Gwynedd Mercy University
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
addressed elsewhere . For example , sexual harassment is addressed in the University ’ s Sexual Misconduct Policy . Individuals who violate this policy shall be disciplined or subjected to corrective action , up to and including termination or expulsion .
Inquiries regarding federal law and regulations concerning nondiscrimination in education or the University ’ s compliance with those provisions may also be directed to : Office for Civil Rights , Philadelphia Office , U . S . Department of Education , The Wanamaker Building 100 Penn Square East , Suite 515 , Philadelphia , PA 19107-3323 , Telephone : ( 215 ) 656-8541 , Facsimile : ( 215 ) 656-8605 , Email : OCR . Philadelphia @ ed . gov
Grievance Policy 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 the Office of 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 Associate Dean 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 Associate Dean 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 Associate Dean will , as expeditiously as possible , present the complaint to a committee comprised of representatives from appropriate relevant departments , such as : Health Services , Counseling Services , the academic program the student is pursuing or other faculty / staff on campus with relevant expertise , Student Success Center , and the Title IX Coordinator , for a full investigation . The Associate Dean 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 Associate Dean 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 49