Student Complaints and Grievances

We recognize that various obstacles may occur during training that students wish to address. In these times, we ask that students utilize the Complaint and Grievance process to the best of their ability to voice any concerns they may have.

Privacy/Confidentiality: It is understood that committee members, faculty, staff, and administrators involved in the discussion of complaints or grievances will maintain professional standards of Privacy as situations allow. Students should be aware that every effort will be made to maintain privacy; however, AVTEC officials may be obligated to disclose information to law enforcement or other agencies as required by law. All counselors at AVTEC are provided as a confidential resource for students to utilize.

Definitions

Informal Complaint:

Communication of dissatisfaction, or action(s) that are perceived as unfair or unjust. This may be due to inappropriate or unprofessional conduct, unlawful harassment, issue(s) concerning health and safety, organizational policy or decision, interpersonal conflicts.

Formal Complaint:

Written (or electronic) documentation of dissatisfaction signed by the student regarding action(s) that are perceived as unfair or unjust. This may be due to inappropriate or unprofessional conduct, unlawful harassment, issue(s) concerning health and safety, organizational policy or decision, interpersonal conflicts.

Grievance:

A formal written document submitted by a student against the institution and may be filed when a student believes a process was not followed correctly.
A grievance should outline the specific policy, procedure or standard in question and rationale for the grievance including specific documentation or examples.

Process

Informal Complaints

The student is encouraged to attempt a resolution with whomever the issue arose, if at all possible. The student should contact a counselor if they need assistance and/or guidance.

Please note, this process does not apply in cases of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or discrimination. In those cases, the student should contact an AVTEC counselor or AVTEC’s Title IX Coordinator, Jamie Hall for guidance.

Formal Complaints

If the complaint is not resolved informally, the student should contact a counselor for further guidance. If it is determined a formal complaint will be filed then a Formal Complaint form must be completed and must include the following:

Record of attempts at informal complaint resolution
Individuals involved
Dates of incident(s)
Witnesses, if applicable

The formal complaint form must be dated and signed before it is submitted to the counselor for final review. All decisions will be final.

Please note, this requirement does not apply in cases of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or discrimination. In those cases, the student should contact an AVTEC counselor or AVTEC’s Title IX Coordinator, Jamie Hall for guidance.

Grievance

Students who have a grievance about their AVTEC experience should contact a counselor for assistance in completing the Grievance form.

The completed form must include the following:

Record of attempts at resolution
Individuals involved
Dates of incident(s)
Witnesses, if applicable
Name of individual and/or department against whom the grievance is filed
Grievance details outlining the specific policy, procedure or standard in question
Desired outcome

The grievance form must be dated and signed before it is submitted to the counselor for review.

Human Rights Complaints/Grievances

The Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC), as an employer and service provider, complies with Alaska Human Rights Law and federal civil rights laws. AVTEC does not discriminate due to race, color, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, religious beliefs, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, military service, family medical history, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and economic status.

AVTEC provides a safe and secure learning and working environment and does not tolerate harassment of any kind. This means that all contact between students, instructors, and other employees of AVTEC must be respectful and conducive to a healthy learning and working environment. This includes language, clothing, or personal items displayed or worn in public containing obscene, profane, or offensive language, gestures, pictures, or symbols. Any such behaviors should be reported to staff immediately.

If a student has a grievance or believes they have been subjected to discrimination under Section 504, Title II, Title IV of HEA, Title IX or a WIOA Title I-financially assisted program or activity, they may follow these steps toward resolution or during any time of the resolution process and within 180 days of the alleged violation, contact any one of the human rights agencies listed.

Human Rights Agencies:

State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Commissioner
PO Box 111149
Juneau, AK 99811
(907) 465-2700
[email protected]

State of Alaska Department of Administration Division of Personnel
EEO Program Manager
(907) 375-7705

State of Alaska ADA Coordinator
550 W 7th Avenue, Suite 1960
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 375-7716

Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
1901 Bragaw Street, Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 274-4692
(800) 478-4692
[email protected]

EO Officer, Grants and Contracts (WIOA)
550 W 7th Avenue, Suite 1930
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 269-7487

Director, Civil Rights Center
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-4123
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 693-6500
[email protected]

U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
Customer Service Hotline: (800) 421-3481
[email protected]

Council on Occupational Education
7840 Roswell Road, Building 300, Suite 325
Atlanta, GA 30350
(770) 396-3898
(800) 917-2081
http://www.council.org

For more information, contact AVTEC’s Equal Rights Compliance Officer at (907) 224-6114.

Department of Labor and Workforce Development ALASKA VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL CENTER

Student Complaints and Grievances

Process

Need to Know

Department of Labor and Workforce Development