Student Grievances

Students are protected against capricious, arbitrary, unreasonable, unlawful, false, malicious, or professionally inappropriate evaluations or behavior by an instructor, an employee, an administrator, an official of the College or another student. Student complaints may be classified as grievances and fall into four categories: Academic, Non-Academic, Discrimination, and Financial Aid Challenge.

• • Academic Grievance

    Academic Grievances involve grade disputes. If a student files a grievance relative to a grade, he/she must prove that “mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency” is the reason for the grade assignment.

    Students will need to follow the Academic Grievance process as outlined in AP5530:

    • Student Rights and Grievances - AP 5530
    • Level I Grievance Form
  • Non-Academic Grievance

    Grounds for non-academic grievances include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • Any act or threat of intimidation.
    • Any act or threat of physical aggression.
    • Arbitrary action, violation of student rights, or imposition of sanctions without proper regard to College policy as specified in the Education Code, Board Policies, and/or Administrative Procedures.
    • Course Repetition, Withdrawals, and Enrollment Fees: Students may file complaints related to course repetition, withdrawals or enrollment fees based on evidence of extenuating circumstances. Students should use the Petition for Exceptional Action form and provide supporting documentation. Action will be taken by the appropriate administrator or by the Board of Appeals. Petition for Exceptional Action forms can be found in the offices of Counseling, Admissions and Records, and Student Life. Petitions may be submitted through the Office of the Dean, Student Services for review by the Board of Appeals.
    • Non-Resident Reclassification: Complaints can be filed with the Board of Appeals by submitting a written appeal, including supporting documentation, to the Admissions and Records Office within 30 calendar days after notification of the final residency classification decision. Non-Resident Reclassification appeal procedures are posted on the College’s website: https://www.mtsac.edu/admissions/forms-and-publications.html

    Students will need to follow the Non-Academic Grievance process as outlined in AP5530: 

    • Student Rights and Grievances - AP 5530
    • Level I Grievance Form
  • Discrimination Grievance

    Students wishing to file discrimination complaints on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, sex or gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, martial status, immigration status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or on the basis of these perceived characteristics or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these perceived characteristics, and any other category of unlawful discrimination should contact the College’s Title IX/504 Compliance Officer/Equal Employment Opportunity Programs representative, located in the Office of Human Resources, Building 4, Room 1460, 909.274.4225. Additional information on discrimination can be found at the following links:

    • Non-discrimination: BP 3410  |  AP 3410
    • Prohibition of Harassment: BP 3430  |  AP 3430
    • Responding to Harassment Based on Sex Under Title IX: AP 3434
    • Discrimination and Harassment Investigations: AP 3435
    • Sexual Misconduct, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking: BP 3540  |  AP 3540
    • California Community Colleges Unlawful Discrimination Complaint Procedures
    • U.S. Department of Education: Office of Civil Rights 
    • Civil Rights Department   
  • Financial Aid Grievance

    Financial Aid students wishing to file a complaint regarding the financial aid process and/or determination should refer to the Right to Challenge section of Financial Aid Financial Aid Policies are posted on the Financial Aid's website.