Rock Valley College
Rock Valley College > Student Services > Disability Services > Complaint Resolution

Complaint Resolution

Rock Valley College is committed to providing prompt and effective resolution of incidents of discrimination and harassment under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and encourages informal resolution of discrimination complaints as close to the source as possible. If a student believes that they are not receiving appropriate accommodations or that they are being treated in a discriminatory manner, they may follow the procedures listed below.

For concerns that are not related to a disability, the student should follow general RVC complaint procedures, as outlined in the RVC Student Handbook.

Informal Complaint Resolution Process

 

Step 1: Informal Process
 

Complaints specifically related to services for students with disabilities authorized by the Disability Support Services (DSS) office as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act should be initially addressed to the Accommodations Specialist: 

Cara Vande Voorde         
Office Location: Student Center, room 0112
(815) 921-2362
C.VandeVoorde@rockvalleycollege.edu

Step 2: Formal Process
 

Students are expected to first address their complaint with the Accommodations Specialist. However, if a resolution is not reached or if there is a conflict with the Accommodations Specialist, students may file a formal grievance. A grievance must be filed within fifteen (15) business days of the alleged offense and can be initiated by completing and submitting the ADA/504 Complaint Form, which is handled by the ADA Compliance Coordinator:

Dr. Deb Gilster
Office Location: WTC 2208
(815) 921-2067
Email: D.Gilster@rockvalleycollege.edu

The ADA Compliance Coordinator will initiate a formal review within five (5) business days following the submission of the grievance form. Investigations should typically be completed within 30 business days after initiation and a final written decision shall be issued to the involved parties within five (5) business days of completion of the investigation.

If the ADA Compliance Coordinator is the subject of the complaint or otherwise has a conflict of interest, the grievance shall be submitted to the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion who may appoint another administrator to conduct the investigation.

Step 3: Appeal Process


Students may contact the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office at (815) 921-4006 to appeal the determination made through the formal complaint process. Appeals must be initiated within ten (10) business days after receipt of the written decision. A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office and a copy forwarded to the student no later than 30 days after it is filed.

The only permissible grounds for appeal shall be:

  • New information was discovered, which was not available at the time of the hearing, and such evidence is likely to affect the outcome of the matter; or
  • A substantial procedural error occurred in the process, which materially affected the decision; or
  • A sanction of suspension or dismissal from the College was imposed and is not commensurate with the violation.
     

External Complaint Resolution Process

 

Although students are encouraged to utilize the College’s internal procedures which are designed to ensure a timely and effective resolution of student complaints, students may file a complaint directly with the Office for Civil Rights:

Office for Civil Rights - Chicago Office
U.S. Department of Education
Citigroup Center
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544
Telephone: (312) 730-1560
Fax: (312) 730-1576; TDD: (800) 877-8339
Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov

Confidentiality
 

Any information regarding the filing of a complaint, the investigation of a complaint, and/or the disposition of the complaint shall be handled in a confidential manner and will be disclosed only as needed. Unauthorized breaches of confidentiality may result in disciplinary action.

Retaliation
 

No College community member shall discriminate against any individual because that individual has opposed any act or practice made unlawful by the applicable laws, or because that individual submitted a complaint or charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under any applicable law or this procedure.