The written grievance must be signed by the student and filed immediately following the alleged
unjust or unfair actions/incident. The Office of the Dean of Students will investigate the concern
and/or refer the case to the dean of undergraduate studies, appropriate department head, and to the
Office of Human Resources for review and determination of “reasonable fairness” in seeking to
resolve the matter. All parties involved in the alleged incident will be notified and will be allowed an
opportunity to provide pertinent information in an effort to address the grievance.
The investigation process generally is completed within thirty (30) College business days from when the
written complaint is filed. A written determination as to the validity of the grievance and a summary of the
outcome and/or resolution will be issued by the dean of students, appropriate dean or director or chair, to the
student filing the complaint and/or grievance. The case decision will be final.
The right of a student to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed will not be impaired
by the student’s pursuit of other remedies, such as filing of a complaint with the responsible federal
department or another agency. Once the resolution is finalized, the process is complete.
Campus Policies
Human Dignity Policy
Spelman College requires that the members of our campus community must respect all persons
regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, or disability.
While we realize that acts of intolerance may be the result of ignorance and that a significant part of
our mission is to confront ignorance with education, we cannot allow these acts to harm another
person. We are committed to the continual task of combating both subtle and obvious intolerance.
Spelman College regards as unacceptable conduct on the part of its students any words or actions
that are intended to be, or that are reasonably foreseeable to be, threatening, intimidating, or
harassing to any member of the College community. This includes behavior or actions taken against
students, faculty, staff, guests, and contracted service employees on the basis of age, race, ethnic
origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental condition, marital status, protected
veterans status, genetic tests, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
Music in Community Spaces & Public Venues Policy
Spelman College is representative of a very rich diversity of students, faculty and staff. In keeping
with the mission and goals of the College we have an expectation for expanded learning inside and
outside the classroom. Music is considered to be part of the educational fabric of the community.
Thus, all music played at co-curricular programs, activities and events must be respectful of
African-American women. Racially derogatory music and music that uses or promotes any form of
derogatory words and actions representative of misogyny against African-American women will not be
tolerated or permitted in public venues and/or official college programs. This policy includes all
faculty, staff, and student organization events and activities.
Peaceful Assembly Policy
One of the primary functions of Spelman College is to discover and disseminate knowledge by means
of research, teaching, and civic engagement. To fulfill this function, an open interchange of ideas is
necessary not only within the College, and also in the larger society. As such, Spelman College
believes peaceful assembly is an acceptable means of expression within our community.
Freedom of speech is also an idea encouraged and supported at Spelman. Implicit in this freedom is
the right to dissent. We seek to provide the right to engage in peaceful assemblies for all faculty, staff,
and students in our academic community. In providing individuals the right to peaceful assembly, there
must also be room for others in the community to access academic and educational processes, to
reside in residential spaces, and to take advantage of normal business operations.
By law, only peaceful assemblies are protected. Participation in a peaceful assembly must be
voluntary, and must support the basic exchange of ideas with persons who may be opposed to the
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