Student Grievance Procedure for Internal Complaints of Discrimination and Harassment

The Art Institute of Seattle does not discriminate or harass on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion or any other characteristic protected by state, local or federal law, in our programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries and coordinate the school's compliance efforts regarding the non-discrimination policy: James Robson, Dean of Student Affairs, 5th Floor of North Campus, 206-239-2290. Students who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment in violation of this policy should follow the procedure outlined below. This complaint procedure is intended to provide a fair, prompt and reliable determination about whether The Art Institute of Seattle non-discrimination policy has been violated.

1. Complainants are encouraged to file a complaint as soon as possible after an alleged incident of discrimination has occurred. Any student who chooses to file a discrimination complaint should do so for non-academic or academic matters with the Dean of Student Affairs, 5th Floor of North Campus, 206-239-2290. The complaint should be presented in writing and it should describe the alleged incident(s) and any corrective action sought. The complaint should be signed by the complainant. In most cases, the person accused of discrimination will be notified of the complaint by the Dean of Student Affairs or his designee.
2. The person accused of discrimination will have fourteen calendar days to respond to the complaint in writing. The signed written response should be submitted to the Dean of Student Affairs or his designee.
3. The Dean of Student Affairs or his designee will investigate the allegations. Both the complainant and the accused will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the allegations with the investigator and may offer any witnesses in support of their position to the investigator during the course of the investigation. A student may be accompanied during investigation meetings and discussions by one person (family member, friend, etc.) who can act as an observer, provide emotional support, and/or assist the student in understanding and cooperating in the investigation. The observer may not be an attorney, unless otherwise required by local law. The investigator may prohibit from attending or remove any person who disrupts the investigation in the investigatoršs sole discretion.
4. The Dean of Student Affairs or his designee will determine whether a violation of The Art Institute of Seattle's non-discrimination policy has occurred. The Dean of Student Affairs or his designee will issue a written determination as promptly as practicable. If the Dean of Student Affairs or his designee determines that the policy has been violated, the Dean of Student Affairs or his designee will also recommend corrective action.
5. The decision of the Dean of Student Affairs or his designee may be appealed by petitioning the President's Office of The Art Institute of Seattle. The written appeal must be made within twenty calendar days of receipt of the determination letter from the Dean of Student Affairs or his designee. The President, or her designee, will render a written decision on the appeal within thirty calendar days from receipt of the appeal. This decision shall be final.
6. Matters involving general student complaints will be addressed according to the Student Complaint Procedures, a copy of which can be found in the Student Handbook.

For more information about your rights under the federal laws prohibiting discrimination, please contact the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education or visit the website at http://www.ed.gov/ocr.