Student Grievance

Purpose:

Reynolds Community College (Reynolds) provides students with a clear, equitable, and timely process for resolving complaints and grievances related to their educational experience. This policy is intended to ensure compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Principles of Accreditation and alignment with applicable Virginia Community College System (VCCS) policies

This policy applies to all students enrolled in credit and non-credit courses at Reynolds Community College and governs formal academic and non-academic grievances as defined below.

Definitions:

Complaint: a written complaint of unfair and/or unlawful treatment formally charged by a student against a college employee, regarding the application of college rules, policies, procedures, and regulations

Days: Days will mean business days during which the college is open. In computing any period of time, the day on which notice is received will not be counted. Saturdays, Sundays, and college closures (scheduled and unscheduled) will not be counted.

Formal Resolution: Submitting Reynolds' designated grievance reporting form to follow this set of policy and procedures for resolving a grievance as covered under this policy and procedure.

Incident: the situation or circumstance the student perceives as grievable.

Informal Resolution: Attempting to resolve the incident with involved parties prior to submitting a complaint in the formal process.

Student: any person enrolled full- or part-time in credit or non-credit courses at the college.

Policy:

In accordance with VCCS Policy 6.5.0.1 Student Grievance and SACSCOC Standard 12.4 Student Complaints:

1. Policy Statement

   Reynolds maintains and publishes student grievance procedures that are accessible, consistently applied, and designed to ensure fair and impartial review. These procedures provide students with a defined process for raising concerns, prohibit retaliation, and support institutional accountability and continuous improvement. This policy is approved through an established review process that involves key Reynolds leaders

2. Matters Governed by Other Policies

   This policy does not apply to matters addressed through separate Reynolds or VCCS policies or procedures, including but not limited to:

   • Student conduct and disciplinary actions;
   • Allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation (including Title IX);
   • Disability accommodations and accessibility concerns;
   • Financial aid appeals;
   • Employment-related complaints.

   Concerns in these areas will be referred to the appropriate Reynolds policy.

3. Non-Retaliation Statement

   Retaliation against any individual for filing a grievance or participating in the grievance process under this policy is prohibited and may result in action under applicable Reynolds or VCCS policies.

4. Oversight and Authority

   • Vice President of Academic Affairs (or designee) oversees academic grievance processes.
   • The Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee) oversees non-academic grievance processes.

Procedures:

Procedure for Reynolds Policy 1-04, Student Grievance

Other Information: