UFCD Advanced & Graduate Students: 
Grievance Policy

A grievance is defined as dissatisfaction when a resident believes that any decision, act or condition affecting his or her program of study is arbitrary, illegal, unjust or creates unnecessary hardship. Such grievance may concern, but is not limited to, the following: academic progress, mistreatment by any University employee or student, wrongful assessment of fees, records and registration errors, discipline (other than nonrenewal or dismissal) and discrimination because of race, national origin, sex, marital status, religion, age, veteran's status, or disability, subject to the exception that complaints of sexual harassment will be reviewed by the appropriate supervisory authority.

(a) Prior to invoking the grievance procedures described herein, the resident is strongly encouraged to discuss his or her grievance with the person(s) alleged to have caused the grievance. The discussion should be held as soon as the resident becomes aware of the act or conditions that is the basis for the grievance. In addition, or alternatively, the resident may wish to present his or her grievance in writing to the person(s) alleged to have caused the grievance. In either situation, the person(s) alleged to have caused the grievance might respond orally or in writing to the resident.

(b) If a resident decides against discussing the grievance with the person(s) alleged to have caused such, or if the resident is not satisfied with the response, he or she may present the grievance to the Program Director or Departmental Chair. If, after discussion, the grievances cannot be resolved, the resident may contact the Assistant Dean for Advanced and Graduate Education (ADAEG). The ADAEG will meet with the resident and will review the grievance. The decision of the ADAEG will be communicated in writing to the resident and constitute the final action.