Keck Graduate Institute (“Institute”) has adopted an internal grievance procedure for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by federal regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and similar state laws. These laws provide that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the Institute, or be subjected to discrimination by the Institute. 

Issues that are grievable include, but are not limited to, a denial of a requested accommodation, the inadequacy of an accommodation, the inaccessibility of a program, benefit, service or activity (including those delivered through electronic and information technology) due to disability, or discrimination or harassment based on disability.[2] 

All such student grievances should be addressed to the attention of KGI’s Student Accessibility Services Coordinator. 

The following steps explain the procedure: 

  • The grievance should be submitted in writing and include the grievant’s name and contact information, a clear and concise description of the problem which is the basis for the grievance (including relevant facts, any steps taken to resolve the problem, the names of and contact information for persons who may have relevant information concerning the grievance), and a statement of the remedy requested. 
  • A grievance must be filed within ninety (90) days after the grievant becomes aware of the alleged problem. Grievances received later than ninety (90) days after the grievant became aware of the alleged problem will be dismissed as untimely, unless exceptional circumstances prevented timely filing. 
  • An investigation, as may be appropriate, will follow the filing of a grievance. The investigation shall be conducted by the Institute’s Student Accessibility Services Coordinator, Director of Human Resources or other designee (“grievance officer”). These procedures contemplate a prompt and informal, but thorough investigation which afford the grievant, the party against whom the grievance or the proposed disposition is directed, and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit documents and information relevant to the consideration of and resolution of the grievance. 
  • A written determination as to the validity of the grievance and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the grievance officer and a copy forwarded to the grievant and the party against whom the grievance or the proposed disposition is directed no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the grievance. 
  • The disposition proposed by the grievance officer will be put into effect promptly. The grievant or the party against whom the grievance or the proposed disposition is directed may appeal. An appeal will not suspend the implementation of the disposition proposed by the grievance officer, except in those circumstances where the appeal officer decides that good cause exists making the suspension of implementation appropriate. 
  • Within ten (10) days of the receipt of the grievance officer’s determination, the grievant or the party against whom the grievance or the proposed disposition is directed may appeal the grievance officer’s determination. The appeal, which must be in writing, should state the reasons why the person believes the determination should be changed and state the change(s) sought. All appeals are to be submitted to the Institute’s Student Accessibility Services Coordinator, who will direct the appeal and all appropriate records to the appropriate appeal officer (e.g., Dean of Students, Academic Dean, Director of Human Resources, or Vice President for Finance and Operations depending on the circumstances and issues involved) for review and disposition. A copy of the appeal officer’s written decision will be expected within 30 days of the filing of the appeal and will be sent to the parties, the grievance officer, Student Accessibility Services Coordinator. 
  • Whenever the application of any of the time deadlines or procedures set forth in this grievance procedure creates a problem due to the nature of the grievance, the urgency of the matter, or other circumstances (including for reasons relating to breaks in the academic calendar), the grievance or appeal officer will determine whether an appropriate expedite d procedure can be fashioned or extensions of time are warranted, and the parties shall be advised. 
  • The Institute’s Student Accessibility Services Coordinator shall maintain the files and records relating to grievances filed. 
  • The availability and use of this grievance procedure does not prevent a person from filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with a federal or state agency such as the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, 50 United Nations Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94102, Telephone: 415.486.5555, TDD: 800.877.8339; Email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov. 
  • Retaliation against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation under this grievance procedure is against the law and prohibited. Any concerns about retaliation related to this process should be disclosed immediately to the Institute’s Student Accessibility Services Coordinator or Director of Human Resources. 

Inquiries concerning KGI’s Student Accessibility Services accommodations and discrimination policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes and regulations (such as Section 504 and the ADA), and this grievance procedure (including requests for any accommodations needed to use this procedure) should be directed to the Institute’s Student Accessibility Services Coordinator or Director of Human Resources. 

Forms are provided by the KGI Student Accessibility Services Coordinator 

Note, where in the judgement of the Institute it is more appropriate to do so, the Institute may administer or investigate a grievance regarding disability discrimination, harassment or retaliation through procedures set forth in other applicable Institute policies,. Also in the case of students, a dispute arising from a request for a modification or waiver of academic requirements or standards may, in the first instance, be referred to the [insert name of appropriate faculty committee or review body].