VCOM Administrative and Classified Staff Handbook

determine the facts of the complaint. In the case of a complaint being filed with the COCA, VCOM will submit all required documentation to the COCA for their investigation and determination. c. After a thorough investigation has been conducted by VCOM and/or the COCA, a determination as to whether VCOM is compliant or non-compliant regarding the standard(s) in question will be made. 1) If VCOM is noncompliant, the Provost will make a recommendation as to corrective action(s) to the President and Campus Dean(s). The decision regarding final corrective action(s) will be made jointly by the Provost, President, and Campus Dean(s). 2) If VCOM is compliant, no corrective action(s) are required. However, the Provost reserves the right to make further recommendations to the President and Campus Dean(s) and actions may be taken to improve processes. d. The Provost will complete and submit the Accreditation Standards and Procedures Findings and Resolution Form to the Campus Dean(s) and President who will assure, along with the Provost, that actions are taken to bring the institution into compliance. e. As corrective actions are completed they will be documented by the Provost on the Accreditation Standards and Procedures Findings and Resolution Form. Once all corrective actions are completed, the Provost will submit the final form to the Campus Dean(s) and President. f. VCOM will provide the COCA any follow-up documentation regarding corrective action(s) as required. g. The Provost will meet with the complainant to inform them of the resolution and to explain the findings to the complainant and explain the appeal process. 1) In the event that the complainant is not satisfied with the resolution of the Provost, he/she may appeal the decision, in writing, to the President within 7 calendar days of notification of the resolution and/or may communicate his/her complaint to the COCA. g. All records regarding accreditation standard complaints are maintained confidentially by the Provost. Neither the College, nor any person, shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, retaliate, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this policy, or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this policy. Complaints alleging retaliation may be filed with the Director for Institutional Licensure, Reporting and Accreditation. Grievance Procedure The institution recognizes the need for employees to voice concerns and grievances and to seek resolution to problems or disagreements with other employees. The institution also recognizes that it is the responsibility of the employee to express their concerns in a professional and ethical manner. For the protection of all concerned parties, all public comments about a grievance will be avoided by the concerned parties during the grievance process. Any announcement of the final decision, when appropriate, will include a statement by the Campus Dean and the Provost or President. In the interest of truth and justice, the President, on rare circumstances, may approve the release of excerpts, or the complete record of, the grievance hearing, to appropriate parties. The grievance hearing procedures below will serve as the employee grievance process for VCOM. The legal counsel for the institution must be made aware of all informal and formal grievances and of any release of information made in relation to the grievance.

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