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GRIEVANCE AND CONDUCT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Altamaha Technical College, in compliance with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) is committed to ensuring an environment for all students and employees that is fair, humane, and respectful; an environment that supports and rewards students and employees on the basis of relevant considerations, and is free from illegal or inappropriate conduct. The TCSG and Altamaha Technical College expect standards of professional behavior that exceed those minimally prescribed by law.

Student Grievances

For students who wish to file a complaint or grievance regarding application of Altamaha Technical College or Technical College System of Georgia policy or procedure, i.e. student advisement, improper disclosure of grades, unfair testing procedures, etc., there is an informal process and a formal procedure.

A student has 10 business days from the date of the incident being grieved to resolve their complaint informally by approaching their instructor, academic dean or any other staff or faculty member directly involved in the grieved incident. If this process does not result in a resolution of the grievance, the student may proceed to the formal grievance procedure.

Step 1:  Within 15 business days from the date of the incident being grieved, the student must file a formal grievance in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs with the following information:

A.    Name

B.    Date

C.    Brief description of the incident being grieved

D.    Remedy requested

E.    Signed, and informal remedy attempted by student and outcome

If the grievance is against the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA), or his/her designee, the student shall file the grievance with the Office of the President.

Step 2:  The Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA), or his/her designee, will investigate the matter and supply a written response to the student within 15 business days.

This procedure does not address complaints related to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or grade/attendance appeals.  Issues which have a separate process for resolution (i.e. disciplinary sanctions, FERPA, financial aid, academic grades, etc.) are not grievable and a student must take advantage of the process in place

 Standardized Student Grievance Form

Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination Complaints

Equal Opportunity Complaint or Appeal

Altamaha Technical College will receive and respond to complaints arising within the areas of compliance described for Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title IX barring sex discrimination, Title VI and Title VII barring discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, religion or gender.  The designated College Title IV, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator is the Cathy Montgomery, ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, Office 174.  Katrina Howard, Human Resources Coordinator, Office 132 is the Title IX/Equity designated coordinator.  

The claimant should contact:

Cathy Montgomery, ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, Office 174, (912) 427-6265;  or Katrina Howard, Human Resources Coordinator, Office 132 (912) 427-5876

Hazlehurst Campus 

667 Douglas Highway

Hazlehurst, GA  31539

Jeannie Crosby, Main Office, (912) 379-0041

Baxley Campus 

1334 Golden Isles Pkwy., W

Baxley, GA  31513

Joann White; Main Office, 912-367-1700

Golden Isles Campus 

4404 Glynco Parkway

Brunswick, GA  31525

Tim Woodward, Student Affairs Director, Office 280 (912) 280-4000 ext. 4217

Camden Campus 

1800 The Lakes Blvd.

Kingsland, GA  31548

Laura Fish, Office 140, (912) 510-3327 

as appropriate and his/her Academic Dean to resolve the complaint informally.  If this process does not result in a resolution of the grievance, the student may need to proceed to the formal grievance procedure.  (Please see the full grievance Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination Complaint procedure in the Catalog and Student Handbook.)

Sexual Harassment Complaint

Altamaha Technical College does not tolerate sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and is a violation of state and federal law.  It is the intent of Altamaha Technical College to provide an academic and work environment free of any type of harassment including sexual harassment for all students and employees. Supervisors, managers, and instructors are instructed not to date students or employees they supervise or make unwelcome sexual advances toward any student or employee.  A pervasive, sexual harassing, abusive and/or demeaning atmosphere may be created by off-color jokes, teasing and name calling, picture pin-ups and other types of words, acts, or displays.  A violation of this policy will constitute grounds for disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Any student or employee who feels subjected to sexual harassment should report the incident immediately to the Human Resources Specialist at (912)427-5876.  All employees are instructed to take immediate action to ensure that students and employees are not subjected to any form of sexual or other harassment.  This action may be formal or informal depending on the circumstances.  If appropriate, the individual receiving the complaint shall forward it to the Human Resources Specialist to be thoroughly investigated so that proper disciplinary action, if necessary, may be taken.  (Please see the full grievance Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination Complaint procedure in the Catalog and Student Handbook.)

Formal Unlawful Harassment Complaint

All students are encouraged to report events of unlawful harassment, discrimination, and/or unlawful retaliation against themselves or others.  Reports can initially be expressed in writing, by telephone, or in person; however, the report will ultimately be required to be in writing on the Student Grievance Form.  A formal complaint shall be in writing and shall set forth a statement of the facts, the Technical College policy(ies), procedure(s) or law allegedly violated and the specific remedy sought.  Students shall utilize Altamaha Technical College’s Standardized Student Grievance form located on the College website or by hard copy from the Student Affairs Office or the Human Resources Specialist.

All complaints of unlawful harassment, discrimination, or unlawful retaliation shall be investigated thoroughly.  For more information, see the full Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination Complaint Policy in the Catalog and Student Handbook.

Retaliation in any form against individuals bringing grievances is prohibited and will subject the offender to disciplinary action. In many instances it is also a violation of state and federal law. An individual who initiates a fraudulent or bad faith claim or charge shall also be subject to disciplinary action.

Student Code of Conduct Complaints

Altamaha Technical College is committed to ensuring an environment that is fair, humane, respectful, and free from illegal or inappropriate conduct.  The Student Code of Conduct defines the rights and responsibilities of Altamaha Technical College Students.  This policy details prescribed conduct by students on Altamaha Technical College premises and during events sponsored by or affiliated with Altamaha Technical College.  .  Student Disciplinary Procedure describes judicial process established for dealing with students who have violated the Code, including charges and hearings, sanctions, interim suspensions, and appeals. The full Student Code of Conduct and Student Disciplinary Procedure are available in the Altamaha Technical College Catalog and Student Handbook.

 Student Conduct Complaint Form

If the College’s response to a student grievance does not satisfy the student’s concern, the student may contact Altamaha Technical College’s accrediting commission, Council on Occupational Education, 41 Perimeter Center East, N.E., Suite 640, Atlanta, GA  30346: telephone (770) 396-3898.