Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities - Continued

Formal Grievance Procedures. If a grievance is not resolved by the informal procedure, the aggrieved student should submit a request, in writing, to the President of the college via the Dean of Students for a formal student grievance hearing. It shall set forth the nature of the grievance, the person(s) involved, and the resolution desired. It shall also include the nomination of one disinterested SGA Senator who is willing and available to serve as a member of the student grievance hearing committee.

If the request for a hearing is disapproved, the president shall state the reasons in writing. If approved, he shall appoint a student grievance hearing committee composed of the following members:

1. The SGA Senator named in the original request for the hearing or a substitute satisfactory to the grievant.

2. A college employee nominated by the Dean of Students.

3. An additional college employee who shall be nominated by mutual agreement of the other two members, who is a regular, full-time employee, and who, with the approval of the president, shall be designated chairperson. If the two members cannot agree on a nominee for chairperson, the chairperson will be appointed by the president.

4. The Dean of Students or his/her designee will serve as recording secretary to the committee but shall have no vote. If the grievance involves an equity issue, the College Equity Coordinator shall appoint a representative to serve as an advisor to the committee.

The committee shall, within seven (7) days of being constituted, meet to hear the grievance and interview such witnesses as it deems pertinent to the matter. The committee shall report its findings and recommendations for resolution of the matter, in writing, to the president within four (4) working days of the close of the hearing.

The President shall advise all pertinent parties of his action on the grievance within three (3) working days after receipt of the committee's report. The action by the President is final, except for cases of student expulsion, which may be appealed by the aggrieved student, in writing, to the Board of Trustees within three (3) working days of receipt of the decision. The decision of the Board in such matters is final.

Grievance Time Limits. A grievance must be filed in a timely fashion. If a student is filing a grievance, it must involve a specific event or incident occurring within thirty (30) days of filing the grievance. Nothing in this procedure is intended to create any due process rights nor does it entitle the individual to seek redress in any court or administrative proceeding.

Student Organizations

The college has chartered several student organizations. These include general and special interest groups, honor societies, service clubs and social groups. These organizations cover a wide variety of interests and activities. Membership is open to all students who qualify, without regard to age, color, creed, handicap, marital status, national origin, race, religion or sex, except for those particular groups which are selective on the basis of scholarship. The following groups are recognized OWCC student organizations:

African-American Student Association strives to promote black awareness and to be of service to the college and the community. Membership is open to all students.

Association of Visual Artists strives to stimulate interest in visual art and to promote various art projects for the students of OWCC and the citizens of the community.

Bacchus is the local chapter of the collegiate organization devoted to raising the consciousness of college students about the health and social problems associated with alcohol abuse. Membership is open to all students.

Baptist Student Union is open to all students for the purpose of guiding them in Christian witness and fellowship.

Creative Dramatics, Imagineers, a traveling troupe creating world folklore on stage for area elementary schools.

Delta Psi Omega is a large, national honorary fraternity whose purpose is to stimulate interest in dramatic activities.

Environmental Club is dedicated to creating awareness of the importance of protecting the environment.

Geology Club brings together people who hold a common interest in Geology, and to further that interest by means of study groups and field trips.

Jazz Singers, an auditioned, four-part mixed vocal performing ensemble limited to 16-20 members with good music-reading skills. Music studied consists of moderate to very difficult jazz arrangements of styles including blues, swing, skat, classic (early) pop, ballads, mellow gospel and original contemporary tunes.