The Western Association of Schools and Colleges and University Commission’s Core Commitment to Institutional Integrity, Sustainability, and Accountability sets the expectation that institutions “demonstrate institutional integrity” and “operate in a transparent manner.” Certain WSCUC standards and policies, along with federal regulations, call for specific information to be made available publicly. This resource is intended to assist institutions in knowing what is required to be easily accessible and posted on their websites.

 

Institutional Mission 

• To question mainstream views of reality and human existence;

• To transform ourselves in order to transform the larger community.

• To explore complementary methods of promoting healing and wellbeing;

Student Complaints/Grievance Policy

Grievance Procedure for Non-Academic and/or Non-Disciplinary Matters Grievance Policy 

At CIHS, there are a number of grievance procedures through which students can raise and seek redress for what they believe to be unfair, improper or discriminatory decisions, actions, or treatment.  For example: 

• For complaints regarding academic decisions, the procedure set forth in Section 3.12 of the Student Handbook should be utilized.  
• For complaints regarding discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation, the procedure set forth in Section 2.2 of Student Handbook should be utilized.  
• For student disciplinary matters, the procedure set forth in Section 4.3 of Student Handbook should be utilized.  
• For complaints regarding student disability accommodations, the appeal procedure set forth in Section 2.3 of Student Handbook should be utilized. 

The purpose of the Student Non-Academic/Non-Disciplinary Grievance Procedure is to provide a process for students to seek resolution of actions or decisions of CIHS that may not fall within the scope of one of the other above-listed grievance procedures.  This grievance procedure is designed to address individual decisions or individual actions that affect the grievant personally in his or her capacity as a student, but it does not apply to address the concerns of student groups. Similarly and as a general proposition, dissatisfaction with a program, or Institute Policy or practice of broad or general application is not grounds for a grievance under this procedure; the Program Director may, in his or her discretion, entertain such a grievance in exceptional circumstances, such as where (for example) the Policy or practice is alleged to be contrary to law.  

Grievance Committee 
CIHS’ Grievance Committee is composed of 3 members appointed by the President.  The Committee is responsible for scheduling hearings within the appropriate time frame, notifying the parties regarding all issues surrounding the hearing, and presiding at hearings. The Grievance Committee shall not consist of persons (faculty, staff, administrators) identified within the grievance filing. The grievance process may be delegated to outside persons or organizations (such as an ombudsperson) under contract with CIHS. CIHS will document and track the investigation for reasonable progress and timely closures.  

Grievance Procedure
A student who wishes to file a grievance shall do so with the Dean for Student Success. The grievance must be in writing, must include details of the matter being grieved as well as a proposed resolution, and must be signed and dated. Students are encouraged to file grievances as soon after the events giving rise to the grievance as possible.  In no case may a student file a 48 grievance regarding an Institute action more than 6 months after the student knew of, or should have known of, the action at issue. CIHS prohibits retaliation against any individual for filing a grievance or for participating in the resolution of a grievance.  

Once the Dean for Student Success receives the grievance, they  will conduct an initial inquiry in order to determine whether the grievance should be referred to another process, or whether the grievance will be processed under this procedure.  The Dean for Student Success will decide in their  sole discretion whether the grievance should be referred to another process, processed under this procedure, or whether the concern reported in the grievance is a matter that is not appropriate for any of CIHS’ grievance or complaint procedures. If the Dean for Student Success  decides that the grievance will not be processed under any of the Institute’s grievance or complaint procedures, they will notify the grievant in writing of that decision within ten (10) calendar days.  The Dean for Student Success’s or designee’s  decision is final.  

In the event the Dean for Student Success or designee  determines the grievance is appropriate for this procedure, the following process will be utilized:  

STEP ONE—INFORMAL RESOLUTION.  The Dean for Student Success will attempt to resolve the problem through informal means.  If such informal means do not resolve the matter within ten (10) calendar days, the President will appoint members to the Grievance Committee to handle unresolved grievances. 

STEP TWO—COMMITTEE REVIEW.  The Grievance Committee will meet to review the grievance.  As part of the review process, the Grievance Committee will gather information from the involved people named by the student as well as from others as necessary.  The Grievance Committee may ask those named to respond to the student’s grievance in person or in writing.  The Grievance Committee will meet to discuss the grievance after they have completed the information gathering process and issue a written recommendation to the Dean for Student Success regarding resolution of the grievance. The grievant, the Respondent (if any), the President, and the Dean for Student Success will be notified in writing of the Grievance Committee’s recommendations no later than 60 working days from date the grievance is referred to the Grievance Committee. Results may include findings, summary of evidence, recommendations, and the right to appeal decision to the President. If no appeal is received, the Dean for Student Success will take such action as they  deem appropriate. 

STEP THREE—APPEAL. A request for an appeal must be made in writing to the President within a period of ten (10) days from the date of the issuance of the decision by the Grievance Committee.  The appeal must be based on one or more of the following reasons:

• Misconduct by the committee. 
• Conclusions not supported by the facts. 
• New evidence. 

If after reviewing the appeal and all written materials considered or prepared by the Grievance Committee during the review process, the President does not find one or more of the grounds listed above, the appeal will be disallowed. All parties, the Grievance Committee, the Grievant, and the Dean for Student Success  will be notified of the final disposition. If after reviewing the investigation and decision, the President finds one or more of the grounds listed above, the appeal will be sustained and the President may remand the decision to the Grievance Committee for reconsideration, issue a new decision, or take such action as s/he deems appropriate. 

STEP FOUR—REMAND PROCEDURE. Upon receiving the matter on remand, the Grievance Committee will meet to determine if there is cause to conduct further gathering of information.  If no cause is found, the Grievance Committee will reconsider the findings.  Reconsideration shall be limited to those issues raised on remand.

• The Grievance Committee will issue a decision on remand that will be sent to the President, Program Director, and the Program Coordinator. 
• Upon receiving a decision on remand, the President will take such action as deemed appropriate.  

All parties, the Grievance Committee, the Dean for Student Success, and the President as well, will be notified of the final disposition. The President and the Grievance Committee may change all time limits imposed or recommended in this grievance procedure for good cause or reason as determined. Records of grievances are maintained for at least seven (7) years.  All records are confidential and not open to review except to CIHS officials, accrediting bodies or their representatives who have a legitimate reason to review the records, or where required. 

NOTE: In the event that CIHS’ grievance process is deemed an inappropriate avenue for the resolution of a grievance filing (such as in the case if administrative faculty, or grievance policy stakeholders are included in the grievance filing, and the student believes that the grievance procedure is unduly compromised) students may contact ombudsperson, Yem Fong at yem.fong@colorado.edu.

Transfer Credit Policy