Appeal & Grievance Procedures
Appeal Procedures: If a student is dissatisfied with a decision or action of a member of the faculty or staff, he/she may appeal that decision using the procedures outlined in this section. Appeals fall into the following areas: grade appeals, academic termination (dismissal) appeals, and adverse action appeals. If, after attempting to follow the steps below, a student believes he/she did not receive the appropriate due process or if the matter in dispute does not fall into one of these three areas, the student may file a grievance or complaint in accordance with the provisions in the following section.
Grade Appeal Procedure: A student who has a dispute with an instructor’s grading on a test, assignment, or the final grade in a course must follow the steps outlined below:
The student must first try to resolve the difference with the instructor involved. If the instructor agrees to the student’s request, the instructor will make the appropriate change in the grade book or submit a grade change through the Training Section Chief. If the student agrees with the instructor’s decision, the matter is dropped.
If a satisfactory solution cannot be reached between the student and the instructor, the student may submit a written grade appeal to the Training Section Chief. A grade appeal must be made within two weeks for an exam and within 30 days of grade issuance for a course. The Training Section Chief will investigate the facts of the case and make a decision in writing regarding the grade within seven days of receiving the appeal.
Normally, the decision of the Training Section Chief regarding a grade appeal is final. However, if the student still feels a satisfactory solution has not been reached, the student may submit a further written appeal to the Executive Director. Appeals to the Executive Director must be submitted within 30 days of the Training Section Chief’s decision. The Executive Director’s decision will be made in writing within seven days of receiving the appeal and will be final.
Adverse Action Appeal Procedures: Adverse actions are disciplinary actions due to a student violating student conduct policies or academic honesty standards. These can include termination, suspension, probation, or other academic penalty. An example of “other academic penalties” could be the awarding of a zero on a test or assignment or assignment of an “F” (failure) in a course. All adverse actions take effect immediately when imposed by the appropriate instructor or administrator, but they are subject to appeal. If the student disputes the basis for an adverse action, the student may appeal the action with the following procedure.
A student appealing an adverse action must submit a written statement with supporting evidence (if any) disputing the basis of the adverse action to the Executive Director. The Executive Director will investigate the facts of the case and render a final decision in writing within seven days.
If a suspension has already taken place and the course(s) is/are still ongoing and, upon appeal, reversed by the Executive Director, the Alabama Fire College will provide reasonable assistance and time for the student to make up missed material, tests, or projects, all of this being on the basis that such extra time or instruction is practical in the sole judgment of the AFC. In the event a student has already been terminated or suspended and the course(s) has/have ended, the student will be allowed to retake, at no cost, any courses that were interrupted by a termination or suspension that was reversed upon appeal.
Complaint Procedures: Every student has the right to file a grievance/complaint about any procedure at the College, any action taken by an official of the Alabama Fire College, any failure by officials to properly follow the appeals procedures outlined above, or any perceived discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, color, creed, national origin, disability, age, marital status, or sexual orientation. Grievances or complaints may be filed orally or in writing to the Executive Director or in case of his absence, the procedure listed below.
Grievances and complaints may be addressed to the senior person in the office to which the matter pertains (i.e., to the Training Section Chief, Certification Unit Leader, etc.), or they may be presented to the Executive Director.
Grievances and complaints should be filed within 15 calendar days of the occurrence of the matter about which the grievance or complaint is being made. Grievances and complaints, whether oral or written, should describe briefly, but completely, the nature of the grievance or complaint and the solution sought.
Grievances and complaints addressed to an official of the Alabama Fire College other than the Executive Director may be resubmitted to the Executive Director if the complainant is not satisfied with the resolution. In such cases, it must be in writing. The Executive Director will attempt to render a decision within seven days of receipt of the grievance/complaint, and the decision will be in writing.