Student Services

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.

Student Grievance Procedures

Academic Grievance

In most situations communication between the student and the faculty member can resolve an academic issue. It is important to address concerns with faculty either during the course or immediately after the conclusion of the course (within 3 days). If the issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student in this stage of the process, then the student should initiate the formal grievance process using the “Grievance Resolution Form” available on Canvas or from the Office of the Registrar to express his/her concern. All appeals or grievances must be submitted in writing to the Dean within two (2) weeks of the action causing the appeal or grievance. A student or any member of the public is not required to use CIAM’s internal process first. There are four levels of this process: The Professor, the Dean, the Chief Academic Officer, and finally the CIAM Conduct & Appeals Committee. If the instructor cannot resolve the problem, the matter should be referred to the Dean. The Dean has five (5) working days to address the issue. If one is needed, the Dean shall call a meeting or meetings with the parties involved. The instructor and the student will be afforded the opportunity to present evidence prior to his/her deliberations regarding the incident or complaint and the Dean shall distribute the findings/decisions to the professor and the student within five (5) working days after the meeting. If the issue is not resolved at the level of the Dean, the Chief Academic Officer will review the case and attempt to resolve the issue. If needed, the CIAM Conduct & Appeals Committee shall be the final institutional step in arbitrating the grievance and will resolve the issue forwarding their recommendations to the CAO for implement of any remediation. Complaints should be resolved 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/.