Student Grievance Policy and Procedure

UCSB works to achieve compliance with all legislation that seeks to eliminate discrimination toward students.

Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, and pregnancy. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended, and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, prohibit discrimination for uniformed service. Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 prohibits discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment. Policy action by the Regents of the University of California prohibits discrimination on the basis of age and sexual orientation.

The student grievance policy and procedure may be accessed here.

For more information, or to obtain a paper copy of the student grievance policy and procedure, students may contact any of the following campus resources:

Office of Vice Chancellor—Student Affairs
Margaret Klawunn, Vice Chancellor
Cheadle Hall 5203, (805) 893-3651

Title IX Compliance and Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Office
Ariana Alvarez, Director, Title IX Officer, and Local Implementation Officer
Phelps Hall 3211, (805) 893-2546
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Office of Student Life
Katya Armistead, Assistant Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students
Student Resource Building (SRB) 2nd floor, (805) 893-4569

Office of the Vice Chancellor Administrative Service
Becky Steiger, Policy Coordinator, Campus Privacy Officer, and ADA Compliance Officer
4219 Cheadle Hall, (805) 893-7025

Women, Gender and Sexual Equity
Betsy Kaminski, Director of Women, Gender, and Sexual Equity
Women's Center, (805) 893-3778

Disabled Students Program
Jane Castillón, Director
2120 Student Resource Building (SRB), (805) 893-2668

Office of the Ombuds
Girvetz Hall 1205-K, (805) 893-3285

Associated Students
Main Office
UCen, Room 1523, (805) 893-2566

Graduate Division
Robert Hamm, Assistant Dean
Cheadle Hall 3117, (805) 893-2013

Student Life & Academic Support Services
Student Resource Building (SRB) 2nd floor, (805) 893-8749

Any student who wishes to file a grievance arising from alleged discrimination should consult the UCSB Policy on Student Grievances, available here www.sa.ucsb.edu/policies/student-grievance-procedure:

Grade disputes are not within the scope of this policy unless the grade appeal is based, in whole or in part, on claims of discrimination based on race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, age, sex, gender, veteran’s status, genetic information, or citizenship. Grade appeals not involving a claim of discrimination are filed with the Academic Senate. Please visit the Academic Senate's website (Appendix 5) for more information.

Click here for more information on UCSB's Sexual Harassment policy.

Student Grievance Procedure

Who	What	Where	When*
Student	Files Formal Complaint; if student plans to be assisted by a representative, provides written notice as to representative’s name and whether the representative is an attorney	Office of the Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs	Within 180 days of the alleged conduct
Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs	Forwards complaint	(1) To designated investigator; (2) To department where the alleged conduct occurred; (3) To the Director, Equal; Opportunity and Discrimination Prevention Office; (4) Appropriate Compliance Officer(s); and (5) Academic Senate, if it involves a Grade Appeal	Within 5 days of receipt of complaint
Department/Unit Head	Files written answer to charges	With designated investigator(s)	Within 10 days of receipt of grievance
Investigator(s)	Examines circumstances of charge and reports findings	To Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs	Within 30 days of the Vice Chancellor’s initial receipt of the grievance
Student	Presents Written Request for Formal Hearing; indicates preference for Hearing Officer or Committee	To Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs	Within 10 days of receipt of investigator'(s) report
Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs	Arranges for an impartial hearing by the Hearing Officer or Committee	Campus location	Within 30 days of the student’s request for hearing.
Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs	Notifies grievant and Department or Unit Head of the hearing time and place	Personally or by registered mail	15 days before hearing date
Each party	Exchanges evidence	To be agreed upon	No later than 7 days before the hearing
Hearing Officer or Committee	Reports findings; makes recommendations	To Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs	Within 30 days after hearing
Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs	Makes decision based on the recommendation of the Hearing entity for appropriate remedy if a violation has been found	(1) To both parties and their representatives, if any; (2) To Director, Equal Opportunity and Discrimination Prevention Office; and Appropriate Compliance Officer(s), if any	Within 15 days of receipt of the report from the hearing entity.
Student	Files appeal	To Chancellor	Within 30 days from the date of the decision
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs	Retains record of grievance hearing records	Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs	5 years after the end of the academic year in which the grievance is closed.

*All times referred to shall be working days.