Student Success

Students should be free of unfair and improper action by any member of the CIAM community. A grievance may be initiated by a student when they believe that they have been subject to unjust action or denied their rights as stipulated in published school policies and State or Federal laws. Such action may be instituted by a student against a faculty or staff member and may seek redress through the Student Grievance Procedures as identified below.

Academic Grievance Procedure 

In most situations communication between the student and the faculty member can resolve academic matters. It is important to address concerns with faculty as soon as the incident occurs during the course, but no later than three (3) calendar days after the last scheduled day of class. If the issue is not resolved between the faculty and the student, then the student and faculty approach the Student Success Advisor. The student, faculty member and Student Success Advisor will work to resolve the matter. If the matter is not resolved with the group, then the student will initiate the formal grievance process using the “Grievance Resolution Form” available from the Office of the Registrar to express his/her concern. The Grievance Resolution Form is completed by the student and submitted in writing to the Student Success office within two (2) weeks of the action causing the appeal or grievance. There are four levels of appeal and dialog within the academic grievance process: 

1. The Professor 
2. Student Success Advisor 
3. The Conduct & Appeals Committee 
4. Provost 

If the instructor, and then the Student Success Office cannot resolve the matter, it will be referred to the Conduct & Appeals Committee, which comprises of representatives from both the Student Success Office and the Academic Affairs Office. The Committee will then review the case along with the information on the Grievance form and any other evidence such as emails, documented conversations, etc. The committee has five (5) working days to respond to the student. The committee will need to gather information from all the parties involved. Then the committee will make the findings and recommendations to the Provost who will then render a decision. The Academic Affairs Office will respond in writing to the student and professor with the final decision, including but not limited to recommendations and/or remediation. CIAM desires to resolve such grievances within the thirty (30) days of the initial date on the Grievance Resolution Form. 

Non-Academic Grievance

All complaints are viewed with the utmost seriousness and are treated in confidence, including those associated with bullying, racial and religious vilification, sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination allegations made by students. A student or any member of the public is not required to use CIAM’s internal process first. The Director of Campus Success or Title IX Coordinator has five (5) working days to resolve the issue (except in the case of Sexual Harassment, please refer to the Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, for which the office has 60 days to investigate the matter).

Complaints may be formal or informal. The difference between the two is that an informal complaint is unwritten and often unofficial, whereas a formal complaint is documented and therefore official.

Administered Three Stage Process

• First Stage of the Process: The complainant may initially raise an informal complaint (unwritten) with the Student Success Coordinator. Following receipt of the informal complaint, the issue will be reviewed by the Department Head within three (3) business days and a response will be provided to the complainant within five (5) business days. Depending on the nature of the complaint, the Department Head may choose to meet with other Directors to gain further information and resolution of the complaint raised. The Student Success coordinator will raise the complaint directly with the Director of Campus Success if the complaint is perceived to be of an extreme, threatening or criminal nature.
• Second Stage of the Process: Should the complainant not be satisfied with the outcome, they may submit a formal complaint in writing. The complainant may choose to go directly to the formal second stage if they prefer. The formal written complaint must be received by the Student Success Coordinator within 10 business days of the complainant receiving feedback. The formal complaint will be reviewed and addressed within three (3) business days and a response will be provided to the complainant within five (5) business days.
• Third Stage of the Process: If not satisfied with the decision of the Student Success Coordinator, the complainant may submit the complaint in writing to the Director of Campus Success within 10 business days of receipt of the formal complaint decision. The complaint will be addressed within 15 business days of receipt of the complaint, and a response will be given within 30 business days. Complaints should be resolved within 30 days of the initial date on the Grievance Resolution Form. 

Filing A Grievance

A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) by calling (888) 370-7589 toll-free or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s internet website at http://www.bppe.ca.gov/.