Grievance Procedures

Spelman College Commitment to Accessibility and Inclusion

Spelman College is dedicated to fostering a learning and work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, ensuring equal access to educational programs and activities for all students, including those with disabilities. The College complies with all relevant laws prohibiting discrimination based on disability, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

• If you believe you have experienced discrimination due to a disability, please contact the Student Access Office or use the online reporting form to file a complaint.
• If an instructor or other College faculty or staff member has denied a reasonable accommodation that has been determined by the Student Access Office, please reach out to the Student Access Office immediately to ensure timely provision of access.
• If you have concerns regarding the determination or implementation of an accommodation, please follow the steps below:

Step 1:
Contact the Student Access Office and request to speak or meet with an access specialist. You and the access specialist will discuss the concern and work toward a resolution.

Step 2:
If you are unsatisfied with the resolution proposed by the access specialist, you may submit a written or recorded complaint to the director of the Student Access Office. The complaint should include the following information:

• Your name, address, email address, and phone number
• A complete description of your concern
• A description of the efforts made to resolve the concern with the student
• Access office/the access specialist
• A statement of the resolution you are requesting

Upon receiving the complaint, the director of the Student Access Office will provide written acknowledgment and promptly initiate a review of the matter. After completing the review, the director will prepare and send a written response.

Step 3:
If Step 2 does not resolve the grievance, you may appeal the Director’s determination to the associate vice president for Student Affairs. To initiate an appeal, submit a written or recorded request to the director of the Student Access Office within 10 days of receiving the director’s written reply in Step 2. The director will forward your complaint to the associate vice president for Student Affairs for additional review. The associate vice president will conduct a thorough review of the complaint, which may be informal. A written decision on the grievance will be issued within 10 business days of the appeal submission. This decision by the associate vice president for Student Affairs is deemed a final determination by the College.