Student Disability Services Grievance Process
Student grievance process
Central Michigan University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. It is committed to protecting the constitutional and statutory civil rights of persons connected with the university.
Unlawful acts of discrimination or harassment by members of the campus community are prohibited.
In addition, even if not illegal, acts are prohibited if they discriminate against any university community member(s) through inappropriate limitation of access to, or participation in, educational, employment, athletic, social, cultural, or other university activities on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight. Furthermore, even if not illegal, acts are prohibited if they discriminate against any university community member(s) through inappropriate limitation of access to, or participation in, educational, employment, athletic, social, cultural, or other university activities because they inquired about, discussed, or disclosed the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.
Limitations are appropriate if they are directly related to a legitimate university purpose, are required by law or rules of associations to which the Board of Trustees has determined the university will belong, are lawfully required by a grant or contract between the university and the state or federal government.
The president is directed to promulgate practices and procedures to realize this policy. The procedures shall include the identification of an office to which persons are encouraged to report instances of discrimination and a process for the investigation and resolution of these reports/complaints.
CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter. Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU’s Title IX coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s assistant secretary, or both. CMU’s Title IX coordinator can be reached at:
103 E. Preston St.,
Bovee University Center, Suite 306
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Email: titleix@cmich.edu
Phone: 989-774-3253
Student complaint procedures
Students may have concerns related to their academic program, their employment status, their access to public accommodations, or their participation in university programs, services and events. Similarly, students may have concerns regarding their treatment by faculty, staff members, administrators, other students or members of the public engaged in university programs, services and events. Regardless of the source or context of the concern, students are encouraged to raise concerns when they become aware of them to increase the likelihood of a prompt and effective resolution.
A student who has questions or concerns regarding the university’s legal obligations under federal or state disability laws, who believes that the university is not meeting its legal obligations and responsibilities, or who believes that they have been discriminated against because of a disability should follow the following complaint procedure. When an allegation is found to have merit, the university will take steps to prevent recurrence of the discrimination and to correct discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, as appropriate.
The options outlined below are intended to provide general guidance to help students get their concerns addressed as early as possible.
Option 1: Consult with a staff member in Student Disability Services or the campus ombudsperson
Many concerns can be resolved effectively and informally when you bring them to the appropriate person’s attention in a timely manner. A Student Disability Services staff member or the ombudsperson can assist you in identifying the best person or office to help you resolve your complaint.
Option 2: Consult with the director of Student Disability Services
The director of Student Disability Services should be made aware of your unresolved concerns/complaint when you are unable to get your issue resolved. If your concern is with the director, you should contact the associate vice president for Student Affairs.
Option 3: Consult with the Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity
Information on how to file a complaint regarding discrimination or unlawful harassment and information regarding the investigative procedures used by the Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity are available on their website under the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Protocol.