Page 62 - Illinois Tech Student Handbook 2022-23

● A student not from the same department as the grievant, appointed by Vice Provost of Student Affairs and Dean of Students/designee after consultation with the Student Government Association.
After the grievance is disclosed to those selected to serve on the Grievance Committee, any member who believes that a conflict of interest might be inferred by their participation in hearing the specific grievance may submit to the Provost a request for replacement along with the reasons for making such request. The Provost or designee will make the decision as to whether the member should be excused from or retained on the committee. If the decision is to excuse the petitioner, a replacement will be appointed in the same manner as the person who was excused.
After composition of the Grievance Committee to hear a specific grievance has been determined, the Grievance Committee shall select a chair from among its membership.
3. Grievance Committee Procedure
At the initial meeting of the Grievance Committee, where the chair is selected by the Committee’s members, the Grievance Committee will also establish a hearing date. The chair will communicate to the parties the date of the hearing and names of the members of the Grievance Committee. Notice of the hearing date and members must be provided to the parties within at least five calendar days of the date for the hearing. Any involved party who believes a member of the Grievance Committee may have a conflict of interest may request that such person be excused; provided that the party must do so within two calendar days of receipt of the notice or the party will be deemed to have waived their right to so object. Such a request must be submitted in writing with reasons for the request to the Provost or designee, who will decide whether or not to grant the request. If the decision is made to excuse that person, a replacement will be appointed in the same manner as the person who was excused.
Each involved party may be accompanied by an advisor of their choosing, but the advisor is limited to advising and may not participate in presenting the case, questioning witnesses, or making statements during the hearing. At the hearing, the grievant and the involved parties will be given an opportunity to make a statement as to the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged discriminatory practice. Each party may present any witnesses whose statements would be helpful in presenting or defending the charge. At the discretion of the Grievance Committee, additional witnesses may be granted the opportunity to make statements. The Grievance Committee may question any of the participants in the hearing, as it deems such inquiry necessary to its determination of the issues involved. An audio tape recording of the hearing will be made. The tape will remain the property of Illinois Tech. No other recording of the proceeding may be made.
After the hearing, the Grievance Committee will review the grievance and submit a written report to the Provost. Such determination will include a summary of the operative facts and an opinion as to the validity of the grievance. The report may include a recommendation as to any further action to be taken.
The Provost will then consider the Grievance Committee’s findings and decide on feasible and appropriate action for Illinois Tech to take in the disposition of the charge. Such decision shall be communicated to the grievant, the charged party and the Director. In the event that the Provost should be named in the grievant’s charge, the President shall designate the Provost’s replacement for implementing these procedures. The decision of the Provost shall be final, except that the grievant or the charged party may request, within five calendar days of the decision’s communication, that the Provost reconsider their decision; provided, however, any such request must be based only on one or both of the following considerations: (i) the procedures outlined above were not substantially followed and such occurrence reasonably could be deemed to have impacted the outcome; and (ii) new evidence that was not available at the time of the original decision, due to no fault or lack of diligence of the grievant, has become available.
4. General Rules
a. Illinois Tech will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by students pursuing any grievances. b. Students will have the right to present a grievance without prejudice or retaliation.
c. The time limitations established herein are deemed to be binding on all parties involved and will
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