Grievance Procedure

A grievance is a formal written complaint submitted by a student when a concern has not been satisfactorily resolved at the previous level of the College's complaint resolution process. A grievance provides the student with the opportunity to request further review of a concern regarding a College policy, procedure, decision, action, or conduct through the established escalation process. ACC is committed to resolving all student concerns timely and thoroughly. Most concerns can be resolved at level 1.

Students with concerns should follow the steps below:

• Level 1: Contact the instructor.
• Level 2: Contact the specific program leadership if unresolved with the response or satisfactory resolution from level 1.
• Level 3: Contact the Campus Director of Education if unresolved with the response or satisfactory resolution from level 2. The student will need to compose a complaint letter that includes all items listed under the guidelines for writing a complaint and submit it to their specific program leadership.
• Level 4: Contact the Campus Executive Director if unresolved with the response or satisfactory resolution from level 3.
• Level 5: Contact the College Director, Student Services at [email protected] if unresolved with the response or satisfactory resolution from level 4.
• Level 6: Contact the Co-President, Academics of American Career College if unresolved with the response or satisfactory resolution from level 5.

Guidelines for Writing a Grievance

1. 1. Compose a Letter. The complainant shall explain the situation completely and accurately in a well-written document that:
      1. Outlines the situation.
      2. States their position as to why the complaint needs to escalate.
      3. Requests the desired outcome or solution.
         
         Checklist for Submitting a Grievance 
         • Student name
         • Date of filing the grievance.
         • Program (For example: MA, DA, VN, PTA, RAD, etc.).
         • The department or individual the complaint is lodged against.
         • Location, date, and time the alleged incident(s) occurred.
         • Full names of all witnesses (First and last names, middle initial if available).
         • Reason or basis for grievance:
           • List the policy or procedure or standard that was allegedly violated.
           • Why is the action or behavior an alleged violation (description of the specific action or behavior that occurred).
         • Resolution or remedy being sought.
2. Be thorough. Please remember that the complaint documentation stating your position and desired outcome is a key component used to evaluate the situation, along with feedback from witness(es) or person(s) with direct knowledge, Program Directors, faculty, and administration.
3. Include any and all supporting documentation that will help clearly state and support your position.
4. Have questions? Please email ACC Feedback at [email protected].