Grievance Procedure | SUNY Oswego

Grievance Procedure for Students

If a student disagrees with an accommodation decision made by the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR)—such as when a requested accommodation is denied or an alternative accommodation is offered—or if the student is dissatisfied with how an approved accommodation is being implemented, the student must submit a written complaint to the Director of the Office of Accessibility Resources within 10 business days of receiving the decision.

The written complaint should clearly describe the concern, include any relevant supporting information, and may request reconsideration of the accommodation decision.

Upon receipt of the complaint, the Director will conduct a secondary review of the request. This review may involve meeting with relevant parties, including the student, instructors, and treatment providers, as appropriate. Following the review, the Director will provide the student with a written response that summarizes the findings and explains the rationale for the final determination.

Students who believe they have experienced discrimination on the basis of disability, and have been unable to arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution with the designated campus contacts and appropriate personnel, may file a formal grievance with the Affirmative Action Officer. The full procedures for students wishing to file a discrimination grievance are identified in the SUNY Oswego Non-Discrimination Policy. A Formal Complaint of Alleged Discrimination must be filed within 90 calendar days following the alleged discriminatory act or 90 days after a final grade is received. The complaint must be sent directly to the Affirmative Action Officer.

Anneke McEvoy, Affirmative Action Officer

Diversity Equity and Inclusion

106A Culkin Hall

[email protected]

The complaint must include all informal actions that have been completed. Once all information is reviewed by the Affirmative Action Officer a formal complaint will be started. The Affirmative Action Officer will respond to the student within a reasonable amount of time and will work with all involved parties and the Director of Accessibility Resources and ADA Compliance Officer to provide a satisfactory resolution to the student.

External Appeals or Grievances

Although a student is encouraged to resolve complaints at either the personal level directly with faculty, or through the internal appeals or grievance process, they have the right to file a grievance with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at any time. The statute of limitations for filing a complaint with OCR is 180 days from the date of the alleged incident. Students may file a complaint as directed above and/or with the Office of Civil Rights, using OCR’s online complaint form, or via mail:

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

New York Office

U.S. Department of Education

32 Old Slip, 26th Floor

New York, NY 10005-2500

Telephone: (646) 428-3800

Fax: (646) 428-3843

E-mail: [email protected]