GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

There are two procedures in place to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

1. Informal Complaint Procedure. Students are encouraged to first attempt to resolve any problems, concerns, or complaints they might have by contacting DACC ADA Coordinator G. Lawrence Sharp, room 117 (voice-and-message telephone: 527-7545; TTY, 527-7647). Dr. Sharp, who has been designated to coordinate ADA compliance efforts at DACC, oversees this informal complaint procedure. The student will be advised as to options available, which may include the use of mediation, a letter to the professor, a telephone call, or another method amenable to the student. A written confidential record will be retained of the final outcome at the DACC ADA Coordinator’s office.



2. Formal Grievance Procedure. In most cases it is faster and simpler to address the problem at the community college level; however, some students may feel it necessary to take their concerns to Director of Institutional Equity/EEO, New Mexico State University. The Institutional Equity/EEO office can be reached at 646-3635 (TTY 646-7802). The formal grievance procedure requires that the student complete and file the New Mexico State University EEO Grievance Form within ten working days of the occurrence. (Note: The ten-day filing period may be extended by written request to the EEO Office—with consent from the student—to allow time to complete the informal process at DACC.) Forms are available in room. 117, DACC.

These foregoing procedures are made available to: (a) protect the substantive due process rights of students with disabilities; and (b) assure that DACC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

For further information, contact:

Dr. G. Lawrence Sharp
DACC ADA Coordinator
Room 117
Voice: 527-7545
TTY: 527-7647
E-mail: lsharp@nmsu.edu

Gerard Nevarez
Director
Institutional Equity/EEO
O'Laghlin House, NMSU
Voice: 646-3635
TTY:646-7802
E-mail: equity@nmsu.edu