Gwynedd Mercy University AY2021-2022 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
Accessibility Services Grievance Procedure Grievances falling under the scope of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 , and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 , and the ADA Amendment Act of 2008 should be made according to the following procedure . This procedure is applicable only to students who have previously registered with Accessibility Services , regardless of their experience in the classroom to date . A student who has a grievance / concern regarding their disability status , accommodations / modifications or lack thereof , the “ reasonableness ” presented by the University , or any decisions based on their presentation by faculty , staff or a department ; or has been subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of disability should first contact the Director of Accessibility Services . The Director may be able to assist in the informal resolution of the issue , and / or serve as a liaison to the faculty / staff member or department . In instances which directly involve the Director as an integral party to the grievance / concern , the student should contact the Dean of Student Success for attempts at informal mediation / negotiation . To increase the likelihood of successful resolution , such processes must be initiated at the time of conflict . If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of this process , they may proceed to a Formal Complaint . Retaliation against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation or a grievance is prohibited .
Formal Complaint : A student may choose this option if attempts at prior resolution have been unsuccessful . A signed , written summary of events must be submitted to the Dean of Student Success within 30 days of the initiation of the grievance process . The summary should include the following : The specifics of the concern including any applicable sections of the above laws The steps already taken by the student to resolve the issue The outcomes of those steps The requested resolution to the concern
The Dean of Student Success will , as expeditiously as possible , present the complaint to a committee comprised of representatives from Health Services , Counseling Services , the academic program the student is pursuing or other faculty / staff on campus with relevant expertise , and Institutional Technology , for a full investigation . The Dean of Student Success may also include or consult with an external professional with expertise in disability support services and the presenting concern . Confidentiality will be maintained for everyone involved , in so far as possible .
Only those persons who have a “ need to know ” within the investigation and resolution of complaints are entitled to information regarding a complaint .
The Dean of Student Success may meet with the Director of Accessibility Services for a briefing on information relevant to the case . This communication may occur through a verbal account and / or through review of material documentation previously submitted to the Director , which shall then be permissible in the investigation process . A written report regarding findings will be provided by the committee to the complainant and any involved parties , if action is required on their part . The Dean of Student Success may wish to meet with the complainant to discuss alternate ways of meeting the student ’ s concern determined by the committee , if the requested resolution is not deemed appropriate and / or necessary .
If the student remains unsatisfied with the outcome , they may appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs / Provost with an updated version of the Summary of Events specifying the current area of discontent , for review .
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