Grievance Process
Skyline College is committed to an educational environment that is free from interference and disruption and fosters equity and mutual respect. Skyline College complies with Federal regulations designed to provide equitable treatment of all students regardless of race, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability (see Title IX of the Education Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American Disabilities Act of 1992).
The Skyline College online catalog contains detailed information on students' rights and responsibilities.
The following is a summary of these policies with links to the offical policies as written in the Skyline College Catalog:
Summary of the Student Code of Conduct
Students enrolled at Skyline College are expected to conduct themselves as responsible citizens and in a manner compatible with an educational institution. Violators shall be subject to disciplinary action. The Student Code of Conduct is essentially a list of prohibited actions, including but not limited to: disruptive, violent, harassing or threatening behavior; dishonesty such as cheating or plagiarism; theft; forgery; and unlawful use of or being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Summary of Disciplinary Procedures
The Disciplinary Officer appointed by the college President investigates the alleged violation(s) by the student and decides whether to pursue an Administrative Conference or a Student Disciplinary Hearing.
At an Administrative Conference, the Disciplinary Officer either dismisses charges or notifies the student of further disciplinary actions. At this meeting, the student may request a Student Disciplinary Hearing.
At a Student Disciplinary Hearing, the student appears before a Disciplinary Board including a student, a faculty member, a staff member, and a Judicial Officer. The Disciplinary Board weighs the presented evidence of the alleged violation(s) and submits a recommendation to the Disciplinary Officer, who reviews the Disciplinary Board's recommendation and then sends his or her written decision to the student.
The decision may include a variety of actions and directives to reduce the likelihood of repeating prohibited behavior. The student may appeal the decision.
Note: College Disciplinary Procedures are not intended to substitute for criminal or civil procedures.
Summary of Disciplinary Actions
Students charged with misconduct may be subject to one or more the following sanctions: an oral warning, a written reprimand, disciplinary probation, restitution, removal from classes, suspension, or expulsion.
Summary of Grievances
Skyline College is committed to the ideal that all students should have recourse from unfair and improper action on the part of any member of the College Community.
A student may file a grievance or appeal if they believe they are the victim of unjust action or denied their rights as a student. Students may appeal disciplinary decisions, grade grievances, unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment.
Academic (Excluding Grade) and Non-Academic Grievances
Initially, the student shall attempt to resolve the dispute informally with the appropriate
staff member at the point of initial decision. If the dispute is not resolved, the
student may initiate a formal appeal with the Vice President of Student Services and
must do so within one (1) year. The student may further appeal, in order, to the President,
the Chancellor, and the Board of Trustees.
Grade Grievances
Initially, the student shall attempt to resolve the grade dispute informally with
the instructor. If the dispute is not resolved, the student may initiate a grade grievance
with the appropriate division dean. If the grievance is not resolved at the division
dean level, the student may appeal to the Vice President of Instruction, whose decision
is final. There is a deadline of one (1) year from the date that the grade is posted
for a student to initiate a grade change.
Parking Citation Appeals
Parking citations may be contested by completing a request online at http://www.pticket.com/csm/.
Sexual Harassment
Skyline College does not tolerate sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct includes (but is not limited to) sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, cyber-stalking, bullying and cyber-bullying, and retaliation. If you have been a victim of sexual misconduct, you can get help and make a report. As a recipient of federal funds, Skyline College is subject to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities.
Nondiscrimination
Skyline College has a policy of providing an educational and employment environment in which no person shall be unlawfully subjected to discrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, sex, race, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or physical or mental disability in any program or activity that is administered by, funded directly by, or that receives any financial assistance from the State Chancellor or Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
Non-Categorized Complaints
Most complaints, grievances or disciplinary matters should be resolved at the campus/district level. If a complaint does not fall into one of the categories above, the complaint should be addressed in writing to the college President at the following address:
Dr. Melissa Moreno, President3300 College Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
Individuals are strongly encouraged to make every attempt to resolve matters through the appropriate administrative processes. Matters that are not resolved internally may be processed by using the following agencies in the order described below.
Contact the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) if your complaint is associated with the institution's compliance with academic program quality and accrediting standards. ACCJC is the agency that accredits the academic programs of the California Community Colleges.
If your complaint does not concern the California Community College's compliance with academic program quality and accrediting standards, you may contact the California Community College Chancellor's Office by completing this web form.