SAS Grievance Procedures
Kent State Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center Grievance Procedure
Student Accessibility Services
The office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) aids students with varying degrees and types of disabilities in order to maximize educational opportunity and academic potential. Â鶹´«Ã½ affirms this principle of equal access in its equal opportunity policies found in 3342-5-16 and 3342-5-16.1. SAS supports students in their right to file a grievance when he or she believes they have been denied equal access either in the form of eligibility, appropriate and reasonable accommodations, and/or auxiliary aids, or believe they have experienced discriminatory harassment as defined in the University’s nondiscrimination policies, Ohio Revised Code 4112, Sections 501 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
SAS encourages students to present their complaints by following the four-step process outlined below. Note that students are permitted to directly file a complaint with the University’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EO/AA), the State of Ohio Civil Rights Commission, or the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, although the steps outlined below are encouraged as an initial response. Students are also encouraged to review the University’s Policy Register regarding academic and non-academic grievance policies. Students may also contact the Student Ombuds Office to discuss their academic rights under relevant University policies.
Complaints related to a student’s disability should be immediately brought to the attention of SAS staff. The SAS office will serve as the University’s primary point of contact in initially reviewing student disability-related matters. It is expected that University offices, such as the Assistant Dean, SAS, EO/AA and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), will consult as appropriate and as necessary. It is expected that student complaints are addressed in as expeditious manner as possible, understanding that each case requires additional time as set forth in University policies and procedures.
Four Steps to Addressing and Resolving a Complaint:
1. SAS Office – Students should present and discuss the complaint with his or her Accessibility Specialist in the SAS office located at Twinsburg Academic Center office 133B or Geauga Campus (Burton) office 143. The SAS office recommends that the student bring their complaint to the SAS coordinator’s attention as soon as possible so that measures can be taken. The SAS office may consult with the appropriate University personnel depending on the nature and scope of the complaint. The student and the SAS office will engage in an interactive process in order to attempt to resolve the issue. Resolution of the presented issue
may be reached at this level. However, if a resolution is not reached students should proceed to the following step.
2. Assistant Dean – The student must file a written appeal to the Assistant Dean’s office or his or her designee within 15 business days following the undesired outcome of step one. The Assistant Dean will review the student’s written appeal, which may include consulting with the student, and will respond within 15 business days* following receipt of the written appeal. The following information must be included in the written appeal:
• A detailed description of the complaint
• Any supporting documentation for the complaint and/or appeal
• Outcome summary from step one
• Resolution sought by student
Resolution of the presented issue may be reached at this level. However, if a resolution is not reached students should proceed to the following step.
3. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action – The student should submit a written appeal within 15 business days* following the unsatisfactory outcome of step two to the Office of EO/AA. The EO/AA will consult with the student to determine whether informal resolution should be attempted or whether the EO/AA will implement a Level Two Formal Investigation and respond within 30 business days* per policy 3342-5-16.1. The following information must be included in the written appeal:
• A detailed description of the original complaint and appeal
• Any supporting documentation for the complaint and/or appeal
• Resolution sought by student
• The written response from the Assistant Dean from step two
Resolution of the presented issue may be reached at this level. However, if a resolution is not reached, the complainant has exhausted the internal University complaint procedures.
4. Offices for Civil Rights – If resolution was not met by step three, the student may choose to file a complaint with the State of Ohio’s Civil Rights Commission. Additionally, a student may contact the Ohio Legal Rights Services. The preceding agencies will accept complaints and investigate according to their policies and procedures. *Summer session, holidays and inter-semester breaks including Spring Break and Winter Break are not included in the time frame of 15 or 45 business days.
SAS Grievance Procedure Contact Information:
Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
Geauga Campus
14111 Claridon-Troy Road Burton, Ohio 44021
Twinsburg Academic Center
2745 Creekside Drive, Twinsburg, OH 44087
Academic Services Coordinator:
Nancy Rahn, Ed.D
330-888-6314
Assistant Dean, Â鶹´«Ã½ at Geauga
Robin Dever, PhD
Email:rdever2@kent.edu
Phone:440-834-3720
Fax:440-834-8846
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Human Resources
Terrace Hall Annex P.O. Box 5190 Kent, OH 44242
Phone: 330-672-2901
http://www.kent.edu/hr/aa/index.cfm
The Division of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Executive Office, Rm. 252 Library P.O. Box 5190 Kent, OH 44242
Phone: 330-672-2442
http://www.kent.edu/diversity/index.cfm
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
Phone: (312) 886-8434
TDD: (312) 353-2540
Fax: (312)353-4888
Ohio Civil Rights Commission
The Cleveland Regional Office
Phone: (216) 787-3150
TDD: (216) 787-3549