Page 187 of Cecil Community College 2005-2007 Catalog by Cecil Community College

www.cecilcc.edu 186 stances, he/she will designate three (3) individuals from the College to conduct a formal investigation of the complaint and will receive their report. 3. The President will then determine appropriate action to be taken and/or make any necessary recommendations to the Board of Trustees. 4. Any complainant may choose to by-pass the informal resolution procedure and request that a complaint of sexual harassment be referred to the President after an investigation and a reasonable cause determination has been made. Discipline and Other Policy Guidelines A. If appropriate, corrective action which is consistent with the degree of seriousness of the harassment may be determined by the President or a designee, or be recommended by the President to the Board of Trustees. In general, corrective action will be commensurate with the nature and severity of the offense, and when appropriate, reflect levels of progressive discipline. B. Guidelines for such progression are as follows: 1. A minor offense will result in at least a verbal warning plus counseling as to the provisions of this policy. Stronger disciplinary action may be taken depending upon the nature of the offense and the employees employment record. 2. A second minor offense may be regarded as misbehavior and result in at least a formal written warning that separation from the College may result if sexual harassment continues or is repeated. 3. Additional minor and/or a major offense(s) may be regarded as gross misconduct and result in the immediate and involuntary separation from the College of the individual charged. C. No retaliation or reprisal of any kind will be permitted or tolerated against any individual of the College who makes a complaint according to these procedures. Acts of retaliation towards such an individual may be treated as a subsequent and/or major offense and will result in appropriate discipline. D. Filing of a knowingly false accusation of sexual harassment by any individual against an employee or student of the College is a serious violation of this policy and may result in disciplinary action up to and including involuntary separation from the College. E. Any determination of the College or action taken which affects the complainant, the alleged offender or supervisory personnel may be formally appealed through one of the Colleges available grievance procedures, if any such procedure applies to the aggrieved individual. If no grievance procedure applies, any determination below the level of President may be appealed to the President, but a decision by the President is final. F. An intentional failure by an official to take necessary and appropriate steps to refer any possible violation of this policy for investigation or otherwise act upon a bona fide complaint of sexual harassment will result in disciplinary action by the College. G. The College will make every effort to protect the confidentiality of all parties to the extent practical while fulfilling its obligation to investigate any possible instances of and otherwise prohibit and prevent sexual harassment. Smoking Policy Cecil Community College establishes a smoke-free environment for all property owned and/or leased by the College with the exception of designated smoking areas. All smoking and carrying of lighted tobacco products outside of designated smoking areas is prohibited. Designated smoking areas are established by Cecil Community College and are subject to change and review. Student Grievance Policy Policy A Cecil Community College student who wishes to file a grievance should first attempt to resolve the issue at its source with the instructor or staff member involved. Should such a resolution be impossible, however, the student may pursue the following steps if he/she wishes to file a grievance. There are two grievance tracks: (1) academic grievances, such as grade disputes and academic dishonesty issues; and (2) all other matters, such as schedules, fees, materials, and property. It is the philosophy of Cecil Community College that a grade is based on the expert judgement of the instructor. The College administration will not attempt to substitute his/her judgement for that of the instructor. In a grievance involving a grade, the administrator will try to determine if the grade was arrived at in an equitable manner, that is if the same standards were applied to all students in a particular class. Procedures 1. A. Academic Grievances: Students wishing to appeal a grade, dismissal from an academic program because of insufficient academic progress, or a decision involving academic dishonesty should first arrange a conference with the instructor. Should the grade/decision involve progress or dismissal from a program such as Nursing, the student will also hold a conference with the Director of the program or the Department Chair. B. Non-Academic Grievances: Students wishing to appeal non-academic matters, such as decisions regarding property, scheduling, etc., should first confer with the faculty or staff member involved. 2. Should no solution be reached in Step 1, the student, within five working days after the outcome of the conference has been determined, should contact the appropriate Vice President by submitting a written petition, which should include a detailed statement of the problem, a summary of the results of Step 1, and the ration-

[close]