WAC 132W-300-060   Formal grievance procedures.  If the parties are unable to resolve the complaint informally through the one of the options listed in WAC 132W-300-050 above,, the grievance shall be resolved in the following manner.

     (1) Requirements. In order to conduct an adequate investigation, and resolve the complaint as fully and justly as possible the following requirements shall be in force:

     (a) All grievances must be in writing and shall include: The date and time of the alleged incident; the name of the individual or group whom the complaint is against, if known; a statement of the incident; the remedy being sought; the name(s) of the grievant(s); the grievant's relationship to the college (i.e., student, faculty, classified, administrator, or applicant); and must include the signature of the grievant(s), and the date which the grievance is signed.

     (b) Evidence used to substantiate the claim(s) should be submitted at step 1. Evidence not introduced at step 1 and not brought out during the investigation, (step 2), will not be considered in preparing the finding of fact or conclusions.

     (c) Grievances must be submitted within thirty calendar days of the date of the alleged incident, or the date the grievant knew or should have known of the incident.

     (2) Grievance Procedures

     STEP 1. Reporting the incident. The grievant shall report the incident, in writing, and submit the report to the dean of the north campus, the director of personnel services or the multicultural affairs coordinator within thirty calendar days of the date of the alleged incident, or the date the grievant knew or should have known of the incident. Grievances filed with the dean of the north campus will be delivered to the director of personnel services within five calendar days. Incidents reported after thirty days will not be considered. Reports which do not conform to the requirements specified in F.1.a) above may be dropped if insufficient information is available, and the grievant or other witnesses are not able to provide further information.

     STEP 2. Investigation. Complaints may be handled by either an internal or outside investigator, as determined by the district president. The district president shall appoint an investigator to conduct an investigation and prepare findings of fact and conclusions. If the complaint is against the district president or a member or members of the board of trustees, the board of trustees may designate an outside investigator. A written report of findings and conclusions shall be submitted to the district president within thirty calendar days of the college's receipt of the grievance. In the case of a complaint against the district president or a member or members of the board of trustees, the written report shall be submitted to the board of trustees. The investigator may request, and the district president or board of trustees may grant, up to thirty additional days to complete the investigation for good cause.

     STEP 3. Outcome and feedback. The district president board chair, or board of trustees as a whole shall send a copy of the report to the grievant, the accused, and the appropriate supervisor within ten calendar days. Each recipient may respond in writing to the district president or the board of trustees within ten days of the date the report was sent.

     STEP 4. Action. The district president board chair, or board of trustees as a whole shall determine the appropriate course of action, including any disciplinary action to be taken, within ten calendar days after a response was due. Such action shall be in accordance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations, district policies, and the appropriate negotiated agreement(s).



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 28B.50 RCW. 01-14-016, § 132W-300-060, filed 6/25/01, effective 7/26/01.]