Page 17 - San Bernardino Valley College Student Success Handbook 2020-21

j. The burden of proof to sustain a grievance rests with the student.
k. If the grievant fails to appear at the time and place scheduled for the hearing, and fails to notify the committee of the circumstances the grievance will be considered to have been withdrawn and procedures will be terminated. Depending on the nature of the circumstances, the committee shall determine if the hearing should be rescheduled within a reasonable period of time. It is recommended that the defendant participate in the hearing.
VIII. Notification
Within five days following the close of the hearing, the Grievance Hearing Committee shall prepare and send to the President a written decision. The recommendation shall include specific factual findings regarding the grievance.
Upon conclusion of the hearing, within ten (10) working days, the grievance hearing committee will inform the student and the respondent in writing about its recommendation.
IX. Appeal to President
The student may appeal the recommendation of the grievance hearing committee by writing to the president within ten (10) calendar days of being notified of the grievance hearing committee’s recommendation. The president will send the student a final decision in writing within ten (10) calendar days of receiving the appeal.
X. Appeal to the Chancellor
Any party to the grievance may appeal the decision of the president after a hearing before a Grievance Hearing Committee by filing an appeal within five (5) days of the President's decision with the Chancellor. The Chancellor may designate a District administrator to review the appeal and make a recommendation. The written appeal shall be sent to all concerned parties. All parties may submit written statements on the appeal. The Chancellor or designee shall review the record of the hearing and the documents submitted in connection with the appeal, but shall not consider any matters outside of the record. Following the review of the record and appeal statements, a written recommendation will be sent to all parties and will be final.
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