DISCRIMINATION GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Cayuga Community College has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt, equitable, and confidential resolution of complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Complaints emerging from the Auburn Campus, the Fulton Campus, or any other operation for the college should be addressed to either the Affirmative Action Officer for employees (Director of Human Resources) or to the Affirmative Action Officer for students and those participating in college sponsored services and activities ( Director of Student Engagement) both at Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin Street, Auburn, NY 13021-3099, telephone number 315-255-1743. Should the person against whom the grievance is directed be the Affirmative Action Officer for the population from which the grievance originates, the case shall be handled by the other Affirmative Action Officer.

All parties concerned should make every reasonable effort to resolve the issue informally before pursuing the following Formal Complaint Procedure:

  1. A complaint must be submitted in writing, using the form provided by the Affirmative Action Officer, and contain the name and address of the complainant and a detailed description of the allegation(s) of discrimination.
  2. A complaint must be filed as soon as possible, but not later than forty-five (45) calendar days after the time of the alleged discrimination or after the complainant has reasonably learned of the alleged discrimination.
  3. An investigation, as may be appropriate and consistent with the institutional and legal requirements of confidentiality, shall be conducted by the Affirmative Action Officer following receipt of a discrimination complaint. This procedure consists of thorough investigations affording all interested persons an opportunity to submit information and documentation regarding the complaint. Interested persons shall include the complainant and the person(s) against whom the allegation(s) of discrimination have been made, and their respective representatives, if any.
  4. The investigation shall be completed and a written report of its results communicated to the complainant and other interested parties, generally within sixty (60) calendar days of receipt of the written complaint.
  5. The complainant can request a reconsideration of the complaint if dissatisfied with the determination of the Affirmative Action Officer. The request for reconsideration shall be made in writing within seven (7) calendar days of the complainant’s verified receipt of the written determination and shall be submitted by employees to the Dean of Administrative Services and by students and those participating in college sponsored services and activities to the Dean of Academic and Student Affairs. The dean to whom the complainant has appealed shall have access to case specific and relevant information, inquire as necessary and appropriate into the case, and shall make a determination and inform the complainant of such within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the request for reconsideration.
  6. The complainant who is dissatisfied with the decision of the aforementioned dean may appeal that determination in writing to the Office of the President within seven (7) calendar days of receiving said decision. The complainant shall set forth with particularity what remedy is being sought how the process has been violated, and/or why the decision reached is incorrect. Within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt of the appeal, the Office of the President shall review the decision to determine that there was compliance with stated procedures, that the process was fair and equitable, and that the outcome satisfies due process. A written determination shall be issued to the complainant and other interested parties.
  7. The complainant shall be informed of the right to file a complaint with the appropriate state or federal agency. The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of a complaint submitted hereunder shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other external remedies. This process shall neither supersede nor preempt any existing contract governing conditions of employment at this institution.
  8. Retaliation against any person who files a complaint of discrimination, participates in an investigation, or opposes a discriminatory employment or educational practice or policy is prohibited under college policy, and by state and federal law.

Note: The Affirmative Action Officer may extend the timelines within this policy for good cause.