De La Salle University - Manila

Student Grievance

As befits Christians in an academic community, grievances against any member of the academic community are best settled through sincere dialogue and discussion. It is only as a last resort that one must take formal procedures to settle such grievances. Proper communication is absolutely necessary if the academic community is to interact satisfactorily. If something goes wrong, those affected should not wait for a crisis situation to appear but should attempt to settle the matter as soon as possible, informally (i.e., orally). As long as grievance is made orally, it is considered informal and is to be settled informally. Only when a grievance is expressed in writing and duly signed does it become a formal complaint needing a formal procedure for settlement.

Procedures

1. Individual Student's Complaint Against a Faculty Member
   
   • The student presents his complaint to the faculty member concerned not later than two weeks after the start of the subsequent term.
   • If the complaining student feels that the faculty member to whom the complaint was addressed has not attended to the complaint within forty-eight (48) or seventy-two (72) hours (in the case of part-time faculty members), excluding weekends, as the case may be, from date the complaint was received, complainant shall file the complaint with the department chair concerned.
   • If the complaint is not resolved at the level of the department chair within 48 hours (72 hours for a case involving part-time faculty), excluding weekends, the complainant may elevate the case to the college dean.
   • Immediately after receipt of the complaint, the dean convenes the College Ad Hoc Grievance Committee which shall resolve the complaint as soon as possible, preferably within a week.
   • Any party not satisfied with the decision rendered may file an appeal for reconsideration with the Office of the Vice President for Academics stating the grounds thereof. Within five school days from receipt of the written decision, provided neither party has availed of such remedy within the prescribed period, the decision of the Vice President for Academics shall become final and executory. Corresponding action may be recommended to the appropriate body on campus.
     
     
2. Complaint Against a Faculty Member by a Class
   
   • Class members will present a written complaint, duly signed by at least 50-percent plus one of the class, to the faculty member concerned through an elected representative not later than two weeks or ten (10) class days excluding weekends after the start of the subsequent term.
   • If the class feels that the complaint has not been attended to by the faculty member to whom the complaint was addressed within forty-eight (48) hours, in the case of full-time faculty members, or seventy-two (72) hours, in the case of part-time faculty members, from date the complaint was received, the class shall file a formal complaint, signed by a majority (50 percent + 1) of the class with the Chairperson concerned. For this purpose, the class creates a committee of three to see the Chairperson concerned.
     The Chairperson to whom the formal complaint has been filed has 48 or 72 hours, as the case may be, to investigate and resolve the complaint.
     
   • If the class feels that action on the complaint has not been taken after the prescribed time, the class representatives may present their complaint to the Dean.
   • After receipt of the complaint, the Dean convenes the College Ad Hoc Grievance Committee which resolves the complaint within one week.
   • Any party not satisfied with the decision may file a motion for reconsideration stating the ground thereof. Within five days from receipt of the decision, provided neither party has availed of such remedy within the prescribed period, the decision of the Committee becomes final and executory. Corresponding action may be recommended to the appropriate body on campus.
     
     
3. Individual Student's Complaint Against a College Administrator
   
   • The student submits a complaint to the Administrator concerned. The Administrator concerned should acknowledge receipt of the letter. The dean has 72 hours to settle the complaint.
   • If the student is not satisfied with any action taken, he or she may appeal to the immediate supervisor of the administrator complained of.
     
     
4. Sexual Harassment Any complaint on sexual harassment should be handled in accordance with the University policies, rules and regulations implementing R.A.
   7877, otherwise known as the "Sexual Harassment Act."
   
   • The University is committed to the prevention of sexual harassment of students, defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
     • submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition for a student's educational advancement;
     • submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as the basis for academic considerations affecting the student; and
     • such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with a student's academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment.
   • Any student having a complaint of sexual harassment should follow the steps outlined in this Section. The student complainant may forward his/her complaint to the respondent's superior in cases deemed necessary.
     
     
5. Procedures Common to 1 - 4 All pleadings shall be in writing and include the complaint, answer, memorandum, recommendation, decision as well as transcripts of all proceedings to be signed by parties concerned. All records of grievance cases shall be filed and maintained in the office of the EVP.

Composition and Powers of the Ad Hoc Student Grievance Committee

1. Composition
   The Ad Hoc Grievance Committee composed of the Graduate Studies Director, who shall act as Chair, the Chair/Graduate Program Coordinator of the Department to which the respondent faculty member belongs, two (2) student representatives, and representative from the Faculty Association coming from the college to which the respondent belongs.
   
   
2. Powers
   Authority to summon witnesses as well as resource persons to assist in arriving at a decision in the case:
   • to have access to all information relevant to the case
   • to recommend appropriate measures consistent with its findings in the case
   • to define the procedures to be followed in the conduct of the hearing.