the institution to ensure that educational training programs of quality are provided. When problems arise, students should make every attempt to find a fair and reasonable solution through the institution’s internal complaint procedure, which is required of ACCET accredited institutions and frequently requires submission of written complaint. Refer to the institution’s catalog or otherwise available from the institution, upon request. Note that ACCET will process complaints which involve ACCET standards and policies and, therefore, are within the scope of the accrediting agency. In the event that a student has exercised the institution’s formal student complaint procedure, and the problem(s) have not been resolved, the student has the right and is encouraged to take the following steps:

1. Complaints should be submitted in writing and mailed, or emailed to the ACCET office. Complaints received by phone will be documented, but complainant will be requested to submit the complaint in writing.
2. The letter of complaint must contain the following:
   • Name and location of the ACCET institution;
   • A detailed description of the alleged problem(s);
   • The approximate date(s) that the problem(s) occurred
   • The names and titles/positions of all individual(s) involved in the problem;
   • What was previously done to resolve the complaint, along with evidence demonstrating that the institution’s complaint procedure was followed prior to contacting ACCET;
   • The name, email address, telephone number, and mailing address of the complainant. If the complainant specifically requests that anonymity be maintained, ACCET will not reveal his or her name to the institution involved; and
   • The status of the complainant with the institution (e.g. current student, former student, etc.)
   • In addition to the letter of complaint, copies of any relevant supporting documentation should be forwarded to ACCET (e.g. student’s enrollment agreement, syllabus or course outline, correspondence between the student and the institution).
3. SEND TO:
   ACCET CHAIR, COMPLAINT REVIEW COMMITTEE
   1722 N STREET, NW
   WASHINGTON, DC 20036
   TELEPHONE: (202) 955-1113
   FAX: (202) 955-1118 OR (202) 955-5306
   EMAIL: COMPLAINT@ACCET.ORG
   WEBSITE: WWW.ACCET.ORG