Main content
The Maricopa Community Colleges are dedicated to providing a healthy, comfortable, and educationally productive environment for students, employees, and visitors.
It is the policy of the Maricopa Community Colleges to promote equal employment opportunities through a positive continuing program. This means that Maricopa will not discriminate, nor tolerate discrimination, against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. Additionally, it is the policy of the Maricopa Community Colleges to provide an environment for each job applicant and employee that is free from sexual harassment, as well as harassment and intimidation on account of an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
Review the S-6 Instructional Grievance Process on the MCCCD website.
S-6 Instructional Grievance Process
A student who feels that he/she has been treated unfairly or unjustly by a faculty member (full-time or part-time) with regard to an academic process such as grading, testing or assignments, shall discuss the issue first with the faculty member involved. This conference shall be requested by the student within fifteen (15) working days from the time the student knew or reasonably should have known about the unfair or unjust treatment.
Use this form for final grade appeals only:
This instructional grievance process should not be utilized in a case in which a student feels he/she has experienced discrimination. If the student feels that he/she has experienced discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status (including document abuse), gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or sexual orientation, the student should refer to the Discrimination Complaint Procedures for Students as administered by the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Steps for Students to Follow
Please note the final grade appeal steps differ from those indicated below, and are listed on the final grade appeals form.
- A student who feels that he/she has been treated unfairly or unjustly by a Faculty member (full- time or part-time) with regard to an academic process such as grading, testing, or assignments, shall discuss the issue first with the Faculty member involved. This conference shall be requested by the student within fifteen (15) business days from the time the student knew or reasonably should have known about the unfair or unjust treatment.
- If, within ten (10) business days of the request for the conference with the Faculty member, the problem is not resolved or the Faculty member has been unable to meet with the student, the student may continue the process by filing a written complaint with the Department Chair and appropriate administrative office at the College. This written complaint must be filed within ten (10) business days following the previous deadline. The written complaint will be given to the Faculty member five (5) days before any official meetings are convened.
- If the complaint is not resolved at this level within ten (10) business days, the student should forward, to the Dean of Instruction, a copy of the original written complaint with an explanation regarding action taken at each prior level. The Dean will meet with the student, Faculty member, the Department/Division Chair, and the Faculty Senate President (the latter upon request of the Faculty member), and attempt to resolve the issues. This level will be the final step in any complaint process regarding grades.
- If the complaint, other than those concerning grades, is not resolved by the Dean of Instruction, it may be forwarded in writing by the student to the College President for final resolution. The College President, or designee, will expedite a timely examination of the issues and will issue a final written determination in the complaint process.
Instructional grievances are resolved at the college level. The district office is not an avenue of appeal for the instructional grievance process.
Note: The grievance process for grades must be initiated no later than sixty (60) calendar days from the date the grade was issued. AMENDED through the Administrative Regulation Process, March 25, 2013.
Student Instructional Grievance Form
Below is a PDF document that you can fill out to assist you as you engage in the instructional grievance process. After you have completed it, please print it out and take it with you as you meet with the appropriate personnel on campus.