Grievance Procedures Across Campus

What is a grievance?

A “grievance” is a formal complaint by a student or a graduate employee (GE) alleging a violation of the university policy or the collective bargaining agreement, or a decision that was arbitrary, capricious, or unequal in application and had an adverse impact on the student involved. We have different grievance systems that protect different groups at the University of Oregon. 

 

What kind of formal grievance may I file?

The problem is related to my academic program but IS NOT a case of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.
For the violation of university policy and/or the decision or action that is deemed to be arbitrary, capricious, or unequal in application, file an academic grievance.
The problem is related to my academic program and IS a case of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
File an academic grievance AND submit a report of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance (OICRC).
The problem is related to my Graduate Employee (GE) role but IS NOT a case of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
Review GE grievance information and consult Article 13 Section 5 of the GTFF Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The problem is related to my GE role and IS a case of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
Review GE grievance information and consult Article 13 Section 7 of the GTFF Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The problem is related to my disability.
If you have concerns about disability-related support or procedures provided by the Accessible Education Center (AEC), or believe that you have not received reasonable accommodations, AEC encourages you to first communicate directly with your AEC Access Advisor.  Visit AEC's Concerns and Grievance Page for more information on how to resolve disability-related concerns, complaints, or issues.
I'm still unsure. If the problem does not seem related to my academic program and GE role, can I still file a grievance?
Still not sure? Consult with the Student Advocacy Program.

For graduate students considering or in the process of filing a student grievance, support is available through the Student Advocacy Program. Support includes initially consulting on grievable actions, learning more about the process, filing a formal grievance, preparing for appeals, and more. 

 

Academic Grievance   |   GE Grievance   |   Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation Report   |   Disability-Related Grievance   |   FAQ   |   Contact 

Academic Grievance

Academic grievance applies for the violation of university policy and/or the decision or action that is deemed to be arbitrary, capricious, or unequal in application. This is also known as a Student Grievance under Policy Number V.11.07.

A student can file an academic grievance against a faculty member, advisor, or program, school, college, or division's policy and/or decision or action.

Two Major Steps
  1. Informal Grievance: Before filing a formal grievance, students are encouraged to make at least one attempt to resolve the issue informally, if possible, with the person who made the grievable decision, or the academic program, unit, or college representatives who are designated to help resolve such issues.
  2. Formal Grievance: If the problem is still not solved, the student may file a formal grievance in writing and send it to the Step 1 decision maker listed on the Student Grievance website. If no decision maker is listed, or you are unsure on who to contact directly, consult the Student Advocacy Program.

 

Do you want to learn more?

 

Read about the Full Student Grievance Policy and Process

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GE Grievance

There are two scenarios for GE grievance.

  • If the issue includes or is related to prohibited discrimination, harassment, or retaliation:
Two Major Steps
  1. Support options: Students may consult with the Care and Advocacy Program or the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF).
  2. Formal Report: Follow the steps detailed in Article 13 Section 7 of the GTFF Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
  • For general GE grievances related to a violation, including but not limited to misinterpretation or improper application, of the terms of the CBA:
Two Major Steps
  1. Informal Grievance: Orally report the issue to the GE’s supervisor.
  2. Formal Grievance: If a CBA violation is identified, write grievance to head of operating unity within 10 days of decision of Step 1 with copy sent to the Division of Graduate Studies and the Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) team in the Human Resources office (and GTFF if grievance was not presented by a union representative)
  3. President: Write grievance to the President or designee within 10 days of decision of Step 2

Students may consult with the GTFF (department stewards and union officers) at any time before or during the process.

 

Do you want to learn more?

 

Read Article on Grievance Procedure in the Collective Bargaining Agreement

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Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation Report

The Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance (OICRC) responds to allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation as defined under the university’s Prohibited Discrimination and Retaliation Policy. 

Important information on reporting, the full investigation process, and available resources are available on the OICRC website.

Two Major Steps
  1. Informal Resolution: All students who have experienced discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are encouraged to speak with an advocate in the Care and Advocacy Program. Students who have experienced sex- or gender-based harassment or violence are eligible for 24/7 confidential services via the SAFE website.
  2. Formal Report: Submit a report using the online form.

 

Do you want to learn more?

 

Read Reporting Guide on the OICRC Website

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There are two scenarios for disability-related grievance:

Three major steps
  1. Informal Resolution: Contact your AEC Access Advisor
  2. Appeal: Meet with AEC’s Associate Director by calling (541) 346-1155, submitting an appointment request or emailing uoaec@uoregon.edu.
  3. Formal Report: Submit a formal complaint.
  • If a student IS NOT registered with AEC, they would follow the same steps as an OICRC report:
Two major steps
  1. Informal Resolution: All students who have experienced bias, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are encouraged to speak with an advocate in the Care and Advocacy Program.
  2. Formal Report: Submit a report to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance (OICRC) using the online form.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I know if my issue can be grieved?
Can I withdraw from the grievance if at some point I do not feel like pursuing it further?
 
How confidential and private are these processes?
Does a graduate student have to go through the grievance process alone or is a support person allowed?
 

How do I know if my issue can be grieved?

Students with questions about whether a decision is grievable, or to whom to submit the formal grievance, should consult the Student Advocacy Program.

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Can I withdraw from the grievance if at some point I do not feel like pursuing it further?

Students may choose to withdraw their grievance at any time by submitting a written notice to the decision maker who currently is considering the grievance.

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How confidential and private are these processes?

To the extent possible, the university will protect the privacy of grievants, witnesses and accused parties and will share information only with other university employees who have a legitimate need to know and/or as permitted by university policy and applicable laws. However, in order to investigate the matter, the university may need to reveal the identity of the grievant and relevant witnesses. Students/student employees also have rights under federal or state law to review records relating to an investigation. 

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Does a graduate student have to go through the grievance process alone or is a support person allowed?

Students must submit grievances on their own behalf but may designate a single support person to assist them in the grievance process. Support persons are not permitted to act or speak on behalf of the grievant, serve as a witness in the same matter, or disrupt any meetings; they may only assist in the process. All parties shall be responsible for the costs, if any, of their support persons.  Support persons may be available at no cost to the student via the Student Advocacy Program. 

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Questions?

If you have any other questions regarding grievances, consult with the Student Advocacy Program.

 

 

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