The University of Alaska will provide fair and expeditious procedures for students to contest actions or decisions that adversely affect them. These procedures will be published in student catalogs or handbooks. Students may direct a complaint to the MAU senior student services officer, the chief academic officer, the chief administrative services officer, or designee. This official will initiate action to resolve the complaint or will inform the student of the appropriate procedure, if any, for review of the action or decision in dispute. Actions or decisions of the Board of Regents or the substance of Regents Policy, University Regulation, and MAU rules and procedures are not subject to review pursuant to the provisions of this policy.

(11-20-98)

A. Informal Resolution Procedures

Unless specified to the contrary, the first step for a student to challenge a university action or decision will be to seek an informal resolution with the person responsible for the decision or action, or with the person's immediate supervisor.

B.  Formal Review Procedures

If the matter is not resolved informally, a student may submit a written statement to initiate one of the following formal review procedures. A request for formal dispute resolution may not be filed under more than one procedure, or more than once on an issue.

Each procedure will include at least one level of review prior to the final decision, and will provide due process appropriate to the issue.

1.  Review of Student Employment Decisions or Actions

Issues related to student employment will be reviewed in accordance with the grievance procedure specified in Regents' Policy on human resources, except as specifically modified by Regents' Policy on employment of students.

2.  Review of Academic Decisions or Actions

Challenges to academic decisions or actions of the faculty or academic administration will be reviewed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the accompanying regulation and in MAU rules and procedures. Appropriate issues for this procedure include such things as alleged arbitrary or capricious dismissal from or denial of admission to an academic program based upon academic considerations, or assignment of final grades. Only the course instructor or a review body, which will be composed of faculty and a non-voting student representative, may authorize a change in the assignment of a final grade.

3.  Review of University Judicial Decisions or Disciplinary Sanctions

Challenges of university judicial decisions or disciplinary sanctions related to behavioral or academic misconduct will be reviewed in accordance with procedures set forth in University Regulation on student rights and responsibilities and in MAU rules and procedures.

4.  Review of Administrative Decisions or Actions

Chancellors will be responsible for providing and promulgating MAU rules and procedures which provide a mechanism for students to challenge certain administrative decisions or actions not otherwise covered in this policy. Not all administrative decisions and actions will be subject to challenge.

C. Final Decision

At the end of the review proceedings the university will issue a written decision, identified as the "final decision," after which point the matter under dispute will not be reviewed further by the university. Notification of the final decision will be made in accordance with Regents' Policy on student rights and responsibilities regarding seeking further redress in the court system to university decisions and actions. (See also Regents' Policy 09.02.08 - Student Rights and Responsibilities: Final University Decision.)

(11-20-98)

Access to files pertaining to student disputes will be governed by state and federal laws and regulations, Regents' Policy, University Regulation, and MAU rules and procedures and may vary with the issue under review and the review process.

The university cannot guarantee confidentiality but will make a reasonable effort to preserve the legitimate privacy interests of the persons involved. In order to preserve the legitimate privacy interests of the persons involved, all participants in the proceedings will be expected to maintain confidentiality.

The person in charge of the review procedure may release information if appropriate permission from the parties is provided or if other applicable legal requirements are met.

(11-20-98)

Student dispute resolution proceedings will normally be closed. Requests for an open proceeding must be made by a party prior to the start of the proceeding. Such requests will be granted to the extent allowed by law unless the person in charge of the proceeding determines that all or part of a proceeding should be closed based upon considerations of fairness, justice, and other relevant factors. A party may choose an advisor to be present at all times during the proceedings.

The person in charge of the proceeding may direct that witnesses, but not the parties or their advisors, be excluded from the proceedings except during their testimony. The deliberations of the hearing panel or officer will be closed to the public and the parties.

(11-20-98)