Policy and Procedures for Handling Complaints Made Against Benedict College

Policy:

• Complaints made against Benedict College, other than complaints made by students currently
  enrolled at the College, are reviewed and resolved following a systematic and expeditious process, with the Office of the Chief of Staff serving as the central repository for the record of
  the proceedings and resolution of all complaints.

Procedure:

• A person who expresses a complaint about Benedict College must first attempt to resolve the
  complaint by working with the person(s) and office with which the complaint originated. If a resolution is not reached with this attempt, the person working with the complaint will advise
  the complainant to state his/her complaint in writing, using the Written Complaint and Resolution Form, and submit it to the head of the applicable department. The written complaint
  must be stated clearly, to include:
  • Complainant’s name, contact information, date of filing the complaint, and signature
  • Nature and details of the complaint, including date of occurrence and a detailed description of the incident that resulted in the complaint
  • The complainant’s proposed resolution to the complaint
    The complaint should be filed as soon as possible after the incident occurs; if this is not feasible,
    the complaint should be filed within 90 days.
  • The administrative office that receives the Written Complaint and Resolution Form takes the following actions:
  • Initiates a record of handling the complaint, using the Written Complaint and Resolution Form, and forwards a copy to the Office of the Chief of Staff for tracking
  • Compiles all information necessary for addressing the complaint, which may include conferences with the complainant and consultations with other staff and administrators, and reaches a resolution to the
    complaint
  • Provides a written resolution to the complainant, with a copy to the Office of the Chief of Staff
  • Completes the Written Complaint and Resolution Form, files a copy in the respective office, and forwards a copy to the Office of the Chief of Staff
• The complaint should be resolved within sixty (60) days from the date the complaint is filed.
• If the complainant disagrees with the resolution and wishes to pursue the matter further, he/she may appeal to the President of the College.
• The final appeal for written complaints against Benedict College is to the President of the College.
• The Office of the Chief of Staff maintains the records of the proceedings and resolutions of all complaints
  against Benedict College.
• If the complainant disagrees with the President’s resolution and wishes to pursue the matter further, he/she has the right to contact the SC Commission on Higher Education at https://www.che.sc.gov/CHE_Docs/AcademicAffairs/License/Complaint_procedures_and_form.pdf