Instructional Grievances
If a student has concerns regarding classroom management, policies, conduct, instructional methods or effectiveness, or fairness of evaluation, the student is expected to first attempt to resolve their concerns with the instructor, within 10 instructional days of the concern. If the student’s concerns are not resolved with the instructor, the student may file a formal grievance within ten instructional days of the instructor’s response, to the Curriculum Dean for curriculum classes, or the Executive Dean of Continuing Education for continuing education classes.
The formal grievance must be submitted in writing and must include:
- A full explanation of the student’s grievance;
- A substantive summary of the factual basis on which the grievance is based;
- Any documentation or evidence that supports the grievance; and
- A description and evidence of the attempt to resolve the concern/grievance with the instructor.
The student may consult and request assistance in preparing a written grievance from their academic advisor, a counselor, or the Executive Dean of Student Development. The College will not review anonymous grievances. Written grievances may be sent by e-mail from a WCC e-mail account, or by postal mail to the appropriate dean.
The Curriculum Dean or Executive Dean of Continuing Education will conduct a formal investigation, establish and consider all the facts, render a decision as to the validity of the claimed grievance, and take appropriate action to address the student’s grievance. The student will be notified of the decision by certified/return receipt mail, to the student’s address of record.
The student may appeal the decision of the dean within 10 instructional days of the dean’s decision, by submitting a written grievance to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The written appeal must include the information described above. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will conduct the final review and render a decision. The student will be notified by certified/return receipt mail to the student’s address of record last listed in the student’s permanent file. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs is final.
General Grievances
If a student has concerns regarding non-academic College policies and procedures, or their experience at the College, that are not specifically covered by another complaint/appeals process, the student should direct those concerns to the Executive Dean of Student Development. If the student’s concerns cannot be resolved informally, the student may file a formal grievance with the Executive Dean of Student Development.
The formal written grievance must be submitted in writing and must include the following:
- A full explanation of the student’s grievance;
- A substantive summary of the factual basis on which the grievance is based;
- Any documentation or evidence that supports the grievance; and
- A description and evidence of the attempt to resolve the concern/grievance.
The student may request assistance in preparing a written grievance from their academic advisor or a counselor. The College will not review anonymous grievances. Written grievances may be sent by e-mail from a WCC account, or by postal mail to the Executive Dean of Student Development.
The Executive Dean of Student Development will conduct a formal investigation, establish and consider all the facts, render a decision as to the validity of the claimed grievance, and take appropriate action to address the student’s grievance. The student will be notified of the outcome by certified/return receipt mail, to the student’s address of record.
Grievance Procedure for Accommodations:
Should disputes arise between the student and an instructor as to the delivery of services or accommodations, the student must first contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator/Counselor for assistance. If the dispute remains unresolved, the student may follow the Grievance Procedures described in the Catalog.
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
If a matter remains unresolved after a student has exhausted the College’s complaint or grievance procedures, a formal complaint may be filed with the North Carolina Community Colleges System Office (NCCCSO). Students are required to complete the WCC complaint process before escalating issues to the NCCCSO. The scope of the review done by the NCCCSO will be limited to ensuring college processes have been followed, and ensuring that State Board code has been followed. Additional information about state-level complaint procedures can be found on the NCCCSO website: Filing a Complaint Against the College After Completing the College’s Grievance Procedure | NC Community Colleges.