Affirmative Action Grievance Procedure

Discrimination shall mean a difference in treatment in any service, program, course, or facility of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status or parental status, or other protected status. Based on this definition, if you feel you have experienced discrimination, follow these procedures:

Step 1 - Informal Discussion

Discuss your problems or concerns with the Director of College Diversity, Special Needs Officer, an Admissions Counselor, and/or instructor. If this action does not resolve the problem, you may wish to continue with a formal written complaint. Obtain a copy of the complaint form from the following individuals:

Step 2 - Written Complaint

A written complaint must be filed within three hundred (300) days of the alleged discriminatory acts and should detail the time, place, pertinent facts, and circumstances of the alleged discrimination. Keep a copy for yourself and forward the remaining copies to the Affirmative Action Officer. The Affirmative Action Officer will forward a copy of the complaint to the Special Needs Officer if related to a disability. The Affirmative Action Officer will also forward a copy of the complaint to the appropriate administrative personnel as identified below.

IF CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION ARE:

1. Committed by students, to the Vice President of Student Services with a copy to the Vice President of Administration. Students discriminating against another student or staff person will be subject to discipline under the applicable student code of conduct.
2. Committed by faculty or support staff, to the President with a copy to the Vice President of Administration. Employees discriminating against students or other staff persons will be subject to discipline under appropriate Northeast Wisconsin Technical College employment policies and, as applicable, collective bargaining agreements.
3. Committed by administrative or management staff, to the President with a copy to the Vice President of Administration. Administrative or management staff persons discriminating against staff persons or students will be subject to discipline under appropriate Northeast Wisconsin Technical College employment policies.
4. Committed by any Vice President, to the President. Any Vice President discriminating against staff persons or students will be subject to discipline under appropriate Northeast Wisconsin Technical College employment policies.
5. Committed by the President, to the District Board Chair. If the President is found to have discriminated against staff persons or students, the President will be subject to discipline under appropriate Northeast Wisconsin Technical College employment policies.

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College will take other necessary corrective action to remedy any instances where discrimination is determined to have occurred.

Step 3

Within thirty (30) working days of the receipt of the formal complaint, the appropriate administrative personnel listed above shall attempt to resolve the problem. Such actions may include any of the following:

1. A formal or informal meeting with the complainant.
2. A formal or informal meeting with the respondent.
3. A formal or informal meeting with all parties in an attempt to seek a resolution.
4. A formal investigation of the complaint.

All reasonable effort will be made to complete the appropriate steps within the noted time frame. In cases where it appears that this time frame is not appropriate, the complainant shall be notified and the appropriate time frame identified. This shall be done within fifteen (15) working days of filing the formal complaint.

Regardless of the method used in an attempt to resolve the problem, the administrative personnel shall issue a written decision identifying the result of their review, including, but not limited to identifying any formal or informal resolution which the parties themselves have agreed to and/or any formal determination which the investigating administrator had made. Such written responses shall be forwarded to the complainant with a copy sent to the College President within the time frame noted above.

Step 4

If either the complainant and/or respondent are in disagreement with the results, findings, or recommendations of Step 3, the following actions can be taken:

1. If the respondent or the complainant and the respondent are students, they can request, in writing, an impartial view by the Faculty/Student Committee within three (3) working days of the finding. Such review must be completed within twenty (20) working days after receiving the request.
2. If the complainant is a student and the respondent is a staff member, all actions shall be taken by the College and that staff member shall have the normal right or redress set forth in their labor agreement or by Board policy. In such cases the student shall have an opportunity to present information and speak at each step of the process.
3. If both the complainant and respondent are employees, standard College disciplinary procedures and rights as identified by labor agreements or Board policy shall be followed.
4. Any party that is in disagreement with the results, findings, or recommendations of the above bodies, has the right to appeal the decision, in writing, to the Board of Directors. Such a request must be made within three (3) working days of the finding. The Board shall have twenty (20) working days, after receiving the request, to review the appeal and submit a decision to the appellant.

Step 5

If there is a disagreement with the final written decision, the complainant may file directly with the Wisconsin Equal Rights Department, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or pursue avenues of resolution for complaints, filed on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap disability, or age, marital status, sexual orientation, arrest record, religion, pregnancy or parental status, or other protected status.

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Information on Promoting Unity Through Diversity at NWTC or helping high school students achieve their dreams.

Email: hr@nwtc.edu
Human Resources Receptionist 920-498-6286
or 1-800-422-6982, Ext. 6982