Complaint Resolution
A general complaint may be filed when a student believes an action of a college faculty or staff member, office, or group violates existing college policies or procedures or other local, state, and federal laws. In the event of a complaint at Northeast Iowa Community College, issues should be resolved at the lowest level possible to resolve the concern quickly and to the satisfaction of those involved.
Step 1: Informal inquiry. If possible, speak or write directly to the faculty or staff member against whom you have a complaint. Be prepared to clearly articulate your concerns and the resolution you are seeking.
Step 2: If you cannot resolve the problem or are uncomfortable talking directly to the faculty or staff member you have a complaint about, talk to the department dean or director.
Step 3: If your complaint cannot be resolved through the mechanisms described above, you may file a formal complaint. The complaint will be assessed and forwarded to the appropriate vice president or executive director who will evaluate and investigate the complaint, and provide a solution and explanation in writing to the complainant within ten (10) business days.
Step 4: If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of Step 3, you may appeal. The appeal must be requested by using the Complaint Form again, select “appeal complaint decision” in the Nature of Report selection menu. The form requesting an appeal should be submitted within ten (10) business days of the response provided in Step 3. The complaint will be assigned to a college official outside of the division originally assigned to investigate the complaint. The assigned college official will review the complaint information, recommended resolution(s), and the supporting rationale and respond to the student’s request for an appeal within ten (10) business days. The decision made by the assigned college official in Step 4 is final.
*Note: All grades awarded by faculty shall be final. A student who appeals a final grade must have the burden of proof to evidence that the grade assigned was a capricious grade and may appeal the grade through the final grade appeal procedure.
Employee Complaints:
Misunderstandings, differences of opinion, or conflicts can arise in any organization. To ensure effective working relations, it is important that such matters be resolved before serious problems develop. NICC believes that a policy of open communication is best for all concerned. It is the intention of the Fair Treatment Policy to handle employee concerns as efficiently as possible. The professionals in Human Resources are available to discuss problems or complaints, to clarify policy, or to provide suggestions at any step in the process.
Students who want to file a complaint regarding access to, or quality of, their academic accommodation under Section 504 and/or the American Disabilities Act (ADA) may go through the informal process with the Accessibility Services Director, if no agreement is reached with the informal process, students may submit a written Complaint Form or contact the College’s ADA/504 Coordinator:
Kelly McMahon
Executive Director for Risk Management
Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator
8342 NICC Drive, Peosta, IA 52068
563.562.3263, ext. 2477
mcmahonke@nicc.edu or equity@nicc.edu
Notice or complaints of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation may be made using any of the following options:
NICC Contacts:
Connie Kuennen
Executive Director of Human Resources
1652 Highway 150 South, P.O. Box 400, Calmar, Iowa 52132
563.562.3263, ext. 1300
kuennenc@nicc.edu or equity@nicc.edu
Kelly McMahon
Executive Director for Risk Management
Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator
8342 NICC Drive, Peosta, IA 52068
563.562.3263, ext. 2477
mcmahonke@nicc.edu or equity@nicc.edu
Report Online: Complaint Form
External Contact:
Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building
1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582
303.844.5695, Fax: 303.844.4303, TDD: 800.877.8339
OCR.Denver@ed.gov
Because reporting carries no obligation to initiate a formal response, and because NICC respects Complainant requests to dismiss complaints unless there is a compelling threat to health and/or safety, the Complainant is largely in control and should not fear a loss of confidentiality by making a report that allows NICC to discuss and/or provide supportive measures. For more details see the College’s Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy.
Students who want to file a complaint regarding access to, or quality of, their pregnancy and/or parenting accommodations may go through the informal process with the Accessibility Services Director, if no agreement is reached with the informal process, students may submit a written Complaint Form or contact the college’s Title IX Coordinator:
Kelly McMahon
Executive Director for Risk Management
Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator
8342 NICC Drive, Peosta, IA 52068
563.562.3263, ext. 2477
mcmahonke@nicc.edu or equity@nicc.edu
Initially, a student should pursue any concern about Northeast Iowa Community College through the college’s internal complaint resolution processes. Students wishing to file complaints with the college’s accreditor may contact the Higher Learning Commission.
If a student has questions or concerns regarding their financial aid award, the Iowa Department of Education suggests students contact their school’s financial aid office first, as financial aid awards often have specific guidelines that must be followed.
The Iowa Department of Education accepts higher education student complaints from any student attending an Iowa postsecondary institution, regardless of the student's state of residency, and from an Iowa resident attending any postsecondary institution in the United States. You may contact the Bureau of Iowa College Aid, Iowa Department of Education, by filling out an online dispute form or calling 877.272.4456.
An incident of concern form is also available online to allow students, staff, visitors and community members to provide information about concerning behaviors, conduct code violations or incidents.